Essential Oils for Pets

Essential oils for pets?

Really?

Yes. And it's not just a way to dote on pampered pets, either.

I know... when you think of what essential oils are used for, pets don't normally come to mind.

But essential oils are an ideal way to care for domestic animals.


Why use essential oils for pets?

We have to keep in mind our animal friends face many of the same vulnerabilities we do as humans. Particularly when it comes to food quality and environmental toxins.

For example, just as much of the food available to us is high in calories but low in enzymes and nutrition, so is much of the food that our pets are likely to consume.

The bodies of our pets have to cope with food that's been genetically modified and altered by hormones, too.

Well... due to their pure, organic compounds, essential oils can be the ideal way to support the health of pets.

For one, animals – like humans – have a dependency on plant life... which is the source of essential oils.

Also, the heightened sense of smell found in animals makes them well suited to be helped by aromatic oils.

It just needs to be remembered that because of this increased sensitivity to smell, animals do not need the same amount of oils as people do!


Guidelines for Using Essential Oils with Pets
and Other Animals

For the most part, the same guidelines that apply to humans apply to animals as well. 

But there are some specific areas that stand out when using essential oils with pets.

  • It's generally advisable to dilute essential oils with a quality vegetable oil when using them with animals.
  • Start slow, and gradually increase a pet's exposure to essential oils as they adapt.
  • It's a good idea to test an animals reaction to any oils with a small amount first.
  • Oils typically regarded as safe for animals include: lavender, helichrysm, frankincense, clary sage, elemi, geranium, roman chamomile, rosemary, valarian, and others.
  • Be aware, some animals – particularly cats – can be sensitive to oils high in phenol, monoterpene, and and ketone contents.
  • Only use high quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Just as you would for a person.
  • It is possible for an animal to experience a 'detoxification process' as essential oils work to cleanse the system.

In addition to these guidelines, always use common sense in applying essential oils.

Your veterinarian may have some special guidelines to recommend for your pet also.


Essential Oil Applications for Pets

While many of the applications used with humans carry over to animals, several comments about applying essential oils to animals are in order.

First, most animals are agreeable to diffusing essential oils.

This can be done with a common ultrasonic diffuser, and even a nebulizing diffuser when the animal has adapted to higher concentrations of oils.

Second, an easy application when a diffuser is not handy is spritzing or misting.

All this takes is adding some essential oil to water in a quality spray bottle.

Third, petting is a natural way to apply essential oils to an animal.

With small pets, cupping the hands with oils on them and placing them around the animal may be effective.

Fourth, the bottom of the paws or feet -- as well as the tips of the ears -- can be a great places to apply essential oils to many animals.

Just be sure and start out with a small amount to see how your animal reacts.

Fifth, the raindrop technique that is practiced on humans can also be applied to animals, with some modifications.

And Finally, there are also some internal applications that work well with animals.

This can be as easy as adding some essential oils to a pet's food or water.



I always recommend people learn all they can about their particular pet.

That's because the best applications will vary depending on whether we're talking about cats or dogs or birds or even exotic pets.

It is true that using essential oils for pets may take a little getting used to... both for the pet and the pet owner.

But it should be remembered...

For may years in the past, essential oils were really the only thing available to support animals with their health.

So, the fact that essential oils are being used more frequently with animals is not something we should view as odd. It's something we should welcome.


Return from Essential Oils for Pets to Family Essential Oils HOME