ANIMAL AROMATHERAPY
What is animal aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a therapy where essential oils are extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, stems, seeds, or fruit of a plant. The oils are then either inhaled (from the bottle or a diffuser) or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed into the skin. The same method is used for animal aromatherapy. The use of aromatherapy dates back to Egypt, over 5,000 years ago. Documented veterinary remedies date back to the 18th century. Many massage practitioners offer aromatherapy by applying the oils to your body during a massage. Some animal massage practitioners offer this option for your animals, also.
What are the benefits of animal aromatherapy?
Animal aromatherapy can help you prevent and treat illness in your pet. Essential oils are considered antiseptic, antimicrobial, detoxifying, and rejuvenating. They can help your pet with emotional issues such as anxiety, nervousness, stress, and those that are hormone related. They can help your pet with physical issues such as skin problems, joint conditions, digestive problems, respiratory conditions, circulatory problems, and parasites. They can also help to improve your pet's immune system and resistance to disease.
Some animal aromatherapy oils that are more commonly used are:
Lavender (Langustifolia) has a calming effect and is helpful with joint conditions, and respiratory and skin problems, including insect bites.
Rose (Rosa damascena) has a strengthening emotional effect, helps to remove heat and inflammation, and is also helpful with skin conditions.
Myrhh (Commiphora myrrha) has a relaxing quality and is helpful with congestion, lethargy, inflammation, and skin conditions.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) as an anti-depressive quality and is helpful with fever, parasites, and digestive problems. If you apply it to your pet's skin, do not let them outside that day because sun light can burn their skin for up to 12 hours.
What are some animal aromatherapy precautions?
It is best not to use essential oils on birds, small dogs, kittens, puppies and small animals because their bodies are unable to handle them. Using oils on these animals can cause them to be sick or possibly die.
NEVER APPLY ESSENTIALOILS WITHOUT CLEAR PERMISSION FROM THE ANIMAL!
Allow them to smell EACH oil before EACH application. To apply oils without offering them first is at best annoying (imagine being smothered in a perfume you hated with no way to wash it off) and at worst dangerous as it is much more likely to provoke an adverse reaction.
Dilute essential oils well in good quality base oil (e.g. Sunflower oil) before use. 3 drops to 5 mls is the highest recommended dilution.
If you allow your animal to guide you in the application the likelihood of having an adverse reaction is extremely low but in the unlikely event of your animal showing a reaction such as skin rashes, hives, or shortness of breath discontinue use immediately and contact a professional therapist for advice.
Never leave essential oils bottles within reach of animals, horses have been known to eat them!
Know about the oil you are offering as some oils have side-effects (such as bergamot which is photo-toxic and can burn skin badly if exposed to sunlight within twelve hours of application).
Essential oils are potent chemicals albeit natural and should be treated with respect. Always check with your vet and a qualified Essential Oil for Animals Therapist before applying. Remember, 'Natural' doesn't mean non-toxic and safe use requires knowledge.
DO NOT USE THE OILS FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE even if your animal still shows interest.
Cats are highly sensitive to essential oils as their liver has a very limited ability to metabolize them. It is always better to have professional guidance when using essential oils with cats.
An alternative to animal aromatherapy with essential oils is hydrosols (also called hydrolates, floral water, distillate water), a by-product of essential oils that are created from the water that is left after producing the essential oil through water distillation or steam. Hydrosols are thought to be the safest to use on cats, small dogs, puppies, young horses, and animals that are ill. Even though they are diluted, they still have wonderful healing properties because they contain the essence of the plants. They are also more affordable than essential oils, making them a great choice for animal aromatherapy.
Some people are concerned about using essential oils on pregnant animals because of hormonal changes, especially during their 1st and 3rd trimesters. Also, some oils may cause a miscarriage due to the properties of those oils, such as clary sage, sage, majoram, cinnamon, basil, fennel, ylang ylang, and thyme. Many people believe hydrosols should be used instead.
If you have an animal that is involved in competitions where they may be tested for illegal substances, you should avoid using strong oils such as mint and eucalyptus and any oils containing phenol (such as bergamot, lemongrass, clove, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme), thymol, menthol, or camphor (such as cedarwood, majoram, and rosemary) at least a week before the competition.
Know the possible side effects of any oil, especially if you apply it to your pet's skin. Overdosing of oils can cause your pet to become very ill and even be fatal.
How does animal aromatherapy work?
Animal aromatherapy can effect your pet mentally, emotionally, and physically. The essential oil or hydrosol is inhaled by your pet or rubbed into their skin. When your pet's nose senses the oil, the molecules of the oil are sent as electrical impulses which are processed in the part of their brain where memories and emotions are stored. Because of this, your pet's body releases chemicals such as serotonin, which has a calming effect, noradrenaline, which stimulates and rejuvenates, and endorphins, which help relieve pain.
After the molecules are processed by the brain, they enter the bloodstream and make their way throughout your pet's body. If the oils are rubbed in, the molecules are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream that way.
How is animal aromatherapy administered?
You can select some essential oils or hydrosols that you think would be beneficial for your pet based on their physical, mental, or emotional condition. Most companies that sell aromatherapy products will have general information regarding the effects of a particular oil or hydrosol. Since these companies are creating their products for people, you will need to determine how the effects could relate to your pet.
When trying an essential oil or hydrosol with your pet, you can open the bottle and let them smell it by placing it under their nose, then slowly take the bottle away. If they do not seem interested or turn their head away, try another kind. Look for signs of interest in the animal aromatherapy such as licking, chewing, snorting, curling their lip, or trying to follow the bottle. You can also use muscle response testing to see which oil is the right one for your pet. Hold the bottle against your pet's neck or withers and hold your other arm out straight. Have another person push down your arm with some pressure while you are resisting. If your arm remains firm, the oil is the right one. If you arm goes down several inches or more, this is not the right oil. If your arm goes down just slightly, this oil could help your pet but there may be a better choice.
When you determine which oil(s) your pet is interested in, you will want to combine the oil with either a cold-pressed vegetable oil or aloe vera gel (this is called a carrier, base, or fixed oil) in a small bottle. A suggested dose is 2-3 drops of oil for every millilitre (ml) of oil or gel for a horse and 1 drop to 5ml for dogs. You can get various sizes of millilitre syringes at your local feed store to help you figure out the measurements. Some people prefer to use one drop of oil for every 2-3 tablespoons of carrier oil. When you and your pet are ready, you can let your pet inhale the oil from the bottle or diffuser or you can rub it on the area of the body you think is needed. It is best not to offer more than 3 oils or hydrosols to your pet at one time.
Animal aromatherapy has helped many pets but with any new product, you should monitor your pet. If your pet is on any medication or you have any concerns, you can check with your vet prior to offering essential oils or hydrosols. Please see the disclaimer. If you have any concerns after you offer animal aromatherapy, consult your vet.
When seeking assistance regarding health or behavioral challenges with your animal, a visit with your Veterinarian should always be your first choice to eliminate the possibility of a physical problem.
Animal Communication, Essential Oils and Reiki should not be considered substitutes for Veterinary treatment or diagnosis, but as a way to compliment and possibly increase effectiveness of traditional and non-traditional methods.