How to use Aromatherapy with dogs:
Dogs have 200 million scent receptors in their nasal folds, we have 50 million. Never offer undiluted oils to dogs!
Dilute each essential oil you have chosen individually by adding 1-2 drops to 5 mls of base oil. Do not offer more than three oils at any one time to a dog.
Choose a quiet time when you and your dog can concentrate on the oils (not before being fed or directly after feeding) Take each bottle one at a time and hold the open oil bottle firmly in your hand leaving only the top exposed so the animal cannot take it from your hand. Hold the bottle about 3 feet away from your dog's nostrils, moving it slowly towards him until you can see his nose twitching or some other sign that they are in a comfortable range to smell the oils. Some animals will want to come towards the bottle, possibly even lick it, others will want to stay at a safe distance and simply smell it. The oil in the bottle is evaporating as it is open so the animal is actually absorbing the affects even if it is a little distance from the bottle. If you move the bottle backwards and forwards you will notice if the animal is following the smell or not. When the animal has had enough of the oil it will move away from you or display in its own unique way that it has had enough!
If the dog rolls over rub a tiny amount of the oil on its tummy avoiding genital areas. If the dog tries to eat the bottle then put your open hand firmly on the bottle top, tip the bottle up so a little oil is on the palm of your hand and allow the animal to lick it off your hand. You can repeat this procedure up to three times in a session.
It is important to assess the response to each oil before applying them, never apply them if the animal shows no interest!
Signs of a keen interest: smelling intently for a long time, licking the lips or trying to lick the bottle, follows you around with the aroma, rolls on its back. (offer twice a day)
Signs of a moderate interest: A few sniffs then looks away, a small sniff but returns to the bottle, tongue licks quickly, easily distracted from the aromas, (offer once a day)
No interest: turns away from the aroma, one sniff and no further interest, tries to leave the room. ( Do not apply)
If the animal shows no interest in the oil offer the oils again the next day, if there is still no interest skip a day, if there is still no interest leave it for three days and then try again. If at this stage there is still no interest the animal no longer needs that oil.
Usually an animal will want to use the oils for between 3 - 10 days however sometimes one application will be enough or occasionally an animal will want them for longer, DO NOT USE THE OILS FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. By the time an animal refuses the oils you will see a noticeable improvement in its condition.
The success of this method relies on allowing the animal to guide its own healing it will indicate to you how often and in which way it would like the oils to be used.