Do you use essential oils? They’re amazing, aren’t they?
A post in a Facebook Group sparked me writing this short post for you. In this Facebook Group post a dog owner explained that her dog was experiencing strange behaviour and anxiety after she came home one day and her dog didn’t recognise her. This was going on for a day or two until she switched off her oil diffuser. She then realised that it was the diffuser that was making her dog behave this way. She ended up at the vet, and she was just in time. The dog is well again…
After reading this, I felt a strong pull to share with you my experience with essential oils and the best way to use essential oils for your pet, so you avoid a trip to the vet! The last few years has seen a strong upward trend in the usage of essential oils for ourselves and our families. We use them on our skin, inhale them or diffuse them around the house. We mix them in our lotions and make our own soaps and cleaning products. I love this!
I personally have been using oils for years and they are my go-to for overall wellbeing for mind, body and spirit. I even have them in my bag as my first aid kit and I make my own body wash, shampoo and house cleaning product with them!
Most of us believe that using the oils is always healthy and a great alternative way to create a beautiful atmosphere around the house by diffusing them…without realising that our animal friends are not always happy with them…
Today I am sharing with you that we have to be very careful with using essential oils. On top of that, we need to make sure we always use quality, preferably organic, high (therapeutic) grade oils. I say this because some oils are extremely potent and some can be dangerous to animals, but also to people with allergies. You can find these types of oils by searching for highly qualified or certified aroma therapists, or for example, by exploring doTERRA, Young Living or Springfields, to name a few familiar brands.
To the best of my knowledge and from what I have learned using the oils over the years, I know that doing the research before using essential oils is vital. I can’t stress enough for you to know exactly what type of oil you are using, the qualities they have and how to use the oils. Not just for yourself, but more importantly for your animal friends.
I research a variety of sources via the internet, connecting with essential oils experts and books that I read. However, I also research other sources via the internet and books that I read. Even though I know what to do etc., I still double check if the oils I want to use are appropriate for my dogs and all other animals I work with.
In addition to finding out if the oils are okay to use, you will also need to always dilute the oils when using on animals. You can dilute them with almond oil, coconut oil or any other low scent natural oil. Animal skin and bodies respond differently than the bodies of us, humans, so we always need to be extra careful. But even for our skin, we always need to test the oils or dilute them (and this is most of the time!)
Humans can even digest some oils, but that is certainly never the case for animals! Animals can only use safe oils externally.
Mostly, oils are used for diffusing into the air or for steaming purposes when we have a cold or a flu. A great way to use them!
Other ways to use and apply oils for both humans and animals can be by mixing it with a gel, body lotion, or liquid soap for washing and cleaning purposes or water and alcohol for making sprays for fragrance or cleaning surfaces.
Here are some favourite helpful resources, so you can start doing your research:
Mobile Apps:
Modern Essentials (for humans)
Sp-oil your Pet
Aroma therapy for horses
Books:
Living Healthy & Happily Ever After – by Rebecca Linder Hintze and Dr Susan Lawton (this book is my bible for humans)
Modern Essentials – www.aromatools.com
Essential Oils for Animals – Nayana Morag (the best book I found to use for animals)
Emotions & Essential Oils – by enlightenhealing.com (fantastic book, which is also accompanied by an aroma therapy wheel)
Otherwise, there is always Google! 😀
So there you have it; my tips and suggestions on using essential oils, based on personal usage. If in doubt, always refer to a qualified aroma therapist, as oils are not to be messed around with! But they smell so nice and are extremely powerful for healing, lifting up the energy and so much more!
Here’s to safe and proper use of essential oils for you, your pet and the rest of your family!
In love & light,
Bianca
*I would like to disclose that I am a Wellness Consultant for doTERRA International in Australia.
