X Online Chat
close window

Essential Oils and Pets

Guide for use of essential oils and your pets

oils and pets 1

Animals are usually more sensitive to essential oils than humans.

  • To start using essential oils on your pets you should use in moderation and dilute the essential oils heavily.
  • All animals will react differently to the essential oil so you should observe closely how that animal is responding
  • to the essential oil. Use your judgement in the method you are using.
  • Be very careful to not get the essential oil in the animal’s eyes.
  • Avoid using high phenol oils with all animals and do not use at all on cats.
  • Use extra special caution in using essential oils on cats.
 
oils and pets 2

The animal's size affects the amount of oil you should use.

  • The smaller animals like cats and small dogs, use 3–5 drops and be sure to dilute 80–90 percent prior to application (for example, for every 1 drop of oil, use 4–5 drops of a diluting agent, such as V-6 vegetable oil complex, coconut oil, jojoba or grapeseed oil.
  • For the larger animals, like large dogs, start with 3–5 drops. Please be sure to dilute to the rate of 1 drop to 4-5 drops of a dilution agent, such as V-6 vegetable oil complex, coconut oil, jojoba or grapeseed oil.
  • For very large animals, like horses and cattle, start with 10 drops. Your dilution rate is still going to be 4-5 drops of a dilution agent, such as V-6 vegetable oil complex, coconut oil, jojoba or grapeseed oil. On the very large animals, with certain oils, there is no dilution necessary but a skin test should be done first.
 
oils and pets 3

Application of oils to animals

  • Start by wearing oils around your animals, diffuse in their space, or apply to your hands and let the animal smell them.
  • Try applying an oil to yourself and staying near the animal for several minutes so it can get used to the aroma, to help ease uneasiness and being jittery around the new smell of essential oils.
  • For hoofed animals a great place to apply essential oils is on the spine or flank of the animals.
  • For cats and dogs, apply the essential oil to the paws.
  • Try rubbing oils onto your own hands and then stroking the animal’s fur.
  • For large areas or areas that are hard to reach you can use your diluted blend in a spray bottle. When using a spray bottle you can dilute your oils with water instead of a carrier oil.
Disclaimer: Alternative therapies are not meant to replace the care your veterinarian can provide. Alternative therapies is a tool to help in the healing process. All have a choice and a path on this earth and not all will choose to heal. It is absolutely THEIR choice and wishes. There is no guarantee of success in any of the healing arenas.