Animals are special because they live in the present and exude an air of happiness, innocence and unconditional love to their people. Our pets love us just as much as we love them.
But sometimes an animal comes into our life that is a bit “out there!”
For instance, the dog that has an irrational fear of rain and won’t for the life of him go outside to potty during a rain shower. Or the cat who hides for hours when a friend comes over. Or, how about the dog with attachment issues that destroys the house while you’re at work? Any of these sound familiar?
My cat’s, Sammie and Max, love to hang out on our screened-in patio. But whenever the garbage truck comes rolling in, they flee for their lives!
Your animals’ fears might sound crazy to us, but they are completely real for your animal.
Applying essential oils to our pets can help lessen their anxieties.
Animals have heightened scenes and because of this, they respond very well to the use of essential oils. In the wild, animals know which plants will heal them. But, in captivity, they don’t have access to healing plant life. Applying essential oils to our animal friends gives them the ability to heal their ailments and make life (in captivity) more tolerable.
The three best essential oils to calm your pets are:
Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Peace & Calming
These essential oils can be used to support your animal with; fear of rain and thunderstorms, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, trauma/abuse, depression, Illness, trips to the vet’s office, grief/loss of another family pet and any other situation that causes great stress for your animal, such as garbage trucks!
Please know that less is more when applying essential oils to animals. Animals are very sensitive.
You should also dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil, such as organic olive oil, found in most grocery stores. The dilution ratio for dogs and horses is 1 part essential oil with 1 part carrier oil. For cats the dilution ratio is 1 part essential oil to 10 parts carrier oil.
Please take caution when using essential oils with cats. Cats are extremely sensitive to essential oils and some essential oils are potentially dangerous for them. These oils include oregano and thyme, which are high in phenols. Cats can’t effectively digest phenols because they lack the proper enzymes to digest phenols. Please avoid Peace & Calming with your feline friends as it does contain small amounts of phenols and also citrus oils, which cats don’t like. But, Roman chamomile and lavender essential oils are very safe for use on cats.
How to apply essential oils on dogs, horses and cats:
To help calm your dog: Mix 1 drop of lavender, Roman chamomile or Peace & Calming essential oil with 1 drop of an organic olive oil. Then, rub this mixture into your dog’s pads, ears or through the fur anytime he/she is having anxiety.
To calm your horse: Mix together 1 drop of lavender, peace & calming or Roman chamomile essential oil with one drop of organic olive oil. Rub this onto your horse’s cornet bands, tips of the ears or on their muzzle. Apply at any time that your horse is in distress.
For calming cats: Mix 1 drop Lavender or Roman Chamomile essential oil with 10 drops carrier oil. Rub this mixture on your cat’s pads, ears or comb through their fur. Apply any time your cat is stressed.
All of the essential oils listed in this article are excellent for human use, as well! Simply apply a drop or two (undiluted) to your wrists, behind your ears or on your shoulders.
Try sharing some lavender essential oil with your pets the next time you open up a bottle. They’ll thank you for it!
2008 Christa McCourt
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