New information is emerging on pets and aromatherapy massage. One must heed more caution with animals than when using essential oils than with humans. For one thing animals skin absorbs oils at a different rate than human skin.
Essential Oils that have been found helpful when working with animals to confront everything from flea control to depression includes: Lavender, Tea Tree, Chamomile, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Juniper, Geranium, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Sweet Orange and Eucalyptus.
The Essential Oil to AVOID ON PET IS: PENNYROYAL. This is too strong in undiluted form.
FLEA and TICK CONTROL:
Dried herbs and essential oils can be very effective in shielding your animal from fleas and ticks. I have seen a full blown tick drop off of a dog onto the floor with just a single drop of undiluted tea tree oil, when applied directly to tick. Also cleaning pet bedding with pure essential oils help repel varmints.
PET POWDER
2 drops Juniper Oil
2 drops Lavender Oil
1/2 cup arrowroot OR cornstarch OR clay OR baking soda OR any equal parts of these
Directions:
Combine the arrowroot and essential oils. Crushing the clumps of oils between your fingers to evenly distribute them. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the pure essential oils to avoid any contact with eyes or delicate mucous membranes.
Sprinkle on pet as a preventive powder.
HERBAL BUG REPELLENT PILLOW
You can make a bug repellent pillow for a cat or dog by adding equals amounts of Lavender flowers, Cedarwood chips and Pennyroyal herb (NOT THE OIL), to the stuffing of a pillow or small homemade pet mattress.
If you are substituting essential oils for the dried herbs, us ONLY 5 drops TOTAL to pillow or mattress and again AVOID PENNYROYAL OIL.
I know that Penny royal oil is used in many animals recipes but I feel that it is too strong to be used directly on an animal.
Also AVOID using Citrus Oils. While they are an ingredient in many flea repellents, they are used highly diluted. I once witnessed a small kitten go into convulsions after an unsuspecting owner applied orange oil to its fur. I would not use pure essential oils on young kittens and dogs. I tend to use homeopathy with my cats and seldom have the need to use essential oils on them.
PETS BATH WATER:
Pure essential oils may be added in small amounts to a pet's bath water. About 8 drops of essential oils to 2 gallons of water. These oils work well: Lavender, Juniper,
Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Peppermint or Tea Tree.
**CAUTION: ALWAYS CONSULT A VETERINARIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TREAT A PET'S POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONDITION ON YOUR OWN***
Source: The Essential Oils Book by Colleen Dodt 1996
