Petpourri
Pets and Essential Oils
Diffusing a Hot Topic
By Hana Haatainen-Caye
You’re at the dog park with Jake and overhear some people chatting about essential oils.
“Well, I never thought she’d be up and running around like this again,” the woman who accompa-
nied the Fox Terrier to the park states. “I’m so thankful I found out about yarrow. But you have to
use the deep blue yarrow to effectively treat the arthritis.”
“Oh, I’ll have to try that,” the woman with the lab mix says. “I’ve been using lavender oil to keep the
fleas at bay.”
Despite conflicting opinions on the safety and effectiveness of essential oils and pets, many have had
success using them on their animals. It’s of the utmost importance, though, that you are versed in
the different kinds of oils, their application and the potential hazards you may encounter when con-
sidering them for your pet. You should always consult your veterinarian with any questions you may
have before using them on your furry friend.
Why Oils?
Essential oils have been used for centuries in Egypt, both on animals and in humans. Today, they
are being used for a variety of issues, from minor allergies to anxiety, weight loss and keeping pests
at bay, to more serious conditions like cancer. Some of the oils used for various ailments include:
• Carrot seed, cedarwood, helichrysum, marjoram and myrrh for skin conditions and dryness
• Cedarwood, geranium, lavender, marjoram and peppermint for flea and tick control
• Cardamom, chamomile, ginger and spearmint for digestion issues
• Chamomile, clary sage and lavender for anxiety and separation anxiety
• Ginger, helichrysum, peppermint and yarrow for arthritis and hip dysplasia
• Geranium for ear infections
• Myrrh for allergies
• Spearmint for weight loss
• Frankincense for cancer
Purity Matters
May/June 2018
One of the most important things to consider when choosing oils for your pet is the integrity
of their ingredients. Be cautious of labels. While terms like 'therapeutic grade' and 'food grade'
are used to describe oils, these claims are not approved by the FDA or any designated group so
you’ll want to check with a skilled veterinarian on oils best for animal use. Purity matters when
it comes to essential oils. Less expensive brands found at some drug and big box stores may
contain fillers and lower-grade oils, things which can put your pet at risk. Never use oils you
don’t know the origin of.
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