Aromatherapy & Animals

Using essential oils and hydrosols with your pets

Pets can benefit from the use of essential oils as well! One thing to keep in mind is that an animal’s sense of smell can be much more sensitive than a human’s (dogs are thought to have 20 times the olfactory receptors of a human!).

Essential oils can help to discourage fleas, ticks and other annoying parasites as well as help to heal wounds, burns, and treat colds and flu. In caged animals or animals in stalls, essential oils can be used to clean and disinfect these living areas. Dried herbs (crushed up and mixed with regular bedding material) and essential oils (when mixed with the cage cleaning water) used on the floor of rabbit, hamster and gerbil cages will keep away flies and maggots.

Peppermint essential oil (approx 15 drops) diluted in a bucket of water makes a great final rinse in your horse’s stall if you have problems with mice.

Citronella essential oil dotted onto your pet’s brush before use will deter fleas. Be aware that a cat’s liver functions differently than other animals, so essential oils should NEVER be used directly upon a cat. You can create a spray of 5 drops of essential oil to 30mls of water and spray on the cat’s bedding.

If your pet comes home with a small cut or bite, bathe the area with a solution of salt water that has had added to it 2 drops of Thyme essential oil. Once the wound has been thoroughly rinsed, apply 1 drop of Lavender essential oil, neat.

*This is educational information and any opinions expressed here-in do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.*

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