Pampering Pets with Aromatherapy

In today’s culture, pet owners are trying their best to improve the way beloved pets live. No more smelly chemicals that can irate skin and eyes. Pet owners have found a new outlet for their need to add comfort to the lives of their pets. These new products are the essential oils of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is an alternative treatment philosophy that uses liquid plant material to affect either health or mood of the subject. These days the subject is often your pet.

No need to use smelly flea sprays ever again. No more harsh shampoos that wash their fur but don’t really help the luster or shine of their coats. Now there are shampoos made of essential oils that will clean them, pamper them and leave them looking like they just left your favorite spa, while at the same time smelling wonderful.

While we all know that grooming is a very important part of your dogs health aromatherapy can show you a different way to insure your pet is not only healthy and well groomed, but fresh smelling and itch free all done without chemicals. Nothing need ever touch their bodies again that isn’t one hundred percent natural. You can find everything from shampoos and conditioners to sprays that will improve the way your dog looks and feels.

There are many sprays that can naturally repel fleas and ticks without the chemical smells that your dog has had to deal with in the past. These old sprays have often been the cause of dry skin and irritation. No more. Your dog, with the help of eucalyptus, lavender or fir needle, to name but a few, will no longer suffer from fleas, will soothe irritated areas or hydrate dry skin. As well, some essential oils will calm the dog that suffers the fear of rainstorms or vet visits.

Cats are another matter and care must be taken when deciding on using aromatherapy on your feline companions. The essential oils that pamper your dog can kill your cat. This is because a cat’s body cannot metabolize the essential oils the way a dog or even human can. Their skin in thinner and so absorbs faster causing toxicity buildup. Their livers cannot handle this and so the very products that we hoped would offer them good health instead poison them.

Therefore, the plants must be handled differently to make the products that lavish comfort and fragrances for cats. They must be diluted more than the essential oils are and so become instead hydrosols. These are safe to use on cats. They offer the same benefits and are used as antiseptics, for skin care or as ear cleaners and soothers. For example lavender can be used for burns or calming. Rose is good for skin irritations and rashes. Remember that cats dislike strong smells. So that which entices your dog can be a major turn off to your cat. But mix a few together and you wind up with gentle scents even your cat will enjoy. Also, this milder form can be used not only for cats, but for puppies, kittens, rabbits and ferrets as well.

Horses can also benefit from the wonderful properties of aromatherapy. Many owners discover after bringing their new horse home that the animal has some odd behaviors. They may be head shy, trailer shy or just plain hard to deal with. This can often be a symptom of abuse at the hands of their last owner. Essential oils can go a long way to alleviating some of these issues and adding to the mental and emotional well being of the animal. Frankincense, Bergamot and Chamomile all contribute to a more relaxed and laid back horse. Sweet orange will give it the feeling of self-assurance. Others like basil or lemon contribute to the animal’s improved focus.

Usually nothing more than a few moments to inhale the calming scent will make a difference but if the horse needs more simply apply it to the animal’s chest or put it on a tissue that you wear in your pocket while working with your horse.

Aromatherapy used correctly can be a wonderful tool to making your pet a happier healthier creature.