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Oily Pets 101

By: Jacqueline Merville, C.A.

January 30, 2018

Essential Oil do's and don'ts with pets!

Top 5 Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats

1) Do not put essential oils in eyes, up nose, or inside ear canal.

2) If skin irritation occurs use coconut oil or whole fat milk not water.

3) Avoid applying too many drops of essential oils near the face as dogs and cats have sensitive noses.

4) Avoid apply oils on the tips of long ear dogs because when they shake the oil may get in their eyes.

5) Diffuse a max of 4-5 drops of essential oils in a water atomizing diffuser because dogs and cats have a keen sense on smell and the scent may be overpowering.

Let's start with my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE essential oils blend for dogs. It's been wonderful to have when we have guests, fireworks or thunderstorms, traveling, or general hyperactivity. It mellows my dog and makes her peaceful.

There are several essential oils that should be avoided or used with caution for dogs.

DOGS BEWARE~

Melaleuca - May cause lethargy, loss of hind leg control, vomiting or fever

Deep Blue - Contains wintergreen which may irritate the gut.

Oregano - Only use if dog has Parvo and heavily dilute.

On Guard - Avoid if prone to seizures as this blend contains Eucalyptus.

Breathe - Contains Melaleuca and Eucalyptus

*If you choose to diffuse any of these make sure your dog can leave the room.

While it is winter soon enough summer and bugs are coming! This is our go-to bug spray.

Cats are even more sensitive to essential oils than dogs.

CATS BEWARE~

Meleleuca, Lemon, and OnGuard (contains Wild Orange) - Cats lack a liver enzyme called Glucuronyl Transferase. This does not allow cats to properly metabolize and get rid of certain essential oil chemical constituents in tea tree and all citrus essential oils from their bodies making it toxic for cats.

Oregano and Peppermint - Contains a chemical constituent called phenols which is not properly metabolized by cats and therefore toxic in large doses.

Deep Blue - Contains Ketones made from the Wintergreen in this blend. It's another chemical constituent difficult for cats to metabolize and eliminate properly.

*If you choose to diffuse any of the previously mentioned essential oils make sure your cat can leave the room.

Enjoy this gentle and multi-purpose Cat Owie Spray....

There are many more essential oils that our pets can use or need to be cautious with. However, this is a good starting point as most people have these top 10 essential oils mentioned above. Happy Oiling!