Essential Oils For Pets

Can you really use essential oils for pets? You sure can! And I’m excited to announce that Young Living has just launched a pet-friendly range of essential oils in Australia. Pet lovers everywhere are jumping for joy because here’s another way they can share their love of essential oils with their fur babies.

The last thing we would ever want to do is unknowingly harm our animals! Young Living formulated Animal Scents products specifically for animals, so you can count on them being effective and safe for your pet.

Animals aren’t humans and therefore they each have their own unique considerations when it comes to essential oils. They have different levels of sensitivity and toxicity when it comes to essential oils. Not only is there variance within a species about how animals react to essential oils but, like humans, not all animals of a particular species are the same.

Using essential oils for pets

• Start low and go slow! Every animal is different, so carefully observe how your pet responds to essential oils and react accordingly. Remember – your pet can’t tell you if something doesn’t feel right! So, make it your duty to exercise caution and take a responsible approach to using essential oils.
• Animal Scents are specifically formulated for veterinary use, so please keep out of reach of children.
• With all animals, avoid using “hot” oils or high-phenol oils—such as Oregano, Wintergreen, Clove, and Thyme.
• Take extra caution when using essential oils around cats, never use daily and avoid oils with citric ingredients entirely. If diffusing, always allow cats access to areas where they can avoid the diffused oil.
• Always follow label instructions! Young Living has designed Animal Scents for both aromatic and topical applications, Note that this does not include ingestion. If applying topically, follow dilution instructions carefully according to the size and species of the animal. Additional dilution is recommended for smaller species.

Remember that the tips we’re sharing are general recommendations. If your veterinarian suggests otherwise, defer to your vet. After all, they’re the animal health experts! If your pet is pregnant, nursing, under 8 weeks old or has a medical condition, be sure to consult your vet prior to use.

Getting your pet used to essential oils

Essential oils are potent and an animal’s sense of smell is much more powerful than our own. So, your pet may need some time to adjust to essential oils. Use these tips to introduce your pets to essential oils in a comfortable way:

• Wear essential oils throughout the day and let your pets explore the scent on their own terms.
• Diffuse essential oils in relaxing spaces in your home – and watch closely for signs of irritation like whining, shaking, sniffing or scratching.
• If you find that essential oils are making pets jittery or nervous, apply a small amount of oil to yourself and stay near them for several minutes so they can get used to the aroma.

How can I use essential oils with my pets?

Diffusing essential oils around pets

Diffusing is the gentlest way to introduce and expose your pet to essential oils! Dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to about six million for humans. That’s 50 times more. This can increase their sense of smell compared to humans by hundreds to even thousands of times more.

So even something as mild as a single drop of lemon oil can take some getting used to for dogs. Follow these tips to make sure your pet is comfortable with diffusing essential oils in your home.

Diffuse essential oils:

• In small doses: Use small amounts of essential oil (start with 1 or 2 drops).
• For short periods: Start by diffusing for only ten minutes at a time.
• In open spaces: Provide the option for your pet to leave the room.
• In well-ventilated spaces: Make sure there is adequate fresh air circulation.
• And pay attention: Observe how your pet reacts.

If your pet seems uncomfortable, try to diffuse fewer drops next time. But if they seem uncomfortable no matter how much essential oil you use, listen to your pet and stop diffusing around them.

Putting essential oils on your pet

Similar to when you apply topical essential oils yourself, dilution is also recommended for pets. But how can you gauge the correct essential oil to carrier oil dilution ratio? As a general rule, start by mixing 1 drop of essential oil in 5ml of carrier oil. If you need a larger quantity, maintain a ratio of 1 drop to 5ml of carrier oil.

Carefully apply according to the size and species of the animal (you can learn more about this in our blog post – Using essential oils with animals). I recommend additional dilution for smaller species.

You should reserve topical application only for pets who are veteran essential oil users! What type of carrier oils are best for pets? We like gentle, easily absorbed options like V-6™ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex and liquid coconut oil!

Before you apply, mix your carrier oil and essential oil in your palm. Rub your hands together until your palms are no longer shiny. Then apply the mix to your pet in gentle strokes avoiding their eyes, ears, mouth and other sensitive areas. A roll-on created with the same dilution ratio also works well!

New Young Living Animal Scents Range of Essential Oils

Puriclean

Puriclean was inspired by the great outdoors and infused with cool Mountain Savory, woodsy Palo Santo and sweet Rosemary oils, Puriclean helps purify your pets skin keeping them smelling fresh after play time’s over. Simply dilute and apply a few drops topically, treating your pet to a gentle massage and brushing for a beautifully soft finish. I think of this blend like the love child of Tea Tree and Lavender for pets. It cleanses and purifies the skin as well as moisturises dry and flaky skin.

Pet Care

We all experience periods of occasional stress—our furry family members included. Pets can find even small changes to routine to be a big deal! Use Pet Care to alleviate nervousness and create a balanced environment for your pet during times of tension. Think Peace & Calming, Harmony and Trauma Life for your pet. Help support feelings of comfort and reassurance with Young Living’s Pet Care. Formulated specifically for animals, you can apply this essential oil blend topically to promote a balanced environment for your pets during times of tension.

Inner Balance

Does your dog seem to eat everything? Keep your pet happy by diluting and applying a few drops of Inner Balance essential oil blend onto their belly to naturally help comfort them. Just like our Digize, this blend is infused with fresh Peppermint, warm Ginger and spicy Anise oils. This carefully-crafted animal blend is ideal for using topically, as the cool minty notes leave your pet smelling extra fresh.

Pet Fresh

This grounding animal essential oil offers an instant refresh and you can apply it topically to support your pet’s coat and improve the appearance of skin. Infused with earthy notes of Myrrh, Palo Santo, Ecuador Oregano and Ocotea leaf oil for a warm and soothing scent, this powerful blend supports your pet’s overall wellbeing on their latest outdoor adventure. I use this one like I would Thieves, Immupower or even Oregano.

Pet Renew

When your furry best friend has been out on a long outdoor adventure, reach for Pet Renew to soothe and moisturise their sensitive, dry skin. Enriched with soothing Geranium, Frankincense, Lavender, Hyssop and grounding Myrrh, this lovingly crafted animal blend helps keep your pet’s coat looking soft, beautiful and healthy and has a pleasingly natural, earthy aroma. This is like the Art Renewal Serum for pets.

Pet Skin Sensitivities from Essential Oils

Animals, like humans, can have sensitivities to some essential oils because of other things in their environment. This may include any medications they may be on, tick and flea treatments, cleaning products their owners are using for their bedding or even on other areas on which the animal lies, such as the floor. If you have animals, their health can be compromised by the accumulation of harmful chemicals in the products you use around them.

It is super-important that you consider switching to natural cleaning products, like the Thieves range. Animals absorb a lot of these chemicals through their fur and paws. We wouldn’t want to be unknowingly harming our pets with our cleaning products and air fresheners.

Why does quality matter with essential oils?

Often when researching how to use essential oils with pets on the internet, you’ll come across sites warning people not to use essential oils with animals. Usually this is because people have used essential oils inappropriately in the past. They may have even used poor quality essential oils that have been created for the perfume industry and were not created for any therapeutic benefit. Unethical companies adulterate many essential oils on the market, either with synthetics or already added to a carrier oil, meaning that they are no longer just the pure essential oil.

The way in which an essential oil is produced affects its quality. This includes the seeds that are chosen, the way it is grown, distilled and handled. All these things contribute to the quality of the end product. This is why I only use and recommend Young Living essential oils. I’ve visited the Young Living farms to see how the seeds are planted, the plants cultivated, harvested, distilled and even tested before and after they bottle each essential oil. Best of all, you’re welcome to do this too. These are the only essential oils I would use on my pets.

Try using essential oils with your pets today. Become a Young Living member and save 24% of all your purchases plus you’ll get access to awesome training like Raindrop for animals. Click here to set up your account.