Essential Oils and Your Pets

by Kat Grassell

One of the greatest loves of my life is Sasha. 75 pounds of energy and happiness all rolled into this amazing creature, of which I am lucky to be her human. Now of course, I love the other creatures that reside in our home equally, but Sasha stole my heart over 3 years ago when she came into my life as a puppy. A cute bundle of fur that looked at me with adoring brown eyes that made me realize; "What have I done? I am totally responsible for this creature!" I think my husband got her for me because I had been making noises about having a baby and he thought this would buy him some time. What was he thinking?

Well along with the new addition to our household came the realization I knew very little about holistic care for animals and the research began. Our household (otherwise known as the menagerie) now consist of Sasha, her puppy Hagrid, 3 cats (Chloee, Avatar & Nox), 2 turtles (Atlantis & Poseidon), 5 fish, 1 bird (Zeus) and co-ownership of 3 horses with a family member. I think my husband is finally ready for a baby, but that is another story. I will begin with some cautionary advice. Never use essential oil on or around your birds or cats. Toxicity can and will build up very quickly and it just is not safe to use without the guidance of a Holistic Vet. In addition, essential oils are for external use only with pets and caution is advised to use only when the oil has been diluted. That being said there are some very good ways to incorporate essential oils into to care for your animals.

DOGS
My doggie essential oil box contains the following oils:
Lavender: calming, anti-fungal and good for skin
Peppermint: discourages insects and prevent motion sickness (applied to towel, not internal)
Tea Tree Oil: antibacterial, treat insect bites and cuts
Eucalyptus: respiratory, insect prevention and anti-fungal
Cedarwood Oil: Flea control

***I have big dogs; recipes can be cut in half for those with smaller breeds.

Doggie Shampoo (make as you use)
2 cups water
2 teaspoons liquid castile soap
2 tablespoons of aloe Vera gel
1 teaspoon olive oil
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Peppermint

Combine in plastic bottle and shake mildly to blend. Get the dog in the tub (often I will cover the side and bottom with a towel so they don't slip). Wet the dog down thoroughly. Soap up your dog, starting at the head (careful of eyes and nose) and work your way down to the butt. Don't forget under the legs and tail. * If you want it to also repel fleas, add 4 drops Cedarwood, 3 drops pennyroyal and 5 drops Lemongrass oil to the mix.


After Shampoo Final Rinse
1 cup of apple cider vinegar
4 drop lavender oil
3 drops rosemary oil
3 cups of warm water

Pour all over and leave in or do a quick rinse.


Citrus Repellent for Your Dog
(Control of fleas and insects)

2 lemons (cut into quarters)
3 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
10 drops lavender oil
6 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Tea Tree oil

In a jug, add lemon quarters and cover with boiling water. Let mix sit overnight. Next day remove lemon and add oils. Put in a spay bottle. Shake vigorously and spray all over your dog (avoiding eyes and delicate bits). This will make the coat shiny and the dog smell great!


Homemade Flea Collars

1 bandana
2 feet of strong rope
2 rubber bands
3 tablespoons each of dried herbs (crushed)
Lavender
Pennyroyal
Eucalyptus
4 drops each
Cedarwood Oil
Citronella Oil
Geranium Oil

Laying the bandana flat, pour herbs into the center forming a line going cattycorner on the bandana. Mix the oils together in a small dish and pour over the line of herbs. Lay the rope across the herb line with equal measure sticking off both ends of bandana. Taking the corner closest to you fold bandana over to form a triangle. Gather the bandana tightly around the rope as you go, roll the bandana into one long tube. *Herbs should be equally dispersed along the rolled length. Secure each in of your "tube" with a rubber band (tightly). Be cautious on fitting your new flea collar on your dog. You do not want it too tight of course, but also not loose enough for her to bite at it and spill herbs all over the place. I used this on my puppies since I did not want to use chemicals when they were young.

** Use a strong knot and not a slip knot when securing the bandana.**

Bedding Stuffing
Add in the pillowcase of your dogs' floor pillow to keep fleas at bay:
Cedar chips
Dried Lavender
Pennyroyal

SIMPLE FIRST AID
Cuts
For minor cuts bath the area with 7 drops lavender oil diluted in ? gallon water.

*Seek medical attention if wound continues bleeding or is deep.*

Ear Wax Buildup
1 small plastic bottle
9 drops of Lavender
3 tablespoons witch-hazel

Mix thoroughly. Pour on clean cloth and clean out ears. It is especially necessary on Golden Retrievers and dogs that play in the water.


HORSES
Grooming your horse should be a bonding time between you and your animal. Here are two of my favorite recipes.

Spa Mud Bath
(Your horse will love you for it!)

1 small bag of organic dirt (you can gather your own, but I prefer to know it does not have any chemicals or fertilizers)

10 Drops of vanilla
5 drops of Lavender
3 tablespoon sweet almond oil
5 drops almond extract
2 teaspoons natural castile soap
1 tablespoon SPF sun screen

Take 6 to 10 cups of dirt and add all of the other ingredients in a large bowl or bucket. Add water till the mix is pretty soupy. Spread all over your horse avoiding face, mane and tail. Allow to dry. I like to brush a lot of it off before rinsing. Horsey heaven and they smell good too!

Conditioning Horses' Coat
After the Spa treatment works great for shiny coat

1 large bucket
1 dozen eggs
6 drops Rosemary oil
1 cup olive oil
1 gallon water

Mix together thoroughly. Apply to horse (sponge) and let sit 15 minutes or so. Rinse. Works on wonders your hair too, by the way.


SOME OTHER HELPFUL HINTS
Sprinkle baking soda around outside pet dishes to keep insects away.
A teaspoon of Olive oil on your pets' food everyday will get a glossy coat.
To fight fleas indoors mix 4 drops oil of rosemary, 5 drops pennyroyal, and 3 drops citronella with a cup baking soda. Sprinkle on carpet and vacuum. Change bag afterward.

Sasha turns 4 years old next year and sometimes it is hard to believe she has been part of my life for so long. I can't remember my life before all of these animals joined us, but it must have been awfully quite. As I watch Sasha's puppy, Hagrid, grow (my husband is definitely his human) I learn more about the amazing creatures that share our lives. We are truly blessed.

Katari lives with her husband and their animal family currently in Austin, Tx. She has been using essential oils for over 15 years and incorporates them into every aspect of her lifestyle. Email her with questions gypsy_dragon93@yahoo.com

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