Aromatherapy for dogs

Love the herby, aromatic and flowery scents of essential oils? If you're an oil devotee, you can use your favourite oils on your dog to keep him healthy and to ward off ticks and fleas.

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Dogs' essential oils

IMPORTANT -- DILUTE THE OILS
Add the oils to a spray bottle filled with water, plus a few tablespoons of apple vinegar. The dilution is vital: don't use more than 20 drops of an oil to eight ounces of water (a large cup.) You can also dilute the oils in a vegetable oil like olive oil. If you're diluting with vegetable oil, add one drop of essential oil to a teaspoon of vegetable oil.

Essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and are calming to animals. They can be used to treat common dog ailments like itchy and irritated skin, bites, cuts, flatulence, and bad breath. If you're taking your dog to the vet, spritz her with a lavender water around half an hour before you leave. She'll be more relaxed -- and so will you.

Treat ear infections: if there are signs of a brownish discharge, you can wipe the ear canal with oils like lavender, tea tree, and Roman chamomile -- the oils must be heavily diluted.

Repel ticks and fleas with 20 drops of oil in eight ounces of water. For fleas, spritz your dog with a dilution of an oil like peppermint, lemon, citronella, or clary sage. Ticks hate geranium, bay, and lavender. You'll need to spray your do's coat daily, and also spray his bedding.

Safety note

Do remember to keep the oils away from your dog's eyes, and to use use tiny amounts of oils. You should only use minimal amounts of ANY of the oils until you're sure that your dog doesn't suffer any ill effects from them. DO NOT use the oils if your bitch is pregnant.

Buying oils

Essential oils for aromatherapy can seem expensive, but you get what you pay for. Considering the tiny amounts you use, buy small amounts, but buy the best you can afford, and ask questions of your supplier. Your oils should be genuine, not chemical replicas.