Weekly WON Tip

Pet Escentuals & More!
Essential oils provide powerful healing benefits to your pet on a cellular level, helping them to respond better to all treatments and recover more quickly.  They can also be an effective tool for supporting anxieties, fears, aggression or any other behavioral issues. However, it is critical that pet owners understand that the physiology of cats, dogs, horses, birds, or whatever your animals may be, is very different and they will each metabolize essential oils in their own unique way.  Here are some tips to remember:

• Take precautions with the types of essential oils you use on your pets and how they are diluted. 
• Like humans, each of your animals will respond differently or be more sensitive to each essential oil. 
• Be aware and present when introducing new oils to your pets and make adjustments as needed. 
• The best carrier oil for your pet is fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil.  It combines well with essential oils, it slows down absorption into the tissues helping to prevent sensitivities, it prevents the oils from dissipating too quickly, it does not go rancid, and it is nourishing to the skin.

Rules & Warnings

• Do NOT apply essential oils in your pet’s eyes or nose, or on their genitals. If it gets in their eyes or nose use milk to rinse it out. Always use care when using oils topically around the face as it easily becomes too overwhelming.
• Do NOT use water as a carrier for topical use because it drives oils deeper and faster into tissues.
• Do NOT drop essential oils into ears.
• Do NOT apply essential oils to the tips of long eared dogs as the oils could get into their eyes or nose when they shake their head.
• Do NOT use any essential oil products in beadlet form or any products containing xylitol.  They can cause serious liver damage and are toxic to dogs and cats. 

So, now that you know the "do's" and "don'ts", which essential oil should you try?  Lavender is always a good choice.  Lavender essential oil helps to reduce stress, fear and sadness in cats and dogs.  It supports healthy tissue regeneration and reduces skin irritations, ear infections, and boosts the immune system.  Lavender essential oil is something everyone should have in their toolbox of health for both pets and humans!

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