Essential oils can be used for Pets and Animals and we will discuss some protocol for Dogs, Cats and Horses. Many professional trainers and veterinarians are using essential oils to support animals health. Because animal’s have a heightened sensitivity to smell, essential oils should not be applied near their nose, but rather be applied diluted on their back or behind their ears.  You can test the oil by holding the bottle out for the animal to smell and see his reaction and let your pet decide if he wants the essential oil.

Cesar Millan, the well renowned Animal Trainer of the TV series The Dog Whisperer, uses Essential Oils to calm and soothe dogs in training. In this clip from his show, Cesar demonstrates how to calm a dog using doTERRA’s Lavender Oil.

Essential Oils for Dogs:

Dog and Girl

Dogs tolerate Essential Oils very well, but because dogs vary in size you will want to use tiny amounts of oil just as you would for an infant. You always want to dilute the oil because of their heightened sensitivity to smells. Some great places to apply oils to dogs is on the pad of their feet, behind their ears and along their spine. Oils are assimilated into the body very quickly and so you can reapply as needed without worry of overdosing. Always avoid the eyes and nose areas.  Order essential oils for dogs here. 

Here are a few recipes for common ailments:

Flea Repellent:

16 oz spray bottle(aromatools.com)

4-6 drops Rosemary oil

4-6 drops Purify Oil

Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water and lightly spray the dog, avoiding the eyes and reapply as needed.

Another amazing oil that you can put on undiluted is Terrashield.  This is a blend that is awesome for pets to help repel bugs.  I purchase a spritzer top from aromatools.com and put it straight on my bottle to spritz on my dog.  You can put it on their paws, around the others and in other trouble areas. Remember to avoid the eyes.  **Flush the eyes with milk if you get some in the eyes.

Tooth Problems/ Gum Loss:

2 oz glass spray bottle (aromatools.com)

8-10 drops OnGuard Essential Oil

Fill the rest of the bottle with Fractionated Coconut Oil

Apply to the gums and teeth morning and night.

Kennel Cough:

1 drop each of Breathe, Lime and Thyme

Combine in an aromatherapy diffuser with water and diffuse  in the room your dog is in.

You can also combine one drop of each oil with 2 1/2 TBSP of coconut oil and mix well.  Then apply a small amount to their chest and bottom of paws 3 times a day for a week to help.

Balance is a great oil to put on the bottom of the paws as well.  This is already diluted and can be put on straight.

Recommended Dosing: Less is more. I would start with a pea size amount of the mixture.  Even less for a tiny dog.

Keep Out of the Flowers:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp dry mustard

1 Tbsp powdered Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl or paper bag.  Sprinkle liberally around borders of your flower beds and reapply as necessary.  Learn more about essential oils here. 

Essential Oils for Horses:

Horses

Despite the size of a horse, they are still very sensitive.  You will want to use the same dose that you would use on an adult human on a horse, which is around 3-4 drops for a dose, this of course excludes pregnant mares, Shetlands and toy breeds.  Oils are assimilated into the body very quickly and so you can reapply as needed without worry of overdosing. Always avoid the eyes and nose areas. Learn more about essential oils.

Cool-Down Mist:

16oz spray bottle

6-8 drops Peppermint, Aromatouch or Breathe

Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.  Spray down the horse, avoiding the eyes and repeat as needed.

Flies/ Mosquitoes/ Bots:

Mist 1:

16 oz spray bottle (aromatools.com)

6-8 drops Lemongrass or Purify

Fill the rest with distilled water.

Lightly spray horse, avoid the eyes.

Mist 2:

4 oz glass spray bottle (aromatools.com)

20 drops Lemongrass

20 drops Patchouli

20 drops Eucalyptus

20 drops Thyme

Fill the remaining bottle with fractionated coconut oil and then lightly spray or rub down the trouble areas, repeat as needed.  I also believe that prevention is worth a pound of cure!!

Oil Application: TerraShield is also an amazing oil that you can apply without dilution around the eyes, pasterns, nose and other trouble areas.

Sore Muscles:

4 oz glass bottle (aromatools.com)

40 drops AromaTouch

20 drops Lemongrass

20 drops Frankincense

10 drops Thyme

Fill the remaining space with coconut oil.  Spray and rub down as needed and then wrap as usual.

Deep Blue rub is also an amazing support for sore muscles and inflammation.  Dilute as needed. Purchase essential oils for horses here. 

Essential Oils for Cats:

Kittens

Cats are very small and sensitive so you need to use caution with oils and cats.  Use less than a drop at a time and dilute with fractionated coconut oil.  Use even less for pregnant cats and kittens.  You can apply the oils on the pad of the foot and between the toes as well as behind the ears and along the spine.  Do not use Melaleuca Oil on Cats.   Essential oils do not build up in the cats system like synthetic medication does and so you may reapply as needed.  Avoid getting oil in the eyes and flush with milk if needed.  Learn more about essential oils here. 

Flea Repellent:

Mist: 16 oz spray bottle put 4-6 drops of Rosemary and fill the rest with distilled water.  Lightly spray cat and avoid the eyes, reapply as needed.

Oil: TerraShield  can be applied without dilution behind the ears, to the paws and other trouble areas as needed.

Tooth problems/gum loss:

2 oz glass bottle

6 drops OnGuard

fill the remainder of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil and apply 1 to 2 drops of the mixture to gums and teeth morning and night.  Purchase essential oils for cats here. 

Travel Tip: Apply one drop of Serenity to the travel crate for a more peaceful ride.

Product Guide
product guide image doterra

**These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are intended for educational purposes only.  They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and are not a substitute for professional healthcare.  All recommendations are based on third party research of essential oils and their effectiveness when used for the above listed ailments.  See www.PubMed.com for references to some of those studies.  Check out the research and make your own decisions based on complete information.