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Essential Oils for Pets How to Use Them Safely by Sandra Murphy
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Soothing Effects ssential oils are One thing I’d say is, learn Just as chamomile derived from tea relaxes humans, plant-based all you can before using anxious dogs find its sources, leading oils around pets scent calming. Some people to equate vets spray the exam natural with safe; ~Gary Richter, integrative room with lavender but that’s not veterinarian and founder of between appointments alwaysthe case. to calmanxious Knowing how Ultimate Pet Nutrition clients. Sally Morgan, and when to use a physical therapist oils is vital, and advanced certified practitioner of according to Gary Richter, DVM, an the gentle animal bodywork therapy integrative veterinarian and medical known as Tellington Touch, sees director of Holistic Veterinary Care, clients in her Northampton, Massain Oakland, California. A veterinarian chusetts, office. “I put a drop of a trained in the use of essential oils peace and calming blend or lavender understands the properties of each on the carpet or a pillow,” she says. oil, along with its proper dilution and “It relaxes the animal and dissipates application, a subject not generthe smells of previous clients. I don’t ally taught in traditional veterinary use diffusers. The odor can be too schools; holistic medicine requires strong for their sensitive noses. additional training. With proper use There’s also a danger it could spill under professional guidance, esand be licked up.” sential oils can be part of a larger treatment plan, says Richter. Cats Certified Professional Dog Trainer are generally more sensitive to oils Knowledge Assessed Kim Paciotti, because they don’t metabolize medowner of Training Canines, LLC, icine as efficiently as dogs, he notes. based in Statesville, North Carolina, “As one professor used to tell our finds the scent of green apples veterinary class, ‘Cats are not small relieves anxiety and soothes upset dogs, so they can’t be treated as if tummies for dogs and puppies that they are’—always good to rememsuffer from motion sickness. “Cotton ber.” balls placed inside a small container clipped to the outside of their crates 30
