Essential Oils and Pets: A Quick and Easy How-To

If you love using Young Living products in your home, you’ve probably wondered how you can share their amazing benefits with your animals. Which oils are safe to use? How much can I apply? Should I diffuse or apply topically? 

If you’ve ever had questions like these, we’re here to help! Check out this quick-and-easy how-to guide for using essential oils with animals.* Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Most animals are more sensitive than humans to essential oils.

• ~ Start by diluting heavily and use in moderation.

• ~ Every animal is different, so carefully observe how each animal responds to the oils. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods.
• ~ Take special care to not get essential oils in an animal’s eyes.
• ~ Avoid using high-phenol oils such as Oregano and Thyme with any animals, especially cats.
• ~ Use special caution when using essential oils with cats. Cats are also generally averse to citrus essential oils.
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Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use.

• ~ For smaller animals like cats and small dogs, use 3–5 drops. Be sure to dilute 80–90 percent prior to application (for example, for every 1 drop of oil, use 4–5 drops of a diluting agent, such as V-6^™ Vegetable Oil Complex).
• ~ For larger animals, like large dogs, start with 3–5 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.
• ~ For very large animals, like horses and cattle, start with 10 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.

Apply oils to yourself or diffuse to introduce animals to essential oils and help them get comfortable.

• ~ Wear oils around your animals, diffuse in their space, or apply to your hands and let the animal smell them.
• ~ If your animal is jittery or resistant to essential oils, try applying an oil to yourself and staying near the animal for several minutes so it can get used to the aroma.

Once they’re used to essential oils, animals can respond well to topical application.

• ~ For cats and dogs, paws are a great place to apply essential oils.
• ~ For hoofed animals, we recommend application on the spine or flanks.
• ~ Try rubbing oils onto your own hands and then stroking the animal’s fur.
• ~ For large or hard-to-reach areas, combine essential oils with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or water in a spray bottle for easier application.
• ~ Animal Scents^™ Ointment can be used to seal and protect areas where essential oils have been applied topically.

Essential oils can be administered internally.

• ~ Some essential oils can be mixed with your animal’s food.
• ~ For large animals, you can pull out the bottom lip and drop oils directly into the mouth.

Young Living offers a full line of animal-specific products.

• ~ Animal Scents Shampoo
• ~ Animal Scents Ointment
• ~ Animals Scents Oils (available in a collection and individually)

For more information or to join Young Living, 
please feel free to Contact Me! directly. 

Or, you may log on to our website:

www.HolisticOilsForPetsAndPeeps.com

* The information included on this website is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for veterinary or professional medical advice. None of the opinions expressed here are meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. You should always consult your veterinarian or health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for your own situation or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan involving your animal(s) or yourself.

5 Tips to Help Your Dog Weather Winter

With frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, the first few months of the year can be tough for your dog, making it easy for him to catch the winter blues. Here are five winter tips to show your dog a little extra love and keep him healthy and happy this season!


1. Play Dress Up with Your Pup:

Just because your dog has a built-in fur coat doesn’t mean he won’t get cold ~ his breed, size, and even his age affect his internal thermostat. If he doesn’t have a heavy fur coat, a sweater or dog coat can keep your pup cozy during the winter season. Pay attention to the material and the fit when choosing a coat or sweater for your furry friend’s comfort. It never hurts to have several on hand to ensure your dog has a dry sweater or coat whenever he heads outdoors.



2. Change Grooming Habits for Winter:

In the drying winter season, less is more. If possible, minimize baths during the colder months to help your dog maintain naturally occurring oils so his skin won’t dry out as much. When you do bathe him, pamper your pup by using Animal Scents™ Shampoo to clean and condition your pet’s coat. Make sure your dog is completely dry before going out after a bath.


3. Prevent Cabin Fever:

If you live somewhere cold, your dog may stay inside more during this time of year. After being cooped up all day, it’s easy for your furry friend to catch cabin fever. Combat the boredom by creating indoor activities and stocking up on plenty of toys. Playing with interactive toys ~ or any toys for that matter ~ can stimulate your pet’s brain. If you live near an indoor dog park or agility park, an hour a day could be a great physical outlet for him.


4. Help Your Pet Stay Hydrated:

Cold temperatures can cause dehydration, so help your pup stay hydrated by giving him plenty of fresh water and choosing high-quality food for good nutrition and health.


5. Provide a Warm, Clean Bed and Plenty of Blankets:

Who doesn’t like to snuggle up to fresh, warm blankets on a snowy day? Freshen up your dog’s bedding by laundering it regularly so he has a hygienic place to stay toasty warm.

Keep your pets happy and healthy year-round with 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and the Animal Scents collection of products formulated specifically for your pets!

Visit our website to learn more by searching 'Catalog' then 'Pets:

www.HolisticOilsForPetsAndPeeps.com

Essential Oils Product Tips for Pets + DIY

In most households that I've come across, pets are significant members of the family. Therefore, our pets’ health and well-being is a priority. Just like humans, our furry & feathered friends need proper hygiene, a healthy diet, and extra care when becoming ill. The health-supporting benefits of Young Living’s Essential Oils can considerably contribute to your pets’ quality of life.

For our furry friends, the most effective and easiest way to keep your pet’s coat in tip-top condition is by using Animal Scents™ Shampoo. Imbued with the power of Citronella, Lavandin, Lemon, Geranium, and Spikenard essential oils, our pet shampoo gently cleanses, protects, and conditions without harmful ingredients.

For those situations when your pet is contending with fleas, we have included a do-it-yourself anti-flea spray recipe that will help you keep those pesky fleas far from your animal.

DIY Anti-Flea Spray

What You Need:

8-oz. glass spray bottle (we recommend a dark glass spray bottle, such as amber or blue)
1 drop of Cedarwood essential oil   
1 drop of Thyme essential oil 
½ cup of V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex (can also use a good quality vegetable or olive oil)    

What You Do:

Add ingredients into a glass spray bottle. Shake to combine. Lightly spray on your pet when needed.


Tips for Massaging Your Pets with Essential Oils

To enhance your grooming regimen and deepen your relationship with your pet, why not add a relaxing massage to your routine?

Follow these steps for the massage:

* Invite your pet to lie down.
* Start by stroking the areas you already know your pet enjoys.
* As your pet relaxes, start using long strokes. This will relax him/her even more.
* Once your pet stretches out, you know he/she is ready for the massage.
* If you would like to use V-6, then put a couple of drops on your fingertips.
* Begin with the head and with circular motions, gently work your fingertips over the entire body.
* Use small, soft movements with cats and small dogs and larger movements with bigger animals.

The time invested is very insignificant to the pay off. With a cat or small dog, it will only take a couple of minutes. With larger breeds, it may take 10 minutes to finish the massage.

Once your pet is completely relaxed, it is a great time to brush or comb from head to tail. Just a few minutes a couple of times a week will not only keep your pet well-groomed and happy, but you will also recognize if any mood or physical changes need to be addressed with your vet.

When using Young Living products on your pets, remember size and physiology make them more sensitive to the effects of essential oils. Here is why:

* Most pets have a greater sense of smell
* Cats and small dogs have a low body weight
* Cats have thinner skin that allows essential oils to be easily and

quickly absorbed in their bloodstream
* Cats’ livers do not function like humans or dogs. Bottom-line: less is better for a cat.

As always, we advise care when administrating essential oils on your pets.  With proper use and common sense, you and your pets will experience the amazing benefits of adding essential oils to your lives by replacing the common harsh, toxic chemicals.

Should you wish to get started with your own oils and products, we recommend that you enroll as a wholesale member in Young Living by purchasing the Premium Starter Kit, which gives you the Everyday Oils, a bonus oil called Stress Away, a Home Diffuser, as well as samples to try or share. This is an excellent investment in your health, as well as the health of your animals. 

You also have the option of joining as a Retail Member, as opposed to a Wholesale Member, so it is completely up to you. There are also options for monthly Essential Rewards orders, which earn you points that you can spend on additional products, as well as promotional items every month that you can earn for free, just by shopping for what you already need. 

Please ask us for additional information, or you may learn more by logging on to:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com  (then click on the Contact page for more info)

Thank you for joining us on this wonderfully holistic journey. We are truly grateful to have you here with us and look forward to helping you any way we can! ♥