What To Look For In An Essential Oil For Dogs

May 17, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Choosing an Essential Oil for Dogs

Essential oils are extremely popular lately, and now being used on family pets and in shelters. It’s important to know that using essential oils topically is not a new trend. It’s been used for thousands of years. As with anything, the moment a product becomes popular, everyone jumps on the bandwagon, which is why you’re seeing essential oils at discount prices.

Though the quality of the essential oil differs between brands. Put down that bottle you purchased on Amazon or at a superstore down and choose a high quality essential oil instead!

Be Picky

Essential oils can be applied on skin, ingested or inhaled, so consumers must be picky when selecting an essential oil for dogs. When choosing an essential oil, select one that is:

Made from plants and flowers
Void of added ingredients, such as water or alcohol
Single or blended
100% pure of the listed oil type

Beware of an essential oil that is always in stock because this means they’re not selective of which plants are used during the distillation process. Lastly, choose an essential oil for dogs that has been lab-tested to verify promised concentration (i.e. not diluted with water or carrier oils). Be super picky!

Where to Purchase Essential Oils

Stay away from Amazon and superstore essential oils for dogs. There’s no guarantee as to what’s in the bottle. By far, the best essential oils are made by Young Living and doTERRA. Both essential oil brands follow stringent regulations on growing, distilling, testing and selling their products. They also don’t sell their products in superstores, including Amazon. Plus, their oils contain 100% therapeutic oils, which means no water or alcohol. 🙂

Purchase a Starter Kit

Each single or essential oil blend has a purpose. Once you’ve chosen a reputable essential oil company, purchase their starter kit, which should contain multiple small bottles. Reputable essential oil companies label and carefully explain each oil’s purpose and recommendations.

Some oils are very calming for dogs while others will repel insects, soothe skin irritations, and disinfect bedding/surfaces. For reactive and anxious dogs, check out these recommended oils. Remember dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so learn how to appropriately use calming essential oils around them.

WATCH: Choosing An Essential Oil For Dogs

Does Aromatherapy Dog Shampoo Work?

March 12, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Aromatherapy Shampoo for Dogs

Aromatherapy dog shampoo mostly works, but it depends on ingredients, as with anything. By far, this is the biggest craze in the dog grooming world. Now, your dog can upgrade to an aromatherapy experience during her next groom.

Why Aromatherapy Dog Shampoo?

As with any human trend, it usually trickles down to the dog world. I mean, have you seen clip-on feathers for dogs now? 🙂 One concept I find extremely interesting is aromatherapy dog shampoo. The smell is powerful not only for dogs, but people too. Science is catching up it seems, as this type of shampoo contains many essential oils to promote calmness, relaxation and healing.

Human Perception

One of the top complaints after a dog has been groomed is the lack of a refreshing scent or presence of dog odor. So the dog grooming industry caught onto the aroma therapy trend and incorporated it into dog shampoos with smashing success. Not only have complaints decreased, but people have also returned to their grooming salons more often to refresh their dog’s essential oil scent.

Dog Perception

Essential oils promote relaxation, healing and calming within the dog world too. Most essentials oils are added into shampoos and conditioners, spritzed on a dog’s coat or wrapped in bandanas and tied around a dog’s neck. Now, some shampoos contain tea tree oil, which works as an antiseptic and smells wonderfully–a great shampoo for dry dog skin. Some scents are calming for both dog and owner. When choosing an aroma therapy shampoo for your dog, choose one with natural essential oils and not synthetic or detergent-based scents.

Product Recommendations

My favorite aromatherapy shampoos are Espree’s Rainforest shampoo and any richly scented shampoo by Show Season Products. If you’re interested in spritzing or applying safe essential oils to your dog’s coat, check out Young Living Essential Oils for Pets. These are by far my favorite. Plus, their website explains the proper way to apply essential oils, which is a must read for all pet lovers.

READ ALSO: Best Medicated Dog Shampoo

Medical Modalities for Dogs

September 19, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Four Drug-Free Treatments

Dog Medicine — Four drug-free treatments for dogs.

Our motto is “we share because we care,” and I thought it was pretty important to “shelf” dog training for a nano-minute (very big grin) and share the latest information about dog health. I want to take a moment and discuss newer and successful medical modalities, which I’ve personally witnessed work and had loads of research supporting their reliability and effectiveness.

While the mentioned modalities may not necessarily cure your dog’s illness, they can certainly relieve pain, increase recovery and boost your dog’s immunity to continue fighting. Plus, pet insurance will cover these modalities! Not sure if your pet insurance will? Contact them to find out. My pet insurance covers 90% of these treatments. 🙂

Disclaimer: If your dog is sick, please seek immediate veterinary treatment. This article brings awareness to newer treatments. Always partner with your veterinarian. He is very open-minded. 🙂

1. Chiropractic Care

If your dog is moving stiffly, limping a bit or competing in any type of dog sport, a chiropractic adjustment may be just what your pooch needs. Chiropractic adjustments are a drug free hands-on procedure that adjusts joints back into place. When joints are out of place, the body responds by tightening muscles around the injury, which forms somewhat of a cast. This is the body trying to heal itself. When this cast forms, this causes your dog to move stiffly, if at all. Once a dog is realigned, chiropractics will continue to adjust along the dog’s body, which stops muscle spams and releases the cast around the previous injury. There are two types of animal chiropractors: a veterinarian who has completed additional training in chiropractic care and a doctor of chiropractic who primarily works with people, yet has completed additional training to understand animal structure. Cost ranges from $50-$150 per session. I usually pay $65 in the Nashville, Tennessee, area.

2. Acupuncture

This is an ancient procedure of inserting tiny needles along meridian points of the body, which relieves certain ailments, depending on which meridian is targeted. Acupuncture can relieve pain and nausea, decrease pain, increase healing for injuries and is extremely beneficial for dogs that are just feeling “off.” Personally, I’ve witnessed the power of acupuncture with Armond, my Bouvier, that is undergoing chemothreapy treatment for bone cancer. Armond refused to eat after a chemo session. It was going on for 10 days. My vet performed acupuncture and within 2 minutes, he wolfed down two cans of dog food. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I’ve always been a huge skeptic, but not any longer! Veterinarians must complete additional training to become certified in animal acupuncture, and dogs tolerate the needles extremely well. Usually, dogs will take a deep sigh and relax. It’s pretty cool to watch. Costs are usually $60-$100 per session. I usually pay $65 or $75 per session, depending on the targeted treatment.

3. Essential Oil Therapy

This is a newer treatment, which is gaining momentum in the veterinary world fast. Essential oils prevent bacteria and viruses from growing or continuing to grow in the body, plus they contain healing properties to help fight illnesses. Why not give your dog’s body a boost to fight infections, viruses, cancer or whatever disease your dog is currently fighting? There are many brands of essential oils. However, it’s best to do your research first and choose someone who has extensive knowledge on which oils are beneficial for your dog. Surprisingly, veterinarians are jumping on board so I would start there first. As dogs are living longer, many vet facilities are offering hospice, which incorporates essential oils to relieve pain and boost a dog’s defenses. Personally, I’ve not used essential oils on my dogs yet, but I’ve had great success when fighting reoccurring sinus infections. And I’m going to try using lavender during dog training classes, as some dogs are pretty stressed. From my understanding, place two drops of lavender in your hands, rub together, and then rub along the sides of your dog’s face and chest. I can’t wait to try it out! Cost is usually a vet’s office exam and cost of oils.

4. Laser Treatment

Cold laser treatment has become much more popular. I was first introduced to it about 8 years ago. My older Bouvier (12-years-old) had a luxuriating patella (moving kneecap) and laser treatments reduced inflammation and relieved pain so much so, she would act like a 2-year-old again. Laser treatment is a drug free option with proven results for decreasing healing times and decreasing pain. Even for spay or neuter incisions, they heal twice as fast! Sessions are usually 10-20 minutes long, and your dog lays on a mat while the vet moves the laser over your dog’s problem area. After a few minutes, most dogs take a deep sigh and relax. My dogs will close their eyes also. 🙂 Ask your vet about laser treatments, especially for older dogs (helps relieve arthritis pain). Cost is usually $30-$50 per session. Some vets offer multiple sessions at steep discounts.

How have these medical modalities affected your dog’s health? It’s so important to share what we know. 🙂

READ ALSO: Why You Should Get Pet Insurance

What To Look For In An Essential Oil For Dogs

Choosing an Essential Oil for Dogs

Be Picky