What’s that smell?

Our strongest sense is our sense of smell.  Certain smells can remind us of past situations.  They can also have therapeutic effects.   Some scents relax, or motivate or even have physical health benefits.

A dog’s sense of smell is over 1,000 times stronger than ours.  Using aromatherapy for your dogs can be a safe and effective way to promote either physical or mental healing for your best friend.

Essential oils are extracted from a variety of plants, flowers, stems, roots, leaves or bark.  Each oil, aside from it’s great smell, has properties that  will benefit you and your dog.  Some of the benefits you can get from using essential oils include:

Coat and Skin Care

Lavender is a gentle oil that will calm and soothe the skin.  Cedarwood oil provides balance for both dry and oily skin and hair.

Fleas and Ticks

Tea tree, eucalyptus, citronella, lemon, and lemongrass oils are all effective at repelling fleas and ticks from your dog and your home.

To Ease Arthritis Pain

Pine, Thyme, Rosemary, Sandlewood and Lavender can all be used to soothe the pain of old age.

To Calm Aggression

Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang are both useful at calming aggression.  (For truly aggressive dogs, professional training will be needed.)

To Calm Nervousness

Bergamot, Frankincense, Lavender and Chamomile are all helpful if your pooch is nervous or anxious.

Cough Relief

Eucalyptus, myrrh, tea tree and pine essential oils can all be beneficial for relief of coughs.

Nausea and Motion Sickness

Peppermint and Chamomile oils can relieve an upset stomach.

How to administer essential oils

The best way for your dog to get the desired effects from essential oils is to use a diffuser.  The diffuser uses heat to disseminate the essential oil throughout the room.  This should only be done for 30 minutes twice a day.  Never leave your dog unattended while the diffuser is on and monitor your dog during the process.  The essential oils should make your home smell great and provide some relief for your pet.