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The use of natureıs most concentrated botanical substances-
essential oils,
is an excellent way to calm dogs who are fearful, agitated and
hyperactive.
The very nature of these substances is such that they work quickly and
do
not leave the animal in a drugged or listless state, as common
tranquilizers
such as Valium do. Unlike herbal calming tablets, which take time to
digest,
aromatherapy essential oils are inhaled and quickly begin their work.
Over the last ten years, I have not found one dog who was not
fascinated
with the scent of truly natural essential oils. While dogs may shy
from
synthetic scents and perfumes, they are drawn to essential oils.
Perhaps
they know that they are of botanical origin, or perhaps they are just
so
used to the cloying scent of synthetic products that their attraction
is one
of innate curiosity. Either way, essential oils appear to have a
strong
affinity with dogs, and they do their work on several levels.
There is much confusion in the United States as to what
aromatherapy is and
how it can help to calm animals. Aromatherapy for pets does not
involve
lighting candles or incense on the floor around your pet. It does not
involve potpourri, raspberry or pear scented bubble bath, or new age
mantras. What is does involve is the use of pure, unadulterated
essential
oils, which are specifically diluted for use with dogs. That dilution
is
usually on par with what you would use for a human baby of one year of
age-
or, 25% of the dose you would give to an adult. Of course, there are
certain
essential oils which we would avoid using on children, and we avoid
using
those on dogs as well. But for the purpose of calming, those
potentially
risky, high-ketone or irritating essential oils would never be
employed.
When I refer to the fact that essential oils work for dogs on
several
levels, I am referring to the physical, the spiritual and the
emotional.
Physically, essential oils are concentrated substances which contain
very
distinct organic chemical constituents. This is what determines their
range
of activity on canine or human physiology- or, whether or not an oil
is
calming or stimulating, irritating or anti-inflammatory, anti-viral or
antibacterial.
For the purpose of calming, we look for essential oils which
contain high
levels of esters, linalol alcohols and other organic chemicals. Some
of
these oils include lavender, marjoram, green mandarin, petitgrain,
neroli,
rose, valerian, spikenarde, vanilla, sweet orange, vetiver and ylang
ylang.
These constituents of these essential oils have sedative effects on
the
nervous system. Essential oils contain these types of chemicals in
differing
amounts, and this is also what makes one oil smell different from
another
while still offering a similar effect. When you topically apply an
essential
oil blend to the neck and chest of a dog you wish to calm, you are
providing
a means for the essential oils to evaporate from the fur and be
inhaled.
Once inhaled, the large nasal cavity of the canine gives plenty of
area for
the aromatic essential oil molecules to be absorbed into the
bloodstream.
Not only in the nasal cavity, but also the sinuses, throat and lungs.
It is
in this way that essential oils act so quickly, exhibiting varying
degrees
of calming effect.
The second way that essential oils work on animals is what I refer
to as
"spiritually". A more apt term would probably be
vibrationally, however, I
have found over the years that many shy away from that term, seeing
that it
implies something unknown, unseen and unproven. If you are familiar
with
Bach Rescue Remedy, or use any flower essences, then you are using
vibrational remedies. These forms of energy healing affect the
emotional
states of the body, mind and aura. If you tend to disprove this sort
of
thing, thatıs perfectly fine. But hundreds of holistic veterinarians
using
flower essences on animals canıt all be wrong. Essential oils, like
flower
essences, also carry their own vibrational energy and kirlian
photography of
certain essential oils and individuals having just used essential oils
shows
vibrant changes in the bodyıs energy field (aura), as well as vibrant
colors. Essential oils have a very powerful life force, as they truly
are
the embodiment of the very soul of the plant from which they were
taken. In
this way, essential oils of varying frequencies can aid in calming a
frightful or hyperactive dog.
The third method in the aromatic calming trio is that of an
emotional
aspect. The application of essential oils to an animal involves human
touch-
something which all animals constantly crave and need for their
domestic
survival. I always suggest that essential oil blends be applied in the
most
positive manner- most often, via a tender and loving massage which
will
bring pet and owner closer together. This aspect is particularly
important
when we consider the Pavlovian behaviors which dogs exhibit in
response to
certain stimuli. Pavlov trained his dog to salivate at the sound of a
bell
by offering food every time the bell was rung. You too, can train your
dog
to react calmly and serenely to the application of essential oils by
rewarding your dog with a massage during application, and initially
applying
the essential oils at a calm and positive moment. The scent of the
essential
oils will thus trigger the rewarding experience, and much like
Pavlovıs dog
salivating at the sound of the bell, a calm state of mind will be
produced
at the scent of the essential oils associated with the positive
experience.
While animals may be fully capable of producing pure emotional
responses to
essential oils as humans do, there is no scientific research to
support
this, so we must rely on the simple fact that dogs relate experience
to
experience via trained behavioral patterns. It is in this way that
essential
oils can work to produce to most positive behavioral modification.
Essential oils can safely and effectively be used in a variety of
situations, and they have no known interactions with other holistic
remedies
or allopathic drugs or tranquilizers. Many dog owners find that often,
a
combination of holistic remedies is necessary to achieve an optimum
effect.
For instance, a pet owner who is at work all day but with a dog who is
fearful of storms might consider using flower essences on a daily
basis. On
a day when storms are forecast, the owner might give an aromatherapy
massage
to the dog 5-10 minutes before leaving, in conjunction with an herbal
pet
calming tablet. The effect of the aromatherapy will last anywhere from
30-60
minutes. While the herbal tablet is being digested itıs calming
effect will
then begin later as needed. This same pet owner might even consider
having
an aromatherapy diffuser with a timer in the same room as the dog, set
to go
off at hourly intervals, diffusing the calming essential oils into the
air.
When creating calming blends for dogs, I never suggest the use of a
single
oil. Essential oils work most effectively when they are combined with
one
another. This concept is referred to as synergy, and simply relates to
the
fact that the differing chemical compositions of essential oils is
such that
where one leaves off, another picks up and does the job. I usually
suggest
blends of 3-5 essential oils at a time. All blends should be made
using what
you know to be pure, unadulterated, therapeutic grade essential oils-
be
they ones you purchased on your own, or in a blend made by an
aromatherapist
who has experience in working with animals. I have found that many pet
owners prefer to leave the use of essential oil blending in the hands
of
professionals such as myself, but if you possess a basic knowledge of
aromatherapy, and have respect for these powerful substances, you too
can
create a calming blend for use with your dog. If not, safely
pre-blended oil
blends and sprays do exist, made specifically for dogs.
Simple Canine Calming Blend
1 oz. vegetable base oil (olive, sweet almond, sunflower, sesame,etc)
3 drops Lavender essential oil
3 drops Marjoram essential oil
3 drops Green Mandarin essential oil
3 drops Neroli essential oil
3 drops Valerian or Spikenarde essential oil
Shake well and store in a dark glass bottle, such as cobalt blue or
amber.
For dosing, the size of the dog is the determining factor. I
recommend 2-6
drops, depending on whether the dog is small, medium, large or extra
large.
A toy or tea cup breed might need only one drop, while a Great Dane
would
receive 6, or possibly 8. Always start off with the smallest amount
and work
your way up. Always initially introduce essential oils in the most
positive
manner. Never apply the oils near the eyes, or directly on the nose.
Always
be sure that they are properly diluted.
Kristen Leigh Bell is a Certified Master Aromatherapist and member
of the
National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. She is the founder and
president of Aromaleigh Inc, a company specializing in holistic
aromatherapy
products for pets. Her articles have appeared in various pet
publications
nationwide. She is presently writing a book on holistic aromatherapy
for
pets. She can be reached via http://www.aromaleigh.com
Additional Resources:
For pre-blended canine aromatherapy products: http://www.aromaleigh.com
For essential oil bottles and mixing supplies: http://www.lavenderlane.com
For pure, excellent quality essential oils: http://www.sabia.com
http://www.naturesgift.com
http://www.amrita.net
For further information, aromatherapy articles, resources, products
and
education, please visit http://www.aromaleigh.com
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