well-oiled pets (part 1)

There seems to be a lot of information and mis-information on the interwebs about using essential oils (EO) on or around animals, especially cats. So, I thought I’d start a process of education to help reduce the fear with facts.

Of course, each species of animals, as well as each individual critter, has unique considerations when it comes to the use of EO. And, yes, there are species specific sensitivities to compounds within EO. However, they remain a powerful component of a healthy lifestyle for our companion and work animals.

When thinking about EO use with animals and pets, we need to consider some key factors:

• Quality of EO
• Species inherent sensitivities
• Size of the animal
• Type of hair/fur (density/thickness can affect absorption)
• Sense of smell (for some perspective — humans have about 5-6 million scent receptors in our brains, dogs can have up to 300 million)
• Dependence on humans

Perhaps the greatest confusion stems from the sheer volume/types of oils currently on the market. You can find Rose EO for $25/bottle or for $250/bottle.  As we’ve discussed numerous times on this blog, when it comes to essential oils QUALITY is CRUCIAL.

According to the FDA, an EO can be labeled as “100% essential oil” if it contains at least 5% essential oil.
Let that sink in for a moment.

This means that the other 95% can be anything, literally – toxins, carrier oils (which you or your pet could be sensitive or allergic to), petroleum…anything.

As with humans, this is why it’s vitally important to make sure you are using the highest-quality, therapeutic grade, organic, independently tested essential oils.

This requires a process of researching how oils are sourced and produced, including how and where they are grown; the quality of the soil and water; when and how they are harvested, distilled, packaged, shipped; whether they are tested throughout the entire process to ensure maximum therapeutic constituency; and, for someone like me, how the company treats our natural resources, as well as their employees and the communities where they farm.

In all honesty, this research is what led me to Young Living Essential Oils. After recommendations by several trusted folks who “know their stuff,” and a deep delve into the process of creating an essential oil, I landed at Young Living.

The decision of what “brand” of oils to use is completely up to you. But, a great place to get a basic understanding of the depth of what I mean when I say highest-quality, therapeutic grade, organic, medicinally tested, sustainably harvested EOs starts with the Seed to Seal process.

At this point, it would be nice to be able to provide you a list of what oils are safe with each of your companion animals, but think of all the oils and various species of critters we share our lives with…it’d be intense.

So, we’ll take a different approach.

According to Essential Oils Animal Desk Reference, some species of animals are, in fact, more sensitive to different naturally occurring chemical compounds found in EO. These scientists caution to be particularly careful when choosing oils that are high in:

• Sesquiterpenes
• Phenols
• Eugenols

Oils containing these chemical compounds are what we commonly refer to as “hot oils” as they draw circulation to the area where applied which can feel warm/hot. Examples include: Oregano, Thyme, Clove, Mountain Savory and Cinnamon Bark.

Small animals, especially cats, can be highly sensitive to stronger oils. It is also true that some cats do not carry the liver enzymes needed to process essential oils high in specific compounds (especially phenols and terpenes as noted above). Again, think Clove, Tea Tree Oil and Citrus oils (Lemon, etc.).

However, they can process many of the other compounds in EO that allow them to enjoy, and benefit from, an oil-infused life.

Knowing these facts, you shouldn’t be afraid to use oils around your pets. It’s simply a process of understanding what natural constituents to avoid based on your companion’s species.

So, how do you know what chemical compounds/constituents an EO contains? Look at the labels.

High-quality EO will list the Latin name of the oil, i.e. Lavandula angustifolia† (Lavender) oil. A quick trip to the Google bar (search for name of the oil + constituents) will let you know if there are eugenols, phenols or terpenes in the specific oil you’re interested in using around your animals.

Please note that you are looking for chemical compounds that end in enol, terpene, enols, terpenes, as well as the full terms listed in the bullets above.

At this point, I’ll also say that the best ways to introduce oils to your animals are by wearing them around your pets or through cool-air diffusion. These methods allow your companions to get familiar with new scents and provide low and slow exposure.

As we continue this journey, we’ll explore other options for use, quantities/percentages for use, possible detox effects and more!

Be sure to forward this to your oil-loving friends with kitties so that they know the facts and can drop the fear and join the revOILution!

As always, forward comments or questions to AlongNourishedPath@gmail.com, visit www.BlossomWithOils.net to pick-up your supplies and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @BlossomWithOils.

Thank you and have a great day!

Original source: Blossom With Oils blog.

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