Essential Oils and our Dogs

Judea and her bed are on the floor where substances accumulate.

I love using fragrances in my home but must admit that I never gave much thought about the effects that these smells might be having on my precious dogs.

While surfing the internet, an article popped up and caused me great alarm. The candles, home fragrances, and essential oils that I have been using may be harming my beloved dogs who I want to take the very best care of and protect them. To think that I could be doing something that would hurt them was - is- completely unacceptable.

Because of this concern, I did some additional reading and came across some lists. In addition to the lists, I came to realize just how much more my pups are exposed to these scents and possible toxins more than we humans the caretakers.

Dogs have an amazing ability to smell things many times more than we do. They are also lower to the floor where the scents drop They are also on the floor where the residue of the sprays, diffusion, and burnings collect and then get on our pets coats. As our animals lick themselves, they actually ingest these possibly dangerous, even toxic, substances.

I found the following list on a link provided by iHeartDogs.com

“Some oils that are generally considered safe for dogs when used correctly are:

• Cardamom - Diuretic, anti-bacterial, normalizes appetite, colic, coughs, heartburn and nausea

• Cedarwood - helps to repel fleas, ticks, and dog lice

• Chamomille - promotes relaxation and calming

• Frankincense - has helped in some cases of cancer. Works on the immune system. Has reduced tumors and external ulcers. Increases blood supply to the brain (although it can worsen hypertension so use caution)

• Lavender - can help with relaxation and motion sickness

• Spearmint - helps to reduce weight. Good for colic, diarrhea, nausea. Helps balance metabolism, stimulates gallbladder.

Essential oils that can be safely used with cats in the correct dosage

Remember that cats are much more sensitive to essential oils than other animals. Oils used with cats must be highly diluted and some oils should be avoided altogether. Use therapeutic-grade oils. Do not use essential oils designed for aromatherapy. Do not use oils on cats daily. Use them sparingly and only on an as-needed basis. Always give a cat an escape if you're using a diffuser for yourself.

Some oils that are generally considered safe for cats when used correctly are:

• Cardamom

• Cedarwood

• Frankincense

• Geranium

• Helichrysum

• Lavender

• Myrrh

Essential oils that can be toxic to pets (especially undiluted)

For cats, avoid using:

• Citrus Oils

• Clove

• Basil

• Birch

• Cassia

• Cinnamon

• Clove

• Fennel

• Melaleuca (tea tree)

• Oregano

• Peppermint

• Thyme

• Wintergreen

For dogs, avoid using:

• Anise

• Clove

• Horseradish

• Juniper

• Thyme

• Wintergreen

• Yarrow”

I hope that this gives you a better awareness of something we might be doing that could potentially harm our wonderful pets.

Holiday Safety Thought #2

Christmas decorations create a beautiful and an almost magical display in our homes.  For us humans these pretty ornaments and plants are understood to be just that - decorations. However, our pets are often fascinated with these new "toys" that seem to them to offer fun, play, and even a treat to munch on.  Please take great care and protect your precious dogs, cats, and other pets!

Christmas trees need to be secured so they can't topple over if our pets try to jump on or climb.  Fast moving dogs can upside down an unsteady tree in a heart beat. Locate the tree where it is safe from exploring critters who are curious about an outdoor tree moving inside! Friends of mine placed their tree in their enclosed porch with glass doors. The humans get to enjoy it without worrying about their pets toppling their tree or, much worse, their beloved pet getting dangerously hurt.  

I knew that eating tinsel and various ornaments can cause intestinal blockages, but I never gave much thought to the needles of the real or artificial tree. They can perforate the intestines' wall and cause life-threatening leakages and infections. This is another big reason to locate our trees out of reach of our beloved pets.

Popcorn balls or strings are yummy temptations and can cause our pets to tug at the tree and destroy our lovely evergreen. Remember that mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia plants are toxic and will poison our loving, four-legged family members  

Electrical lights and cords can electrocute and kill when chewed on or strangle when played with and our pets get wrapped up. Secure all wires

Fires in the fireplace are cozy but please protect your pet from getting burned by placing a sturdy fire screen.  One of my pups loves the warmth so much that she gets much too close. Her tail could easily go up in flames if a safe barrier were not there to keep her out of harm's way.  This applies to burning candles as well.  Keep them up and away from your pets and the possibility of getting knocked over.  A friend's apartment went up in smoke quite literally from a candle being knocked over by a wagging tail.

A good rule of thumb is to think first and use only decorations that we are absolutely positive will not become a potential danger to our pets. Err on the side of caution every time. I would rather have a safe and happy holiday than one spent in the veterinarian's hospital.

God bless you all and have a blessed, peace-filled holiday. Thank  You