THE CALM OF LAVENDER

Using the Calm of Lavender with Your Companion.

Guest Blogger | Wendi Ell

One of the most widely-used and effective essential oils, beneficial for pets such as cats, dogs and horses, is Lavender essential oil. It can be used for a variety of reasons, but is most commonly used for its calming properties. 

Our pets are highly sensitive to aromatherapy and can benefit simply by capturing the airborne molecules to their olfactory system. While dogs can detect smells 50,000 times greater than our own, cats have an even more acute sense of smell. Horses, with their keen sensibility and intuition, oftentimes self-medicate by drawing in the molecules through each nostril individually, sending it to different systems within their body.

Keeping in mind that certain essential oils can be a bit overwhelming to pets, it is necessary to respect the nose space and "ask" first before forcing Lavender at their snouts. Hold the bottle with the cap on and ask your pet to come closer, allowing them to reach toward it, presenting the scent on terms they can handle and are comfortable with. Since they won’t know what to expect at first, It sometimes takes extra time or multiple tries to decide, but you should see clear signs either way. For dogs, subtle acceptance signs include licking the air, presenting a paw, lying down or being submissive. Horses show signs of approval by closing their eyes, dropping the head, chewing, reaching or sometimes grabbing the bottle. While cats, on the other hand, approve simply by not running the other direction.

Harley

I introduced Lavender to our American Mastiff, Harley (pictured right) because of her understandable insecurity issues after coming to us, as we were her third home.  With obvious traits of Anatolian Shepherd, we quickly discovered she wasn’t the typical laid-back, aloof mastiff – always on high guard, overly protective and easily allowed situations to escalate. The calming properties of Lavender essential oil absorb quickly, and help her maintain composure and control her anxiety levels in certain situations. 

Even though she is an extra large dog, only a small dab is needed, transferred to the underside webbing of each of her paws and on the tips of her ears. Harley loves Lavender essential oil so much that she insists on licking my hands clean before we’re done. Applying Lavender can be done with smaller dogs, too, by first diluting with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil (liquid) or organic extra virgin olive oil.

Other beneficial uses of Lavender essential oil include grief, stress, minor skin irritations, surgery incisions, seasonal irritations, bug bites, bruising and muscle stiffness. If you are new to essential oils and pets, do your homework first – research proper dilution methods and learn which essential oils should be avoided altogether. And remember, quality and purity is the key to safe use and effective results.

For questions, more information or to purchase pure essential oils, visit my EIEIEOs – Essential Oils for Animals page on Facebook.

*Wendi Ell is not a trained medical professional and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The suggested uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always consult your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.