As pet owners, we always want the best for our furry friends. From high-quality food to regular exercise, we do everything we can to keep them healthy and happy. But did you know that aromatherapy can be an effective tool in veterinary medicine? In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of aromatherapy for pets and how it's being used in veterinary medicine.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote healing and well-being. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. When inhaled, essential oils can have a powerful effect on the body and mind, promoting relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving mood.

So how does aromatherapy work in veterinary medicine? Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits:

1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Just like humans, pets can experience stress and anxiety in a variety of situations, from vet visits to thunderstorms. Aromatherapy can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in pets, making them more comfortable and less likely to exhibit fearful behaviours.

2. Pain management: Essential oils like lavender and peppermint have natural analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain in pets. This can be particularly useful for pets suffering from chronic pain or recovering from surgery.

3. Improving skin and coat health: Essential oils like tea tree and eucalyptus have natural antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help to improve skin and coat health in pets.

4. Boosting the immune system: Some essential oils have natural immune-boosting properties that can help to support your pet's overall health and well-being.

So, how is aromatherapy being used in veterinary medicine? Here are some examples:

1. During veterinary exams and procedures: Aromatherapy can be used to create a calming environment for pets during exams and procedures, reducing stress and anxiety and making the experience more comfortable.

2. At home: Pet owners can use aromatherapy diffusers or sprays to help calm their pets during stressful situations like thunderstorms or car rides.

3. In conjunction with other therapies: Aromatherapy can be used in combination with other therapies, like massage or acupuncture, to enhance their effectiveness and provide an even greater level of relaxation and pain relief.

Image courtesy of CEVA Animal Health

Safety - An Important Message

It's important to note that not all essential oils are safe for pets. Some oils, like tea tree and wintergreen, can be toxic if ingested. That's why it's important to consult with a veterinarian before using aromatherapy with your pet. Additionally, essential oils should always be diluted before use, as their concentrated form can be irritating to pets' sensitive noses and skin.

As veterinarians, we have seen or heard of cases in which animals have been seriously harmed as a result of exposure to essential oils. The causes of harm may include:

1. Using poor quality/adulterated essential oils - oils ain't oils! Extraction processes, plant cultivation and post extraction processing can affect end quality. Storage in cool, dark areas is also critical for prevention of oxidation.
2. Using excessive quantities/concentrations of the oils (e.g. consistently diffusing one type of oil, or applying directly to the patient neat or at too high a concentration)
3. Using diffusers in poorly ventilated areas, where animals cannot move away
4. Use of oils that are not safe e.g. pennyroyal, wintergreen. With cats, avoid any citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils.

How to use aromatherapy safely

Diffusing most oils will be well-tolerated if done in well ventilated areas, for short periods of time per day with rotation of oils (not all day every day). Pets should be able to remove themselves from the area if they wish.

• Essential oils can be applied topically to dogs, but should only be done diluted in a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut, hempseed, jojoba or sweet almond oil and under veterinary instruction as some oils can cause a photosensitisation reaction (e.g. bergamot), and may react with medications or be problematic in particular circumstances (e.g. rosemary in dogs prone to seizures)
• Avoid topical essential oil use in cats. Hydrosols (floral waters) are a much safer alternative for cats.

At Nelson Bay Vet, we stock products from the Shy Tiger range, including their Soothe and Calm Day, Night and Puppy products.

In conclusion, aromatherapy can be a useful tool in veterinary medicine for reducing stress and anxiety, managing pain, improving skin and coat health, and boosting the immune system. If you're interested in using aromatherapy with your pet, be sure to consult with a veterinarian first and use only high-quality, pet-safe essential oils.

For more information about the use of aromatherapy for pets, we recommend www.animalaromatherapy.com.
For more information about safety in the use of aromatherapy for pets, we recommend this PDF on essential oil safety from NAHA, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy in the USA.