Often I get asked how much of this or that essential oil to use with a dog and how often. I am happy to say that isn’t a question I answer in the conventional sense because that is a conventional focus. As a matter of fact, that is considered prescribing and treating which only licensed practitioners are allowed to do – and I am fine with that. The reason? Because as an animal naturopath, I have a completely different way of thinking about how to use essential oils with dogs.
In fact, we think differently about how to use the oils with animals in general…and in fact how to support them as a whole – whether they are ailing or not – differently.
Often I will respond with a question and say – “well how much do you THINK you ought to use, but better yet WHY are you using it?” And so on. Sometimes I don’t get a happy response because we’ve been so conditioned in our society to ask those type of questions to doctors. I would like to THINK of animal naturopaths as being doctors of thought – helping clients and non-clients alike (should they dare to ask a question as a non-client lol) to logically and critically think through their own questions to arrive at a solution. And of course that can only happen when we are fully engaged and participating in the health and well being of our animals rather than surrendering it to those perceived authorities UNLESS it is a true and dire emergency. When I get those type of questions with a true, dire emergency apparent, I am always THINKING “Um why aren’t they in their car driving to a veterinarian instead of asking questions in online forums or messaging me for the answer?“.
This is why I encourage people to get some knowledge so you CAN make those wise and discerning choices and rather easily.
I approach each of my dog’s as an individual as they each have different needs. While they are the same species of course and require the same type of nutrition (although that also differs a bit between each of them – that does NOT mean I feed them as an omnivore since they ARE carnivores) they each have a way I use essential oils with them that is different than the other.
During the weekly modified raindrop technique* I do on each of my dogs, I do a VERY modified with my Carolina Dog, Schatzie, as she was much more toxic and years older than King, my American Bully) I use different amounts of oils on each of them. With my former Neo Mastiff Shadrach (130 lbs) and my former Great Dane, Meshach (160 lbs), I rarely had to dilute oils on them but I usually only used 2-3 drops of each oil on them. With King and Schatzie I typically use 1 drop that I place in my own hand first with my palm up on King’s back (making that connection), dilute it, then rub my hands together, then up my neck or bottoms of my feet, then up King’s back, and any residual left I use on Schatzie. That has worked so well for us. It’s such a small amount but so effective – and we all three benefit :-). Each of them is individual and because I know my dogs, I know how to accommodate their unique needs.
The questions I would ask here if I knew what raindrop technique is used for is what are the benefits, and why does she do it weekly? And then I’d research that out on my own.
This isn’t the blog post I started out to write but it is the one that came out! So I hope I gave you a little food for thought on not just using essential oils with your dogs, but in general for their whole health. BE sure to qualify the oils – they are NOT all created equal. Most on the market are actually awful and can be harmful for your dog/pet so do your due diligence or contact me to ask me what I suggest.
Until next time…
Have a pawsitively tail waggin’, NATUROPATHICALLY healthy day!
DISCLAIMER: All information contained in Aspenbloom Pet Care is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body or pets and the author, publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
PHOTO ATTRIBUTION: Photographs of King the American Bully and Schatzie the American Dingo and the essential oils by Dr. Kim Bloomer. Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved.
Kim Bloomer, V.N.D., N.D. is an animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal wellness. Dr. Kim is a published author, writer, blogger, host of the DOGgone Truth podcast. Dr. Kim offers Animal Naturopathy Mentoring and Courses. Subscribe to her DOGgone Newsletter for updates or to her blog via email. Copyright ©2005-2024 Aspenbloom Pet Care, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article. The only essential oils referenced on this website are Young Living.
