Ten Articles of Animal Aromatherapy

1) The use of essential oils for cats, ferrets, small-size exotic pets, birds, reptiles, amphibian and fish is very risky.

2) Adaptability of aromatherapy should be considered after proper diagnosis. When animals are under treatment with medication, we need to exercise adequate care, since strong interaction between essential oils and drugs is often detected.

3) Normal values of body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, etc. must be established. It leads to early detection of abnormality by use of essential oils.

4) Before and after applying blended oils to affected areas, a 10 minute hand cleaning with standard soap must be enforced to prevent zoonotic diseases.

5) Use of good quality essential oils is an absolute requirement. Use of essential oils with as much safety data as possible makes it easier to prevent accidents by aromas and to address unexpected legal problems.

6) Patch test is a must. (To find delayed reactions, 72-hour follow up observation may be required.)

7) It is recommended not to practice aromatherapy for puppies under the age of 8 weeks. Enzymes such as CYP and UGT of newborn dogs are incomplete, at the same level in cats.

8) Considering the influence on a fetus during pregnancy, or the influence on newborn animals during lactation, use of essential oils in these periods is not recommended.

9) Should a drop of essential oil enter an eye, rinse it off physically with lukewarm water and try diluting with a pure vegetable oil (corn oil is least irritating and has a positive result).

10) Practice of aromatherapy must be requisite minimum (in concentration, frequency and duration). Easy routine use breaks down the balance of useful normal flora.