Does Aromatherapy Calm Your Pets? Pet-friendly Incense & Essential Oils

Using natural fragrances for pets, such as essential oils and incense sticks, may be unfamiliar territory for many of us. Do they genuinely help our pets be calm and relaxed? It's important to understand how essential oils and natural aromatherapy might benefit our pets' emotional wellness.

Having a pet in the house provides us with joy and love. They help us become more responsible and disciplined, as well as improve our physical and mental health. Communicating with pets such as dogs, cats, and birds relieves tension and anxiety while also restoring one's peace of mind. Playing with, training, and caring for your dogs is therapeutic. If your pets feel anxious, restless, or stressed, there could be an underlying issue.

What is causing your dog’s anxiety and restlessness?

Like humans, dogs also tend to have anxiety which manifests in the form of aggression, destructive behavior, barking, depression, restlessness, pacing, and more. Anxiety in dogs is common due to the following reasons:

• Fear of loud noises, unfamiliar people, being stuck inside all day, or being in a new place.
• Separation anxiety develops when dogs are left alone for an extended period of time or are separated from their family members. As a result, the dog destroys the furniture, gnaws on the shoes, barks, and urinates in the house.
• Age-related anxiety is seen in older dogs as a result of memory, and sensory loss, which is similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans. This causes confusion, fear, and anxiety.

The best method to deal with your pet's emotional outburst is to consult with your veterinarian. They can assist you in dealing with the situation more effectively. If the cause of their worry is not health-related, you can spend some quality time with them, keeping them busy and active. You can also create a relaxing and pleasant environment. There are 100% natural pet essential oils and pet incense sticks that are specifically designed for use around pets considering their sensitivity to smell. These natural remedies can help soothe your pets, stabilize their mood, and enhance their overall health along with your tender, loving care. 

Sensitivity of Dogs and Cats

Dogs have 40 times more smell receptors than humans, allowing them to detect fragrances better than humans. Studies conducted in the mid-1900s in France and Germany found that essential oils have therapeutic properties in pet animals, so it is not a new concept. Their life revolves around the sense of smell, and they are more sensitive, so it is important to use natural essential oils that are designed for pets.

Cats, with their highly developed sense of smell, are equally sensitive to their environment. Their noses may not have the sheer number of smell receptors as dogs, but their sensitivity to certain compounds makes it crucial to choose the right fragrances. Unlike dogs, cats lack specific liver enzymes, making them more vulnerable to toxicity from many substances, including certain essential oils. This makes it all the more important to use only pet-safe products specifically formulated for our feline friends. 

Is Aromatherapy safe for pets?

Yes, aromatherapy can be safe for pets when done correctly. The key lies in using only pet-friendly incense sticks and essential oils that are specifically formulated to be safe for animals. It's important to choose products designed with their safety in mind. Always ensure that the oils are properly diluted, avoid direct application, and use them in well-ventilated spaces. At incensesticks.com, we prioritize your pets' health by offering safe, natural products that allow you to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy without putting your furry friends at risk.

How to safely use Essential oils for pets

We often wonder how fragrances extracted from flowers and natural herbs can help to soothe and stabilize our pets. The science behind aromatherapy for pets is quite simple. When pets inhale essential oil fragrances, the scent molecules enter the bloodstream through the lungs and go to the olfactory bulb (the part of the brain that receives neural input about smell). This bulb is directly linked to the limbic system, which is in charge of emotional responses, memory, and learning. This is why we can associate some of our happy memories with smell.

The fragrance from pet essential oils can calm and relax your dog’s mind, thereby regulating its emotional responses. Essential oil fragrance also fosters happy feelings in your dog and improves sleep. This is similar to how we smell something nice that makes us feel good. Aside from that, essential oils promote immunological health and have other therapeutic effects on pets.

1. Dilution is Key

Essential oils are highly concentrated, so diluting them is crucial for your pet’s safety. For pets, the recommended dilution is much lower than for humans—typically around 0.1% to 0.5%. This means you should use only one or two drops of essential oil per ounce (approximately 30ml) of a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond oil. Dilution reduces the potency of the oils, making them gentler on your pet's sensitive respiratory system. Undiluted oils can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, or even toxicity, especially in smaller animals.

2. Use a Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is a safer method for introducing aromatherapy to your pets. Use a cool mist diffuser instead of heat-based diffusers, as heat can alter the chemical composition of the oils. Place the diffuser in a well-ventilated room where your pet can leave if they find the scent overwhelming. When preparing the diffuser, use only 1-2 drops of essential oil per 500ml of water. This diluted concentration reduces the risk of overwhelming your pet’s sensitive senses and prevents any adverse reactions. Start with short diffusion periods, such as 5 to 10 minutes, and gradually increase the time if your pet shows no signs of discomfort. Always ensure your pet has access to fresh air and an escape route.