If your dog is not accustomed to essential oils, I would suggest that you start with a 1-2 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba) at the beginning and use the mildest essential oils, such as Rose Otto, Lavender, Chamomile, Neroli, Green Mandarin.

You can use essential oils diluted with base oils such as olive, safflower, jojoba, sweet almond or any other vegetable oil and use it externally and away from head and genitalia area on your dogs.

Herbal Critter Repellent Mix: To make a safe herbal repellent mix for your dog's bedding area, crush dried herbs well. This herbal blend can be used in cedar chip beds or you can simply place the mix in a muslin bag, which can be placed near your dog's bedding area.

Choices of herbs include Peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf, marjoram, rosemary, sage leaves, clove buds, pennyroyal and lavender among others. This herbal mix is for external use only.

For skin troubles (itchy skin, smelly coat, hot spots, allergies, minor rashes), mix 1 oz of each:

Bay Leaf

Lavender

Rosemary

Tea Tree

Glycerin (Optional)

Pour the mixture into a sprayer bottle and shake well. Always refrigerate your blend. You can use this blend by spraying it on your dog�s coat or on his/her hot spots and minor rashes. Do not rub hot spots and rashes, instead spray lightly and leave it to air dry. If the rashes are undetermined, please do not treat your dog and take him/her to see a vet instead.

For nervous dogs, you can use the same ratio, but substitute with following hydrosols:

Turkish Rose

Neroli

Chamomile

This blend can be used as a room spray, bedding spray, or as a coat spray. Use before car rides, vet visits and during other high stress times (fire works, thunderstorms).

A whole fragrant world awaits our canine friends. We must always give importance to safe and responsible use of essential oils and hydrosols on our pets. They have no choices in what we decide is best for them. They trust us; therefore, our responsibility to ensure their proper and safe care is even greater.

The field of aromatherapy is still in the developing stages. We have much to learn and based on the amount of laboratory testing we have seen in the past, we will still be learning for many years to come. Such testing and learning should not be at the expense of our pets! They should not be used as unwilling subjects of experiments by people who are either careless, untrained or worse yet wanting to make a quick buck or a name for themselves in the field of aromatherapy.

Depend on common sense to guide you and protect your canine friend. Make informed decisions for your pets because they depend on you to know best.

Welcome to the fragrant world of canine aromatherapy!

For our dogs,

Sevi Kay

Martin Watt: Publications on essential oils, herbs with referenced safety data. Articles exposing trade hype. http://www.aromamedical.com

A non-commercial site with just about everything you need to know about aromatherapy and essential oils. http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk/

The Aromatherapy Global Online Research Archives is a good non-commercial source for anyone interested in essential oils, blending and more. http://www.nature-helps.com/agora/agora.html

Lavender Cat: A non-commercial site exposing the potential risks about the improper use of aromatherapy on cats. http://www.thelavendercat.com