Using essential oils to calm your dog during grooming and bathtime
When combined with a gentle approach, essential oils can go a long way toward keeping your dog calm and content during grooming.
Essential oils are a popular trend – and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Over the past decade, the health benefits of these therapeutic plant extracts have come to greater light, and pet parents everywhere are turning to them as a way to support their animal companions, both emotionally and physically. Not sure how to incorporate essential oils into your dog’s life? There are a number of ways harness their positive effects during grooming!
Safety and benefits
There are a number of safety factors to consider when using essential oils around dogs. First, make sure you’re working with pure, high-quality essential oils that are safe for dogs. If you’re unsure, talk to your vet. When you begin an aromatherapy grooming session, take care to avoid sensitive areas such as his eyes and mucous membranes. Pay attention to his body language – if he seems calm and relaxed, that’s a good indication that the essential oils are having a positive effect. If he seems agitated or fearful, try a different oil another day. The key is to find one that works for him!
There are also countless benefits of using essential oils, and they all enhance the grooming process:
1. Calming – Certain essential oils, like lavender and chamomile, have soothing properties that work to calm the nervous system. They’re often a great solution for dogs that are antsy or energetic during grooming!
2. Reduce stress and anxiety – It’s not uncommon for dogs to feel stressed or anxious during grooming, especially if the wrong tool and/or approach is used. Diffusing the calming essential oils mentioned above can help reduce these uneasy feelings.
3. Promote skin health – Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, eucalyptus, lemongrass and cedarwood are just a few examples of essential oils that can be used to reduce itching and other skin issues. Always be sure to dilute essential oils before rubbing them directly on your pet’s skin, or invest in a product like Betty’s Best Healthy Skin that’s formulated for topical use!
Products that give you the benefits of essential oils
Chances are, simply diffusing essential oils while grooming will have a positive effect on you or your pet. But why not take things a step further and truly harness the benefits these plant-based ingredients have to offer?
Consider trying grooming products that contain essential oils. Betty’s Best Healthy Skin is made of plant ingredients and essential oils known for their medicinal properties. The formulation is pH balanced and approved by veterinarians, taking the guesswork out of the process! Use as a preventative measure in areas that are prone to irritation from bacterial or fungal infection, and if an area shows signs of irritation. During mosquito, flea and tick season, spray the product liberally all over the body before the dog spends time outside to fend off these biters.
Betty’s Best also offers Skin and Coat Cloth Wipes, which contain essential oils that work to cleanse, deodorize, nourish, and soothe the skin and coat – with no perfume or artificial ingredients added. These bamboo wipes can be used as a safe, effective alternative for dogs who dislikes bath time, or to help with daily clean-ups and full-body coat cleanings. There are two Grooming Cloth sizes to choose from.
For an extremely stinky or dirty dog coat, use the Skin & Coat Stain Remover along with the wipes. Start at the head, take the moistened cloth and clean around the eyes first, then the face and ears, followed by the chest. In this way the soothing essential oils can be near the dog's nose to help soothe anxiety. Continue by using the cloth wipe in a soothing, stroking motion in the direction of the fur on all parts of the body, top to bottom. For greater comfort, use the cleansing wipe from one part of the body to the next, step-by-step in a continuous fluid motion, always keeping a hand on the dog to offer security.
If you’re new to essential oils, don’t fret. There are plenty of great ways to use them safely when grooming your dog – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the benefits!