Essential Oils For Dog And Cat End-of-life Care

Support your dog or cat through the final stage of her life with safe, high-quality essential oils. Find out how they ease pain, reduce anxiety, and bring comfort to you both.

Caring for a dog or cat in her final phase of life can be emotionally challenging. It may also be physically overwhelming and full of “unknowns.” High-quality essential oils for dog and cat end-of-life care may help both you and your animal manage difficult symptoms and emotions.

Consider your own emotional well-being 

Many people often overlook the animal parent’s well-being. You may be suffering from depression, extreme sadness, and a sense of guilt. Dog and cat parents often feel anticipatory grief weeks or even months before their animals pass. It’s a normal reaction and an unconscious form of coping that assists you to prepare for your upcoming loss.

Supporting your own emotions with essential oils can also benefit your dog or cat. Animals are often very sensitive to our thoughts and feelings. Some “hang on” longer than necessary because they sense their human isn’t ready to let go — even when they are very ill and suffering.  

Essential oils to help you cope

The following essential oils can help you cope with the emotional turmoil of facing your dog or cat’s passing:

• Cedarwood                            
• Sandalwood
• Patchouli                                     
• Vetiver
• Ylang ylang
• Myrrh

These oils contain a high level of “sesquiterpenes,” substances that act quickly to relax and calm the brain. Diffusing the oils or applying them to your skin can calm both you and your animal. 

Essential oils to help ease your dog or cat 

For animals in the final stages of life, essential oils can be a helpful tool for reducing pain.  You can use them alongside medications to decrease overall discomfort and malaise. 

Essential oils work very quickly once inhaled. The brain quickly processes and utilizes them once they move through the nasal cavity. This occurs within seconds to minutes. Essential oils for relieving pain and discomfort include:

• Peppermint — natural source of menthol for soothing
• Wintergreen — “nature’s aspirin”
• Copaiba — high levels of anti-inflammatory components
• Frankincense — highly anti-inflammatory; spiritual pain reliever
• Helichrysum – like a topical anesthetic
• Lavender — relaxing and helps with mild discomfort
• Pine — anti-inflammatory action

As the end of life nears, many dogs and cats will experience loss of appetite, nausea, and possible diarrhea/vomiting. You can use essential oils to ease stomach or intestinal issues — even if your animal is already on medication. 

• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Tarragon
• Patchouli
• Fennel
• Lemon
• Bergamot

In summary, essential oils for dog and cat end-of-life care can provide comfort and emotional balance for you and your animal. They also help reduce feelings of guilt and despair during the final stages of your animal’s life. In addition, essential oils offer a more peaceful transition (see sidebar on page xx), whether from natural death or euthanasia. 

Important note about essential oil use

Be sure to use only the highest-quality therapeutic grade essential oils. Cheap products can be harmful to dogs and cats. 

Don’t give your dog or cat essential oils orally unless you’re working with a veterinarian experienced with their use. Use diluted oils topically, diffuse them, or let your pet sniff from the bottle. These methods are safer and more effective for dogs and cats. 

When it’s time for transition 

A variety of essential oils can help your dog or cat experience a smooth, non-stressful transition:

• A proprietary blend of oils — ylang ylang, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, grapefruit, tangerine, spearmint, lemon, blue cypress, blue tansy, davana, rose  
• Frankincense — claimed to help with spiritual connection
• Rose — supports the “emotional” heart; very relaxing to the brain
• Davana — helps balance stress hormones; powerfully relaxing

In my practice, I ask the dog or cat parent to place a few drops of oil in their palms, rub them together, then inhale the aroma. Next, they gently cup their hands near the animal’s nose so she can inhale the scents. This method tends to bring the energies of both human and animal together for a more peaceful transition.

Supporting your own emotions with essential oils can also benefit your dog or cat. 

You can use essential oils alongside medications to decrease overall discomfort and malaise in your dog or cat.

The post Essential oils for dog and cat end-of-life care appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.