The trend these days is to go natural when it comes to health. People are becoming more and more health conscious, not just for themselves, but for their pets and their Chihuahuas too.
I for one prefer to go “natural” or “holistic” when it comes to health care my four (5 if you count Lucy our cat and she certainly counts to me!) little munchkins whenever possible as a complement to traditional veterinary medicine. However, in my years of studying canine health, I have learned that “natural” or “holistic” does not necessarily mean safe.
And even if it is safe, some assume that if it is safe for humans it is safe for their Chihuahuas. This view, however, can be very dangerous. Although they are part of our family, they are still dogs and their whole bodies, their endocrine, skeletal, digestive, etc, systems are different than ours. Therefore their bodies react differently than ours to things ingested and environmental conditions.
It is true that in many ways they are like us and according to the AKC dogs are even more like us than we have previously thought. But, unless you are a veterinarian, you cannot know what human medicine or treatment, holistic, natural, or otherwise is safe for your Chihuahua.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are made from highly concentrated plant substances. They have become very popular recently and are often advertised as natural treatment options or even alternatives to traditional medicine, treating everything from anxiety to skin conditions. They are said to treat these ailments in both humans and pets.
There is hard evidence suggesting specific aromas can stimulate different parts of the brain and body, and the practice of aromatherapy is beneficial for both humans and pets when used with a diffuser.
Some essential oils are used as a topical treatment for some ailments. Essential oils for humans or dogs are rapidly absorbed into the system. Just a few drops can make a huge difference. That is true whether they are received orally (by mouth) or through the skin as a topical treatment. These can cause problems (some very serious) in senior Chihuahuas and puppies.
The ASPCA cites essential oils as one of the most common toxicities in both cats and dogs
~ ASPCA
Essential Oils That Are Toxic To Dogs
Essential oils used improperly can lead to changes in behavior, negatively affect the central nervous system and the respiratory system. All of these can be very serious and some are actually poisonous to dogs.
Here is a list of essential oils that are toxic and poisonous to dogs and you should never use for your Chihuahua for any reason:
- Cinnamon oil
- Citrus oil
- Clove oil
- Oil of sweet birch
- Pine oils
- Tea tree oil
- Wintergreen
- Ylang ylang
- Pennyroyal oil
- Pine oils
- Tea tree oil
- Wintergreen
If you use any of these essential oils for yourself or your family, please make sure that your Chihuahua can in no way accidently come in contact with it.
Why Then Are They So Popular?
Some are actually safe for dogs and if used properly may help for many things. For example, placing a few drops of lavender oil on a dog’s bedding may help calm them, or it may just cause further stress. Also like humans, dogs are individuals and two Chihuahuas may react differently to certain substances. So if you do decide to use essential oils for your Chihuahua please keep in mind that although your neighbor’s Chi had a favorable reaction to a certain essential oil, that same essential oil may have an adverse effect on your Chihuahua.
I have personally used some and I know that there are some that have definitely helped my Chihuahuas in one way or another. But, be sure that you are absolutely positive it is not one that is toxic to dogs before you use any essential oil for your Chihuahua. Whenever possible, it is best to use one that is specifically formulated for dogs.
Some Essential Oils That Are Generally Safe For Dogs:
This is a list of essential oils recommended by canine aromatherapist Kristen Leigh Bell. Not all of them have been tested on animals. I recommend talking to your veterinarian before using any of them.
- Carrot Seed Oil is good for use in skincare, first aid, healing, and scarring. It’s reported to be very gentle.
- Cedarwood Atlas oil is used to improve circulation helps deter fleas, and for skincare.
- Chamomile, German oil is recommended as a skin-soothing anti-inflammatory, for burns, allergic reactions, and skin irritations.
- Chamomile, Roman Is reported to be intensely calming and antispasmodic. It’s been used as wound care and for teething pain.
- Clary sage is different from the common garden sage and is gentle, sedating, and calming.
- Eucalyptus radiate is known to be the gentlest, best tolerated, and most versatile eucalyptus (there are many). It’s anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and used as an expectorant. Diffuse as a room air cleaner, deodorizer, and flea repellent.
- Geranium is antifungal. For skin ailments, yeast overgrowth, fungal ear infections. Ticks dislike all rose fragrances, including this one.
- Ginger is fresh, warm, and spicy. Good for motion sickness, upset tummy, sprains, strains, and arthritis.
- Helichrysum smells horrible but is very effective for healing skin conditions, cuts, abrasions, wounds, injuries, and relieves pain.
- Lavender is used by pet aromatherapy products more than any other essential oil. It’s gentle, antibacterial, anti-itch, stimulates rapid healing acts as a sedative, very relaxing, and is deodorizing.
- Mandarin, Green is sweet, relaxing. Used to calm fear, anxiety, and stress. Only use green mandarin, avoid the red mandarin they are not the same.
- Marjoram, Sweet has an herbal fragrance and is calming, antispasmodic (used for epilepsy, and seizures) is a strong antibacterial. It is a recommended replacement for tea tree oil for pets (tree oils are toxic to dogs). Also used to treat bacterial skin infections, wound care, repel insects, and reduces undesirable behaviors of intact (not neutered) males.
- Myrrh has a deep warm, earthy fragrance. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral. Good for puppy teething pain and irritated skin. Boosts immune system and may repel ticks.
- Orange, Sweet has a very pleasant smell and calms, deodorizes, repels fleas, and treats skin conditions. Use organic to avoid pesticide residues.
- Peppermint essential oil is a digestive aid and stimulates circulation for injuries, sprains, strains, and arthritis. It is used as an insect repellent. Reported to relieve pain and itching, prevent nausea, and motion sickness. (to prevent motion sickness mix one tablespoon vegetable oil, seven drops of ginger, and eight drops of peppermint. Give three drops orally.) Peppermint oil is very toxic to cats.
- Rose Makes any shampoo, spray, or grooming product luxurious. It stabilizes the central nervous system and is calming.
- Valerian is very relaxing and helpful for separation anxiety or fear of loud noises, storms, fireworks, and new situations.
Conclusion:
I personally believe in the efficacy of some of these essential oils. When you speak with a veterinarian, it is best to find one that is open to natural, holistic, and alternative veterinarian care as a complement to traditional veterinary medicine.
As long as used correctly and properly they can be very effective as a treatment for some skin conditions, anxiety and even pain.
