Many people tout the benefits of aromatherapy, especially when used in conjunction with essential oils and even meditation. Like most things that are good for humans, aromatherapy can also benefit your dog and be used to reduce anxiety related to separation, storm phobia, or past trauma. (Or just mellow him or her out before a road trip.)

The practice of aromatherapy dates back over 3,000 years to when Egyptians used aromatherapy in the form of incense to honor their gods. Additionally, for centuries, the practice of using essential oils, the derivatives of plant based materials that comprise aromatherapy, were the only known cure for many ailments and diseases.

According to OrganicFacts.net, “Some of the health benefits of aromatherapy include its ability to reduce anxiety, ease depression, boost energy levels, speed up the healing process, eliminate headaches, boost cognitive performance, induce sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion, and increase circulation.”

While many of these benefits apply to humans, they can also apply to man’s best friend.

Aromatherapy can be a great way to help your dog relax or enhance their mood, but veterinarians should always be consulted before you use essential oils on your pet. As a rule of thumb, essential oils should also be diluted or diffused and not applied directly to your dog’s skin or coat.

Some safe essential oils to use are:

Lavender: Useful in acclimating dogs to new space or den. May reduce allergies, burns, anxiety, or give pets a sleepy feeling which is useful before travel.

Cardamom: Helps with digestion issues and has anti-bacterial properties.

Fennel: Balances pituitary glands and help diffuse toxins in the body.

Spearmint: Helps with weight reduction, colic, and digestive issues. (Also great for cats!)

Want to try aromatherapy with your dog? Select one of the safe essential oils above and start out by applying the oil to yourself and wearing around your pet so they can get used to the scent. Once they have become comfortable with the scent, dilute 3-5 drops (less for smaller dogs) by 80-90% with another safe carrier oil. Once diluted, essential oils are safe to apply to paws or fur (after blending in your own hands). Every animal is different, and you should consult your veterinarian before using essential oils with your pets, especially if there is a specific health ailment that you are trying to address.

Enjoy your aromatherapy and let us know how it goes with your dog!

As humans we know that soothing music can help to mellow us out, but a group of veterinarians conducted a study to test the same theory on kenneled sheltered dogs to see if different types of music could in fact reduce anxiety and improve behavior.

 Originally published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, the Clinical Sciences Department at Colorado State University selected three types of music and studied how the effected 112 sheltered dogs, of varying ages and dispositions. The music included three (3) classical selections, three (3) heavy metal selection, and one (1) anti-anxiety compilation.

After exposing the test group to the different music types, it was determined that the genre of music did effect the shelters dog’s behavior, and that classical music showed to reduce anxiety levels and improve the dog’s overall welfare. They also drew the conclusion that if shelter dogs were less stressed, due to their environment, they could be more likely to be adopted.

These conclusions were drawn because during the classical music selections, the participating dogs were silent and slept more than the heavy metal selections.

If you’d like to choose a playlist to help reduce anxiety in your dog, follow these three easy tips:

Don’t assume your dog likes the same music you do.

Many pet owners, especially those dealing with separation anxiety with their pet, will leave their favorite playlists running when they leave the house. Understand that your dog hears music differently than you do, and typical top-40 “human music” is extremely grating to their ears. Look for “species-specific” music to find some tunes that will appeal to your canine companion.

Check out Through a Dog’s Ear

Building on the research of Dr. Alfred Tomatis’ psycho-acoustic research that asserts music can be used as a nutrient for the nervous system and created an arrangement that triggers the relaxation sensors in your pet. This will help them chill out and get some shut eye.

A Howling Dog is (Sometimes) a Happy Dog

If your dog seems to respond to the music by howling along, let it roll. IT has been proven that dogs do understand musicality such as pitch and tone, and could actually be singing along to the music.

Next time your dog is anxious, try one of these anti-anxiety songs, and see how he or she reacts, we’d love to hear about your experience!

When we accept the responsibility of bringing a dog into the family, we’re committing to providing them a safe shelter and also keeping them as happy and healthy as possible. While routine trips to the vet will keep your pet healthier and disease-free, here are some great things that you can implement at home to keep your dog in top health.

 Keep Your Pet at a Healthy Weight

To keep your pet’s weight in check, make sure that you are feeding them a healthy, nutritious diet and making exercise a part of their daily routine. When pets are overweight, it could actually reduce their life expectancy by two years. Even a slight weight loss for an overweight pet can make a big difference in their overall health. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight for your pet will reduce chronic illness such as kidney disease, heart disease, or even cancer. It will also lessen the risk factor of diabetes, and alleviate joint pain associated with arthritis.

Here’s a great infographic from the AVMA to determine what a healthy weight looks like for your pet:

Keep Your Pet Free from Parasites

A parasite is defined as “an organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.” In dogs, common parasites include heart worms, fleas, mites, and ticks. Your veterinarian can advise you on which treatment will be the most effective for your pet.

If you’re looking for a natural remedy to prevent fleas and ticks try this recipe for natural flea & tick repellant made with:

• 8 oz of Apple Cider Vinegar

• 4 oz of warm water

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

Keep Your Dog Hydrated

Dogs should always have access to a constant supply of water. Especially in extreme hold or cold, it is important to make sure that your dog is not exhibiting symptoms of dehydration, which may include sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, weakness or collapsing. Water should be changed every day, and the bowl should properly cleaned and sterilized once a week to prevent growth of bacteria.

Check and Clean Your Dog’s Ears

Dog are extremely prone to ear infections and ears also provide a warm spot to hide for the parasites mentioned earlier. Check your dog’s ears regularly (once a week), and daily for dogs that have floppy ears. An easy way to clean your dogs ears are by using equal parts vinegar and rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or swab. Strong smells, excessive scratching or irritation or discharge are all signs of an ear infection, and should be treated by a medical professional.

Keep Those Teeth Brushed!

Pros recommend that dog’s teeth are brushed everyday to get rid of plaque and built up bacteria. This will also help reduce “doggy breath” and give you a good opportunity to examine the mouth and make sure everything is looking good (no loose teeth, sores, or bleeding). Use a toothpaste made especially for dogs or you can make this DIY Toothpaste for Dogs using:

• 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
• 2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil

By following these easy at-home tips like these and taking your dog to the vet regularly, your pet will be happy and healthy for a long time to come!