Nowadays, aromatherapy for dogs is becoming an increasingly popular method to improve the well-being of our four-legged friends. Flower waters such as lavender and rose bring not only pleasant scents, but also a range of therapeutic benefits that can promote relaxation and calm our pets’ nerves. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to properly use aromatherapy for our pooches and explain why flower waters are better suited for your furry friend’s coat care and overall well-being than essential oils.
Scents and dogs
Did you know that dogs have a sense of smell 30 times more sensitive than humans and cats even 40 times more sensitive? The sense of smell is much more developed in animals, which means that our four-legged friends can sense things that we completely ignore. Thanks to their developed sense of smell, they can sense approaching storms, earthquakes, or even their owners’ emotional states such as anxiety or nervousness. Just as humans react to different scents, dogs and cats like to surround themselves with pleasant aromas and often react to unpleasant smells by turning their heads away.
Aromatherapy for dogs: essential oils vs. flower waters
When working with aromatherapy, it is important to remember that essential oils (EOs) can be too intense for animals because they attach strongly to their fur and can be with them for hours or even days. In contrast, floral waters (CWs) or hydrolats are much more acceptable to dogs and cats. They can be used both internally and applied to the skin, making them a great choice for the health and beauty care of our pets.
How to use flower waters for dogs?
Flower waters have a wide range of benefits that can improve the quality of life of your dogs:
- Soothe skin: rose and lavender water help soothe irritated skin.
- Pleasant scent: they refresh and give dogs a lovely scent between baths.
- Promoting relaxation: lavender and chamomile water help relax dogs suffering from stress, for example during storms.
- Antimicrobial properties: keep skin and coat healthy and free of bacteria.
- Hydration: they help to moisturize the skin and coat, especially in hot or dry weather.
- Natural formula: no chemical additives, ideal for dogs with sensitive skin.
- Coat care: improve the texture and shine of the coat.
- Promoting emotional health: Contribute to a sense of well-being and happier behaviour.
- Repellent effect: Lavender flower water has the ability to repel insects such as ticks.
How to properly apply flower waters to dogs
Never spray flower water directly on your dog’s nose and eyes. Rather, spray it into your hands, let your dog smell it to see if he likes it and then rub it behind his ears. Or you can spray a small amount of flower water from behind the dog in the area between the ears.
- To relieve travel stress: use neroli flower water.
- For nervousness: linden blossom water is helpful.
- For lonely dogs: lavender or Roman chamomile bring calm.
- For general calming (Rescue Remedy): lemon balm and chamomile.
Safety instructions
If your four-legged friend suffers from health problems or allergies, consult your veterinarian about the use of flower waters. Caution is especially important!
Aromatherapy can be a great tool for improving the well-being of your pets. By using flower waters, you are not only taking care of their health, but also supporting their emotional well-being. And if you’re looking for quality flower waters for your pooch, visit our website for a wide range to choose from. If you’re not sure which product is right for your pet, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to help you choose the best option!
You have a cat and you are wondering how to care for it with aromatherapy. Read our previous article – Aromatherapy for cats.