Essential Oils and Pets: A Quick How-To

If you love using Young Living products in your home, you’ve probably wondered how you can share their amazing benefits with your animals. Which oils are safe to use? How much can I apply? Should I diffuse or apply topically? 

If you’ve ever had questions like these, we’re here to help! Check out this quick-and-easy how-to guide for using essential oils with animals.* Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Most animals are more sensitive than humans to essential oils.

• Start by diluting heavily and use in moderation.

• Every animal is different, so carefully observe how each animal responds to the oils. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods.
• Take special care to not get essential oils in an animal’s eyes.
• Avoid using high-phenol oils such as Oregano and Thyme with any animals, especially cats.
• Use special caution when using essential oils with cats. Cats are also generally averse to citrus essential oils.

Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use.

• For smaller animals like cats and small dogs, use 3–5 drops. Be sure to dilute 80–90 percent prior to application (for example, for every 1 drop of oil, use 4–5 drops of a diluting agent, such as V-6^™Vegetable Oil Complex).
• For larger animals, like large dogs, start with 3–5 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.
• For very large animals, like horses and cattle, start with 10 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.

Apply oils to yourself or diffuse to introduce animals to essential oils and help them get comfortable.

• Wear oils around your animals, diffuse in their space, or apply to your hands and let the animal smell them.
• If your animal is jittery or resistant to essential oils, try applying an oil to yourself and staying near the animal for several minutes so it can get used to the aroma.

Once they’re used to essential oils, animals can respond well to topical application.

• For cats and dogs, paws are a great place to apply essential oils.
• For hoofed animals, we recommend application on the spine or flanks.
• Try rubbing oils onto your own hands and then stroking the animal’s fur.
• For large or hard-to-reach areas, combine essential oils with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or water in a spray bottle for easier application.
• Animal Scents^™ Ointment can be used to seal and protect areas where essential oils have been applied topically.

Essential oils can be administered internally.

• Some essential oils can be mixed with your animal’s food.
• For large animals, you can pull out the bottom lip and drop oils directly into the mouth.

Young Living offers a full line of animal-specific products.

• Animal Scents Shampoo
• Animal Scents Ointment
• Animals Scents oils (available individually)

*If your pet or animal has a known health issue, please consult your veterinarian before administering essential oils.

Get started on your amazing essential oils journey at:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

No Bones About It: Bones Are Unsafe for Your Dog

The idea that it's natural for dogs to chew on bones is a popular one. However, it's a dangerous practice and can cause serious injury to your pet.

Some people think it's safe to give dogs large bones, like those from a ham or a roast. Bones are unsafe no matter what their size. Giving your dog a bone may make your pet a candidate for a trip to your veterinarian's office later, possible emergency surgery, or even death."

Make sure you throw out bones from your own meals in a way that your dog can't get to them. We suggest taking the trash out right away or putting the bones up high and out of your dog's reach until you have a chance to dispose of them. And pay attention to where your dog's nose is when you walk him around the neighborhood ~ steer him away from any objects lying in the grass.

Here are 10 reasons why it's a bad idea to give your dog a bone:

1. Broken teeth. This may call for expensive veterinary dentistry.
2. Mouth or tongue injuries. These can be very bloody and messy and may require a trip to see your veterinarian.
3. Bone gets looped around your dog's lower jaw. This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you, as it usually means a trip to see your veterinarian.
4. Bone gets stuck in esophagus, the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and will need to see your veterinarian.
5. Bone gets stuck in windpipe. This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately!
6. Bone gets stuck in stomach. It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone’s size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.
7. Bone gets stuck in intestines and causes a blockage. It may be time for surgery.
8. Constipation due to bone fragments. Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they're very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain and may require a visit to your veterinarian.
9. Severe bleeding from the rectum. This is very messy and can be dangerous. It's time for a trip to see your veterinarian.
10. Peritonitis. This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog.

Talk with your veterinarian about alternatives to giving bones to your dog. There are many bone-like products made with materials that are safe for dogs to chew on.

Always supervise your dog with any chew product, especially one your dog hasn’t had before. And always, if your dog 'just isn't acting right,' call your veterinarian right away!

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Five Nutrish® Wet Cat Food Varieties

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

 

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Five Nutrish® Wet Cat Food Varieties For Potentially Elevated Vitamin D Levels

Contact:
Consumer:
877-650-3486
www.nutrishforpets.com/news

Media:
Steve Joyce
814-724-7710 ext. 4448
Steve.joyce@ainsworthpets.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 4, 2015 – Ainsworth Pet Nutrition of Meadville, PA is voluntarily recalling five varieties of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® wet cat food, including Ocean Fish-a-licious, Lip Smackin’ Sardine & Mackerel, Ocean Fish & Chicken Catch-iatore, Tuna Purrfection, and certain lot codes of Paw Lickin’ Chicken & Liver due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. Symptoms of excessive vitamin D consumption usually develop within 12-36 hours after ingestion and may include vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and muscle tremors or seizures. Any cat experiencing these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Two variety packs that contain some of these recalled products (the Chicken Lovers Variety Pack, and the Ocean Lovers Variety Pack) will also be recalled. The recalled products are distributed nationwide. No other Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® products are affected by this recall.

Single Pack	Unit UPC Code	Best By Dates Thru
PAW LICKIN CHICKEN AND LIVER (2.8 oz)	071190007032	AUG 17 2015
OCEAN FISH AND CHICKEN CATCH-IATORIE (2.8 oz)	071190007049	DEC 1 2016
OCEAN FISH A LICIOUS (2.8 oz)	071190007056	DEC 1 2016
TUNA PURRFECTION (2.8 oz)	071190007063	DEC 1 2016
LIP SMACKIN SARDINE AND MACKEREL (2.8 oz)	071190007070	DEC 1 2016

Multi Packs - 12 Count	Unit UPC Code	Best By Dates Thru
CHICKEN LOVERS VARIETY PACK (12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups)	071190007773	DEC 1 2016
OCEAN LOVERS VARIETY PACK (12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups)	071190007780	DEC 1 2016

The UPC code can be found on the bottom of the cup. The Best By code can be found on the side of the cup.

To date, there have been 11 reports of illness associated with these products.

After conducting a number of product tests, Ainsworth confirmed that the affected products have elevated levels of vitamin D. The high levels result from the natural levels of vitamin D that are found in some of the fish ingredients that were used in these specific formulas.

"At Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®, the safety and quality of our products is our top priority," says Jeff Watters, CEO. "For the time being, we recommend disposing of any of the affected wet cat varieties. Rest assured we have implemented additional operating procedures to prevent an issue like this from occurring in the future. We sincerely apologize to our loyal consumers everywhere."

Ainsworth is working to ensure the removal of all affected products from store shelves. Retailers with affected products are asked to contact 888-943-4218 for additional information.

Consumers with questions about the recall are encouraged to contact Ainsworth’s Consumer Care Team at 877-650-3486 or visit www.nutrishforpets.com/news.

Representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET Monday thru Friday and 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.

Vitamin D is important in regulating calcium and phosphorus in a cat’s body. But, when ingested at very high levels, it can lead to serious health issues.

Production of the affected varieties has been suspended and will resume after reformulation.

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