How can we use essential oils for our pets? Cindy Cowan, the Texas Oil Lady shares how useful they can be!
(This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity and brevity. Be sure to watch the whole interview!)
Cindy, what drew you to essential oils?
When we moved to Central Texas, I got exposed to all kinds of pollen and pollution and got allergies. Before this, I never had allergies.
I went to the doctor and bought over-the-counter allergy medications for two years. But I couldn’t get well. I woke up one day with severe cotton mouth. The medications completely dried out my whole head.
Previously, I met an essential oils expert. At her recommendation, I purchased lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils. I put about three drops of each into a little glass of water and gently swished them around in my mouth. Then drank the mixture. By the second day, my cotton mouth was completely gone.
After that, I couldn’t learn enough about essential oils. I learned about the emotional benefits of essential oils. Eventually, I became a doTERRA wellness advocate.
When did you become an “essential oil for pets” person?
When I became a wellness advocate, I learned about Dr. Janet Rourke, a veterinarian on doTERRA’s Education Board for Animal Aromatherapy. Since I grew up with a love of nature and animals, I was drawn to this area.
Animal aromatherapy certification
So I completed both Levels One and Two of Dr. Janet’s Animal Aromatherapy Certification. Why? Because animals make people happy and we want them to be happy and healthy. I wanted to help everybody be as healthy as possible.
Talk to us about essential oil safety
Give us a few precautions so that we keep them safe.
First, try a little bit. To be safe, dilute with fractionated coconut oil. If they react negatively, find out what other oil might work.
As wellness advocates, we cannot say anything cures. It’s trial and error. For the most part, it should work. But a particular animal may not respond like we think they should. For instance, some may not like or won’t relax with lavender. So they might respond better to cedarwood.
My job as an animal aromatherapist is to guide my clients to the right oils and how to use them. We need to know their history. That’s why my intake form asks a lot of questions just like a veterinarian.
Self-selection
[Maribeth] A veterinarian doing acupuncture for my dogs offered them essential oils. She would open the top and just put the bottle on the floor facing them. If they liked it, they’d face it. And if they didn’t, they’d turn away. It was clear.
[Cindy Cowan} That’s called self-selection.
My Labrador clearly self-selects. He only likes a handful of essential oils. He had severe anxiety ’cause he had been abandoned at a park. So I diffused a self-selected calming essential oil for months and put it on his spine. And of course, we provided love and reassurance to help him have a normal life. It helped.
Cats are more sensitive
[Maribeth] I used diffusion with my cats and kept the door open for ventilation. But I freaked out when I Googled the subject and read, “No essential oils for cats.” Still, my cats didn’t have a terrible reaction. Any thoughts?
[Cindy} Google’s not the place to find accurate information. Speak to an animal aromatherapist or someone they studied with or got their certification from.
And use common sense. Would you put yourself in a tiny room, shut the door, close the window, and surround yourself in that oil? It could be too much even for humans. Leave the door open. Even with the diffuser going, use a fan.
Plus, there are probably 10 oils that cats can tolerate diluted. Be cautious and work with someone trained in this area.
Success stories
An unwanted pug gets love and essential oils
My daughter was given a pug from someone who didn’t want her anymore. Turns out she was ignored, left alone all day and was underweight. This pug needed love.
And there was a rash under her armpits. I read Dr. Janet’s page about rashes, which recommended certain essential oils.
Not all oils are meant for animals. And some need to be diluted. You have to know what you’re doing. So I diluted and applied the recommended essential oils to the rash. The rash cleared up, but not 100%.
Gut health
Then I learned about gut health from Dr Janet. Animals can have allergies to egg or corn or any of the fillers, the wheats, the grains, chicken or beef. I bought healthy kibble for her.
Next, I made her food from scratch. Finally, the rash went away. Our little pug filled out and looked healthy!
Dog with kidney issues
A woman spent a lot of money and time at the vet for her dog. Finally the doctor said, “There’s not much more we can do. I’ll give you pain medication so that he’ll just sleep until the end.”
She then reached out to me and shared, “I know it’s his end of life, but I want to enjoy him awake so I can spend time with him. I don’t want him knocked out all day long.”
I recommended lavender and she put that on his spine. Then she put the oil into a spray bottle with some water, and spritzed his bedding.
Happily, she reported, “Oh my gosh, he’s sleeping calmly without the prescription to knock him out. He wakes up and he’s just chill and I’m able to talk to him.” She had more time to be with him. As you can imagine, she was very thankful for that.
Dog with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A friend called, saying “My girl has a UTI. It’s the weekend and I can’t afford the vet.”
I asked, “Got any lemon essential oil?” “Yeah.” So I said, “Put fresh water in a glass, ceramic or a metal bowl, not plastic, with a drop or two of the oil. Have her drink it ’cause citrus is cleansing.” The dog did a little bit better that weekend.
[Maribeth] I’m an animal communicator, but I use lots of other modalities to help my dogs and cats. I believe we should “Do what works!” Be sure to check out Cindy’s information about essential oils!
Want to learn about more alternative options for your pet’s health?
Discover alternative veterinary services for your pet
Cindy Cowan, Texas Oil Lady
Cindy Cowan is an Essential Oil Lifestyler and Certified Animal Aromatherapist. In 2016, she became interested in holistic healthcare solutions after discovering doTERRA Essential Oils. Her love of nature and science led to a new career of educating and sharing plant-based tools (essential oils) to support mindset, mood, and emotions.
She can assess and recommend alternative solutions to help animals with their behavioral, emotional, and health issues with virtual consultations.
She is passionate about helping people and animals live healthier, happier lives using essential oils and other natural solutions as a powerful tool for promoting wellness.
- Website: https://www.texasoillady.com/
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