Question:
I was intrigued by your recent advice about using essential oil of lavender to repel fleas. Lately, our terrier has engaged in considerable scratching after his daily run through an open area close to our home.Before applying the oil of lavender, I let him sniff the bottle. His reaction was to quickly jerk his nose away, but I figured he would think differently of it when he obtained the relief it promised. I didn't rub him down with it, but merely applied two drops at the base of his tail, close to the offending area. His immediate reaction to that was completely unexpected.Ernie's tail, which has always been practically frozen in an upward arc over his rear end, did a reverse and ended up between his legs. At the same time, he crouched so low to the floor that he practically had to waddle in order to remove himself from our presence. But leave he did, and it took us about five minutes to locate his hiding spot.Even with the enticement of his favorite treat, we were unable to coax him out, so we decided to
W.K.S., Bakersfield, CA Jul 09, 2006
Answer:
I am publishing your letter in full as a warning to those applying essential oils to their animals' coats for the first time.Most animals will accept a few dabs or wipes but should be allowed to sniff the oils after they have been on your hands for a couple of minutes. Sniffing from the bottle could be too intense an experience, since these oils are highly volatile and, in concentrated form, can be irritating to nose, eyes, tongue and throat.I would advocate rubbing one's own oil-anointed hands over the animal, and never put concentrated drops in the fur. After a few days of repeated exposure, most animals habituate to the novel scent. Lavender is not the best oil for repelling fleas and other insects, though it is excellent for burns. See my Web site at www.doctormwfox.org for other, more effective alternatives, such as eucalyptus lemon.
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