Module 10- Natural Alternatives for Pets

Module 10

Natural Alternatives for Pets 

Estimated Time: 30 minutes


This module will explore the following topics:

  • Essential Oils for Pets
  • Mushrooms for Pets


10.0 Introduction


As humans, we understand there are many benefits of natural alternatives.


In our excitement, we naturally want to share these benefits with our whole family, including our dogs, cats, horses, or other pets. However, some natural alternatives can be harmful to your pet. It is very important that you know which natural alternatives to avoid and which ones you can use in moderation.


10.1 Essential Oils for Pets


There is a debate on which essential oils are harmful or not harmful to your pets.


While natural products are meant to be safe for use, you have to understand that what is good for one animal is not necessarily safe for another. As humans, we have created numerous products for our use, but the products may not be good for our pets.

Here is a list of the top essential oils you should NOT use on your pet:

  • Anise
  • Garlic
  • Horseradish
  • Juniper
  • Thyme
  • Wintergreen
  • Yarrow
  • Birch
  • Bitter Almond
  • Camphor
  • Cassia
  • Hyssop
  • Mugwort
  • Mustard
  • Rue
  • Santolina
  • Savory
  • Tansy
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Wormwood


The compounds present in essential oils are powerful. Very small amounts of these substances can have powerful biological effects on every system of the body.

Source: dogsnaturallymagazine.com


Aromatherapy for Pets


There are several vets who recommend essential oils for pets. How these oils are used determines the recommendation given.


For example, research shows that chemical air fresheners can cause harm to your pet. When their blood work comes back significantly off, your pet may be feeling strange. However, when high quality essential oils were used in diffusers around the home instead of chemical air fresheners, the blood work many times returns back to normal for these pets.


Aromatherapy is the use of scents to alleviate mood disorders or heightened emotions.


Humans tend to use aromatherapy to relax and unwind from stressful days, to sleep better, or to clear the mind. Pets can receive the same benefits. You can place certain oils in a diffuser and allow them to help remove foul odors, or at least relax you and your pet. Some of these oils can be used to help your animal realize one room is a safe place for them.


Lavender is the best essential oil that can be diffused for calming you and your pets. It is a plant that is not toxic to your animal if they smell it.


It is important to use a high grade essential oil with lavender scent. Place it in a diffuser and position it in a room where you want your dog, cat, or other pet to remain calm. Just having the scent in the air will help.


It is important to keep essential oils out of reach of your pet. A high shelf that your pet cannot reach, even if they jump, is best. If you can, place the diffuser high on a wall shelf that your cat knows it cannot leap to sit on, this will prevent the oil from being spilled or potentially being licked by your pet. Since most diffusers also have wood that soaks up the oil and helps it escape the air, it is important to keep it out of reach. You don’t want your pet to play with the diffuser at all.


There are also oils you can diffuse in rooms to keep your pet away from that area. For example, cats tend to avoid strong odors like oranges or eucalyptus. Diffusing eucalyptus or orange oil is a great way to keep your cats out of areas you prefer they would avoid.


You can experiment a little with other oils in the air. At most, your pet will ignore the scent you are filling the air with. If there is a reaction you will see it in a change of behavior. Your pet may start to act strangely, and if this happens, remove the scent from your home.


If you want to use the scent, you should block your pet from getting into the room when you have it out. For example, if you take a bath with essential oils you should close your pet out of the room until the scent dissipates to avoid harming your pet.


Use of Essential Oils


Using essential oils on the fur and skin should be done with care.


It is important to confirm that the oil you are using for your pet is safe for them. You may want to apply the oil to a small area first to check for any side effects before applying to a larger area. Certain pet breeds and species can be more tolerant of natural fragrances than others. It is also a good idea to begin with certain essential oils that you already know are safe. Remember, the higher the quality of oil, the better it is to give to your pet.


The following are essential oils, in small doses, that you can give to your pets.

  • Hemp-Derived CBD: Can be calming for your pet and may bring relief to several conditions like anxiety, stress, ulcers, chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, and seizures. When added to aloe vera it can also help wounds to heal more quickly and can alleviate some of the itching and agitation of insect bites.
  • Lavender: Helps with pet odor, can help with anxiety, good topical treatment for allergies and burns, and can help with wounds and itching.
  • Cardamom: Digestive aid, helps ease heartburn, stimulates appetite, and can be helpful for coughs.
  • Helichrysum: Can decrease bleeding, rejuvenates skin, supports nervous system, and boosts heart health.
  • Frankincense: Shows promise as a potential cancer fighter, combats germs, boosts immunity, and hold anti-depressive effects.
  • Spearmint: Helps with nausea and diarrhea, and can balance metabolism.
  • Peppermint: Helps get rid of fleas, cools sore muscles, energizes tired animals, soothes upset stomachs.
  • Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory to help with skin irritation, burns,  wounds, ulcers, or eczema, and can calm stress.
  • Cedarwood: Pest repellent, aids lungs and circulation, supports hair health, diuretic, and calming agent.


You can use many of these essential oils both topically and internally. You will usually need to dilute the essential oil to avoid harming your pet.


How to Apply Essential Oils


One thing you need to do is make sure to dilute the essential oils heavily if it is not already diluted or formulated specifically for animals.  A general rule is for every 1 drop of essential oil, dilute with the diluting agent for 5-7 drops. If you don’t dilute well enough, it can be to harsh for your pet. Especially if your pet is smaller, dilute it a bit more, to play it safe.


If you decide to go the topical route, you can apply directly  to your pets paws. Or if you are applying it to hoofed animals, the spine or flanks is the best place to apply the oil. Just rub the diluted oil in your hands and then stroke the animal's fur or paws.


You can also diffuse oil for pets that are indoors or place the diluted oils in your hand and allow your pet to sniff it. Another great way to diffuse is to wear pet friendly oils around your pet. That way they can smell it on you. If your pet has a favorite toy or blanket, you could even apply it there, and when they are by that item they will smell it. Another great  use is on your pet’s collar.


Pets can also ingest certain oils, just be sure to follow the instructions for the amount of drops per weight of the animal. Verify that the oil is safe for your specific animal before dropping oils into your pet's mouth or mixing them into your pet's food. If you are uncertain, you can reach out to a veterinarian to be safe.


10.2 Mushrooms for Pets


When it comes to natural healing for your pet, you can’t go wrong with medicinal mushrooms. Here’s how these phenomenal fungi can help your pet. 


Mushrooms As Medicine


Not all mushrooms are medicinal, but most edible ones have medicinal properties. In many places around the world, mushrooms are used as food and medicine.


Mushrooms are really versatile natural plants. And they serve four major functions:

  • Prevention (disease)
  • Regeneration (cells)
  • Protection (cancer, radiation)
  • Intervention (treatment)


Mushrooms’ healing abilities come from their nutritional value. They contain:

  • Minerals: potassium, selenium, sulfur, sodium, geranium, zinc, phosphorus
  • Sugars: mannitol, xylose, glucose, galactose, mannose
  • Vitamins: B complex, folic acid, pro-vitamin D
  • Protein: essential amino acids
  • Enzymes: antibacterial, proteolytic
  • Lipids: phospholipids, sterols, sterol esters, free fatty acids, mono-, di- and triglycerides
  • Polysaccharides: glycogen, beta-D-glucans, chitin
  • Essential oils: triterpenes


And just as they’re great for us, they’re great for our pets as well.


Mushrooms to Use


These are the power mushrooms and the best mushrooms for pets: Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Coriolus Versicolor, Lion's Mane,  and Cordyceps.


Research shows they can improve immune system function and have a wide range of other important health benefits for your pet. They're also social – they work really well together. You can combine them to get the different healing properties of each one. 


Reishi mushrooms are known as the mushrooms of immortality. They have anti-tumor effects, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and immune-stimulating properties. This makes them great for boosting overall health:

  • Help improve heart health
  • Improve immune system function
  • Improve liver function
  • Inhibit antihistamine release
  • Improve endurance
  • Help relieve pain 


Reishi mushrooms are typically used to treat:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Arthritis
  • Allergies
  • Viral upper respiratory tract infections
  • Compromised immune systems


Shiitake mushrooms have 30 different enzymes and 10 amino acids. They also have minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron and selenium. And that makes them really impressive when it comes to your pet's health (and your own for that matter). They stimulate white blood cells and improve circulation. They can also inhibit tumor growth and lower cholesterol. Use shiitake mushrooms to:

  • Reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
  • Treat Cushing’s disease
  • Help soothe bronchial inflammation
  • Regulate urinary incontinence
  • Reduce allergy symptoms


Maitake means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. These mushrooms are known to stimulate t-cells, inhibit tumor growth and lower cholesterol. Maitake mushrooms are good for:

  • Preventing cancer 
  • Supporting the body during chemotherapy and other cancer treatment
  • Helping manage diabetes 
  • Supporting pets with pancreatic problems
  • Supporting pets with liver problems


Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms are full of beta-glucan polysaccharides. These are the essential sugars in the body that aid in activating the immune system. This can help protect the body from infection and fight off disease. The benefits of Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms for pets include:

  • Modulate and support the immune system to optimal levels
  • Help heal pulmonary disorders
  • Treat the inflammation of the urinary and digestive tracts
  • Decrease the effects of chemotherapy and radiation


Lion's Mane has a very long history of use for its neuroprotective properties and ability to support memory, clarity, focus, nerve health, and mood. Some of the benefits of Lion's Mane include:

  • Neuroprotective properties
  • Immune system support
  • Benefit symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Protect against digestive tract ulcers
  • Reduce heart disease risk
  • Can be helpful with diabetes
  • Provide potent antioxidant support


Wild cordyceps mushrooms actually grow on caterpillars. This makes them really expensive to harvest. Luckily, they’re also cultivated by growers. Although cultivated mushrooms may not be quite as potent as wild ones, they’re way more wallet friendly. Cordyceps have antifungal and antibacterial properties. They also have three protein-bound polysaccharides and several amino acids. Cordyceps are good for treating:

  • Leaky gut syndrome
  • Chronic liver disorders
  • Hyper-lipedema
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Kidney failure
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Lung carcinoma
  • Asthma
  • Geriatric disorders


How To Feed Medicinal Mushrooms To Your Pet


To give your pet mushrooms, you can make a tea or broth using dried mushrooms or add powder to their food. If you do want to give your pet whole mushrooms, it’s best to cook them thoroughly. Raw mushrooms can be really hard for your pet to digest and they may be toxic. They’re safer when cooked.
 
If you buy mushrooms in powdered or capsule form, follow the directions on the package. If the product is for humans, assume the dosage instructions are for a 150 lb person. Adjust the amount according to your dog’s weight. Start with a lower dose and work up gradually to avoid any digestive upset.


Medicinal mushrooms can make people nervous, but a lot of this fear comes from the potential for wild mushrooms to be toxic. But there’s no need to fear these fantastic fungi. Buy organic from a reputable source and see how great they are for your pet's health.


Module 10 Summary


Essential oils are beginning to gain popularity for use on pets.


Your beloved pet should be given essential oils only when there is a reason to do so, such as to help with a known medical problem or to calm your anxious pet.


You should never start administering essential oils until you confirm they are safe. All animals, even the same breed of animals, can react differently to essential oils.


You do not want to cause undue health problems in your pet simply because you are trying to alleviate anxiety, arthritis, or intestinal health issues they may already have.


While not all mushrooms are safe for pets, certain medicinal mushrooms provide many health benefits for your pets.

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