Essential oils can be a huge benefit to our animals – including birds! Whether you need acute support for a specific need, daily maintenance for overall health, or want to prevent the bumps in the road, there are so many ways oils can help!
OILS & BIRDS AT A GLANCE
Start by placing a drop of oil on your hands and allowing your pet to be around the oil.
Remember animals have heightened smell, so a little goes a long way.
Dilute for small animals
Water based spray or adding a toothpick swirl of oil to water can be useful (keep fresh water available as well)
Birds are a unique situation when it comes to oils as they are covered in feathers. Coating a bird's feathers in essential oil can be harmful to the bird and potentially cause the bird to molt. Because of the feathers, birds generally have thinner skin than other animals and will be more sensitive to oils.
The best way to safely introduce and apply oils to birds is by misting, spraying, or diffusing oils around them. YOu can still apply oils topically, but diffusing or spraying is a wonderful way to determine your bird's tolerance and acceptance of oils before applying them.
FEATHER SPRAY RECIPE
This spray is beneficial for bacterial, viral, and functional conditions as well as cancer prevention and immune support.
20 drops each Lavender, Lemon, Orange
Distilled water
4 oz glass spray bottle
Shake well and mist the bird directly twice a day.
DIFFUSING FOR BIRDS
Water-based diffusers are ideal for birds. In general, start with 3 drops of oil added to the water of the diffuser. Monitor the bird(s) closely for the first 5-10 minutes of diffusing and gradually increase the length of time and frequency. Often, you can diffuse on a continual basis, bringing wonderful health benefits to your pet.
ANIMAL SCENTS THE THREE-STEP SYSTEM FOR SKINCARE:
Animal Scents PuriClean Oil Blend: This is the first step in Young Living's three-part system to support pet recovery from minor scrapes and scratches. This prediluted blend refreshes and cleanses your pet's skin and prepares it for healing by moisturizing as well. PuriClean combines the skin-improvement properties of Patchouli, Mountain Savory, and other essential oils so that you can help your pet feel its best.
Animal Scents Infect-Away Oil Blend: This is step two of Young Living's three-part system to support your pet's skin healing. This prediluted blend includes Ocotea, Patchouli, Myrrh and other cleansing oils that help guard against harmful contaminants while supporting your pet's irritated coat or skin. Carefully apply according to the size and species of the animal. Additional dilution is recommended for smaller species. You can also put 8−10 drops in a 1-ounce spray bottle with distilled water for a quick skin-cleansing spritz. Best when used as part of a three-part system: PuriClean, followed by Infect Away, then Mendwell oil blend.
Animal Scents MendWell Oil Blend: This is step three of helping your pet heal and recover from minor scrapes and scratches. This prediluted blend supports your pet's natural healing process by soothing and moisturizing dry, sensitive, and distressed skin. Plus the aroma of Lavender, Frankincense, Geranium, and more creates an uplifting environment and promotes feelings of health and wellness for your pet.
QUICK TIPS FOR APPLYING OILS
Try the ‘Petting Method'. Simply apply an oil to your hands, rub it in completely, and gently “pet” your animal.
Always start with 1 drop of diluted essential oil, and apply more often versus using more drops.
In general, avoid the eye area, unless this area is one of need. According to Dr. Melissa Shelton, DVM, in this case you can use a very diluted ‘eye spritzer' (ex: up to 4 drops of Lavender in 120mL water) to mist around the eyes.
POULTRY CARE
In today's society, many people have a backyard flock, and these amazing creatures can benefit so much from natural practices with essential oils and oil-infused products!
Use Animal Scents Ointment for cuts and scrapes as needed
Add 1 drop of Oregano and a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large (5 gallon) water trough
Because of their anatomy, chickens breathe in higher concentrations of oxygen and whatever else is in the air, so diluting oils for them is key! One great way to keep your coop clean and let your chickens get the benefits of oils is to use this
Natural Coop Cleaner Recipe:
16 oz glass spray bottle
1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
25 drops Lemon essential oil
Fill halfway with white vinegar, then fill with water.
BIRDS & SUPPLEMENTS
Our animals need the nutritional support of good quality supplements, just like we do! And the same way that we start supplementing to maintain good health before a need arises, we want to do this for our animal friends.
Enter NingXia Red, Mineral Essence, and SulfurZyme. These three really wonderful supplements form a baseline for your pets to help keep them healthy and active.
Simply dilute the supplements for your small animals like birds.
Adding a round of Life 9 after antibiotics, oral use of antimicrobial oils, severe diarrhea, or an infection is a wonderful way to support a healthy microbiome for your pets!
MultiGreens is a wonderful supplement to include for immune support, viral infections, and neurologic support (especially in the presence of conditions such as feline leukemia).
NingXia Red is amazing for SO many things! Add it to water to dilute it for birds.
For birds & exotic animals: ¼ to ½ capsule of Allerzyme daily; approximately ⅛ of each Essentialzymes-4 capsule; split the dose between several meals