Golden rules
1. Always allow an animal to walk away from any application or remedy
2. Take care around the genital area – avoid essential oil irritants
3. Understand the extracts you are working with. Read up on how the remedy relates to the species that you are working with
4. Equines / other herbivores – hold the bottle firmly so that the hand covers most of the bottle, to prevent it from being snatched from your hand and into their mouth
5. Equines / other herbivores – do not use a nose bag for inhalation purposes
6. Equine / other herbivores – caution bottles on ledges in the stable; the horse may put one in their mouth. They also may easily be forgotten or fall and break
7. Cats and dogs – do not use a vaporiser / diffuser unless your cat or dog can walk away from the aroma into another room
8. Make sure undiluted oil does not touch the nostrils while offering an essential oil bottle. Especially essential oil irritants.
9. Avoid vegetable and infused oils with animals who have, or are prone to pancreatitis. Avoid or reduce with overweight animals and those with fatty lumps. If in doubt consult your vet
10. Avoid applying essential oils directly to stitches – as they could dissolve
11. Dilute in aloe vera gel if applying to the skin – especially with antibacterial and citrus oils
12. Make sure that the oil is not phototoxic before applying it topically in sunlight – other than when photoreactive properties are needed
13. Adding extracts to food will interfere with their self-medicative process. In most cases allow an animal to select extracts individually
14. Purines – (which can be found in spirulina) may be detrimental to Dalmatians
15. Keep all remedies out of reach of children