Life Fit Chat with Laura Lewis: Aromatic pet care

Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!

As alternative healing modalities are becoming more and more popular, humans are taking a stronger interest in natural approaches to pet care. With animals varying in size and weight, please be sure to check with your veterinarian before implementing any of the following essential oil "therapies" with your furry family members.

Repel fleas on both cats and dogs by tucking sachets of Lavender, Pennyroyal and Rose Geranium essential oils into your pets bed or basket. Avoid using on animals who are very young, elderly or pregnant. You can also create a handmade, indoor flea collar by sewing a long cloth (long enough to wrap around your pet's neck) and filling the cloth with Pennyroyal leaves and/or Lavender flowers with two drops of Rose Geranium. Make an outdoor flea collar by mixing one teaspoon of cider vinegar with three drops of Lavender and one drop of Rose Geranium or Cedarwood essential oils. Place this mixture in a zip lock bag with the cloth flea collar and allow the mixture to infuse the collar for at least twenty-four hours.

Create a Pet Dip for your pet to rid her of any fleas that may currently be living on the animal. Fill a bowl with warm water and add the following essential oils (four drops for large dogs and two drops for small dogs): Lavender, Cedarwood or Pine. Dip a comb into the water mixture and comb through your pet's hair going with and against the direction of the coat. Repeat with water from a fresh bowl of warm water. Be careful to avoid applying the oil directly to your pet's coat so as to avoid ingesting the oils when your pet grooms herself. Depending upon the size of your dog, add one to two garlic capsules to your pet's food. This will make their blood unappetizing to fleas.

If you have recently moved or plan to move, treat your cat to a little catnip. Prior to moving keep your cats confined to a small space for a day or two before the move and then for four or five days after moving. Shower her with lots of love and attention and add a sachet of catnip to her bedding.

Keep your furniture safe from scratches by rubbing Catmint leaves or Valerian root on a scratching post. Your kitties will love it, and will lose interest in the furniture!

Source: Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrant Herbal