Do you remember that old cartoon of the dog who would sniff his way to a treat, find it, eat it, hug himself repeatedly while exclaiming “Mmm! Mmm!” then jump up into the air and float slowly back downward while sighing “Aaaaah?” Well, your doggie can feel just as ecstacy-filled with some essential oil aromatherapy designed especially for dogs!

Before using aromatherapy for your dog, you should consult your veterinarian just to be safe. Here are some aromatherapy essential oils that can help soothe your dog:

* Is Fido prone to fear and anxiety? Does he cower during thunderstorms or become stressed out when you’re gone all day? Try aromatherapy essential oils of neroli, sweet basil, bergamot, petitgrain and ylang ylang. A blend of these aromatherapy oils will calm your dog’s fear and anxiety.

* Is your dog hyperactive? Do you have a Jack Russell terrier who’s been bouncing up and down in place for the past 30 minutes? Try this calming blend of aromatherapy essential oils for your doggie: valerian, vetiver, petitgrain, sweet marjoram and sweet orange. This blend works wonders for calming, centering and grounding. Transform your dog’s hyperactivity into calm--maybe even into naptime!

* Is your dog’s libido waaay out of line? Does your dog hump every object imaginable within a five-mile radius, including your guests’ legs? Put an end to your embarrassment and your dog’s obsession with a powerfully calming aromatherapy essential oil combination of lavender, lemongrass and sweet marjoram. This blend is a powerful anaphrodisiac (the opposite of an aphrodisiac) that has been used by monks to quiet their libido so they can focus their minds on more transcendent matters.

To use an aromatherapy essential oil on your dog, apply one to six drops around the neck, generally speaking. You should follow the specific instructions on any aromatherapy blend that you purchase. This allows for easy inhalation; your dog’s relatively large nasal cavities allow plenty of surface area for vascular absorption of essential oil molecules, which are carried to the bloodstream to benefit the central nervous system.

When applying essential oils on your dog, be sure to keep them out of her eyes, ears, nose, mouth and any body opening. If your dog ingests an aromatherapy essential oil, follow the directions on the label or call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435; be ready to pay $50 with a credit card.

And take special note: not all essential oils are suitable for dogs! Some essential oils are poisonous to dogs, as well as humans. You should completely avoid these essential oils, which possess high oral and dermal toxicity: bitter almond, buchu, camphor, sassafras, calamus, horseradish, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, savin, savory, southernwood, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed and wormwood.

And these essential oils will irritate the skin: ajowan, allspice, basil, bay, birch, bitter almond, bitter fennel, black pepper, cassia, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, citronella, clove leaf, steam or bud, costus, cumin, elecampane, fennel, fir needle, ginger, lemon, lemon grass, lemon verbena, melissa, myrrh, oak moss, orange peppermint, oregano, origanum, parsley seed, peppermint, pimento berry, pine, tagetes, tea tree, red and white thyme and wintergreen.

When you purchase aromatherapy essential oils for your dog, be sure to select certified organic or 100 percent pure products with no synthetic ingredients. Synthetic ingredients can cause allergic reactions and seriously irritate Spot’s ultra-sensitive nose. And if your dog exhibits aversive behavior regarding a specific aromatherapy essential oil, such as backing away or running from the room, by all means, do not use it.

With the right aromatherapy essential oils, you can help keep your dog healthy and happy!

You can find more dog care products and dog care articles at www.savvy-dog-lovers.com.

Here's yet another interesting article about good dog health care using veterinary orthopedic manipulation. VOM is not veterinarian care but can have dramatic benefits for your dogs quality of life. Check it out!