Dog Community

What are some good oils to use for massage?

Posted : 4/15/2008 11:23:15 PM

I ran across a massage blend the other day, that I forgot I had. I don't know if it would be safe or even worthwhile to try on dogs, but I thought I might as well ask. It is called "Sandalwood Moisturizing Bath & Body Oil." It's ingredients are Expeller Pressed Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Infusion of Ginseng Root, Marshmallow Root and Shatavari Root, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Anyway, whether or not this stuff would be of any benefit, it did get me to thinking about massage oils, and I am interested in learning what some of my other alternatives might be. I have seen White Flower and Wood Lock mentioned a few times by Janet Rose, but I would rather not have to order anything online. What other, easily found, oils would be a good choice? This would mostly be for arthritic joints, but also maybe just for general use. Smile

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/16/2008 7:38:47 AM

You can sometimes find White Flower Oil -- it's a blend and awesome for arthritis (as is WoodLock).

Any good quality peppermint or wintergreen oil is very good for arthritis. That's a huge blend of oils and I've never researched those so I'd hesitate to recommend. If you want to email me I'll send you the stuff I've written on arthritis stuff (including the oils). Ii can't PM it because it's in Word.

But I'm talking about "oils" -- from a health store, NOT food flavorings.

FourIsCompany

Posted : 4/16/2008 7:55:37 AM

For general use, I use straight vitamin E oil.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 4/16/2008 8:56:31 AM

Hi...I typically don't use massage/essential oils on dogs. I do use an Arnica Montana blend (w/Vit E, grapeseed oil, and a couple of others) with horses, on areas they cannot reach. And, mainly that's because I may only see them every 4 - 6 weeks. So, my advice is to use something that is safe for dogs to ingest, if using on areas they can get to with their tongue. Arnica is not safe for animals to ingest as an essential oil, although it is safe taken internally as a homeopathic tablet.

My personal opinion is that if you're doing enough massage - like daily - the oils are not necessarily needed. They have enough oils in their own coat that help with the execution of massage strokes. For me, it depends on many factors; including the individual dog, present & past health history, and current reason for wanting to use oil.

I also suggest doing an online or book search on Aromatherapy for animals. You will get info on what is safe and what is not, as well as oodles of suggestions.

P.S. I have a treatment balm that I use with my own dogs (from SheaPet) that contains: nilotica shea butter, aloe butter, beeswax, avocado oil, orange oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and Vit E. It is used as spot treatment (for cracked paws, wounds, itchy spots) and according to the company is safe for dogs to ingest.

Just because the company says this is safe for dogs to ingest does not mean that is safe for ALL dogs. Dogs, just like people, can react to something that is supposed to be a non-allergen or safe. So, to be on the safe side, even if the oil you choose "should" be safe, try a little bit and see if there are any reactions to it and increase amounts gradually over a period of massage sessions.

GypsyNBeau

Posted : 4/16/2008 12:13:28 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. :-)

Calliecritters, I will e-mail you. I would be very interested in what you have written.

FourIsCompany, thanks, I probably would not have thought of just using plain Vitamin E, and bonus, I already have some! (Just curious though, does it make the fur all gunky?)

TAOofGoldyShep, thanks for the great info. I will do what you suggested and read more about it online, and probaby order a book or two also. I have been interested in this for awhile, just haven't taken the time to follow through.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 4/18/2008 3:05:48 PM

GypsyNBeau

TAOofGoldyShep, thanks for the great info. I will do what you suggested and read more about it online, and probaby order a book or two also. I have been interested in this for awhile, just haven't taken the time to follow through.

You're welcome! ...it's very COOL that you're interested, and there's lots to learn and plenty of time to do it. Keep us posted on what you use and how effective it is. :-)

GypsyNBeau

Posted : 4/18/2008 7:14:27 PM

I actually found some White Flower Oil today, so I'll try it out soon. :)