This article was originally published in the November 2018 True North Wellness E-zine created by the Canadian Holistic and Wellness Business Network (CHAWBN).
Make sure to check out CHAWBN.ca to read the new blog featuring myself and other like minded members sharing their knowledge about holistic & wellness products, services and treatments available to you.
As the leaves change colour, it’s a signal for our families and pets to prepare for cooler temperatures, snow, slush, all the promises of winter! There are a few things we can do, using our essential oils and winter-proofing our homes and routines to support all the toes and tails in our household, keeping everyone happy and healthy during the winter season.
Focus on Nutrition
As tempting as it is to indulge in another pumpkin spice latte and give our fur-babies another treat as we snuggle on the couch, we need to remember that our bodies don’t need the extra layer of insulating fat cells! Healthy snacks, balanced meals and staying hydrated will help keep everyone’s energy levels up, and their immune systems fueled up! There are lots of recipes that we can safely add our essential oils to make them taste great and support our bodies naturally.
Get out and Play!
Get everyone bundled up and head outside for a quick walk, or a fun, but gentle snowball fight! If your pet is not a winter breed, consider a pet sweater and maybe even boots! Ensure that your pet is comfortable and happy to wear it; no one enjoys clothing that pinches or inhibits their movement. Watch for shivering, cold toes, ears and noses as we don’t want anyone to get too cold. Examine your pet’s feet often for snowballs between the toes, or small cuts from the ice. Check out the Pawdicure Balm recipe for a great DIY to use your essential oils to soothe dry, cracked hands and paws!
Avoid Antifreeze!
Antifreeze is essential as we winterize our vehicles and store our summer equipment, but please remember that it’s very toxic! Ensure the bottles are stored away out of reach of our inquisitive pets and children. Make sure that any spills or leaks are cleaned up promptly and properly. If you suspect antifreeze has been ingested, please take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and treatment!
Skip the Salt!
To keep everyone from slipping and sliding on ice, ensure that sidewalks are shovelled promptly. Select pet friendly ice-melt options instead of your usual sidewalk salt. Besides being irritating to the paws, sidewalk salt is irritating when ingested!
Invincible Immunity
Our essential oils are a great resource to help support everyone’s immune system all year ‘round and especially in the winter months. Many of the immune supporting blends we would choose for ourselves also support our pets. Remember that if you’re using essential oils in your home the purity of the essential oils is a priority! When you are diffusing, ensure that your pet has access to fresh air, or a room where there is no diffuser running. You do not need a lot of drops of a good quality essential oil to get those supportive benefits we want. Start with less, and add another drop if your family seems to enjoy it!
These are just a few areas we can focus on to make the winter season more enjoyable! There are so many ways we can support our family’s wellness naturally with essential oils. I invite you to follow me on Facebook @ToesandTailsWellness for more tips, diffuser ideas, resources, and online, or in-person classes! If you would like to know more about the oils that I use because I am confident in their purity, you can shop here or message me so that we can chat about essential oil support for all the toes and tails in your family!
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My name is Nina Munckhof, and I am Toes and Tails Wellness!
When my twins were born in 2015, I went on maternity leave from my 14 year career as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Educating clients about their pet's health and wellness needs was a highlight of my job, and I was going to miss it! In my new career as a mom, I wanted alternative options to household cleaners, leading me to discover doTERRA! The physical, mental and emotional support that these oils have provided my family is amazing. Educating about the safe use of doTERRA's Certified Pure Tested Grade essential oils is enabling me to combine my veterinary experience and love of animals with this passion for essential oils!
As a veterinary technician, I cannot diagnose health issues or prescribe medications. My goal is to educate about safe use of essential oils on our pets and work with you, and your veterinarian, to provide supportive therapies. Please private message me if needed, and I will be more than happy to assist you!
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