SOLUTIONS FOR PETS
NHV Natural Pet Products in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, recently launched a supplement called NHV Natures Immuno, a blend of five highly researched medicinal mushrooms
that is intended to help pets suffering from a variety of conditions including cancer, chronic
infections, viral infections, endocrine disorders and more, according to the company. The
manufacturer also recently released NHV Turmeric, intended to support pets’ overall health.
This spring, Earth Heart Inc. in Dundee, Ill., introduced Canine Calm aromatherapy
wipes, which owner Vicki Rae Thorne, a certified aromatherapist and herbalist, called a “new
vehicle for botanical therapy to help calm dogs during storms, fireworks, or other stressful or
unsettling times.”
And this summer, the company launched Buzz Guard aromatherapy wipes to discourage
bites and stings. The wipe format makes the product great for travel, Thorne said.
In September, San Diego-based The Honest Kitchen launched Pep Up, which is pure hemp
powder; Golden Milk, a nourishing blend of coconut milk, honey and spices; Chicken and
Cardamom Spice Bone Broth; and Turkey and Ginger Spice Broth, said Lucy Postins, founder
and chief integrity officer.
Warren London of New City, N. Y., recently introduced Essential Oil Dog Calming Spray,
which contains the essential oils lavender, sweet orange, vetiver and clary sage. The all-natural product is made in the USA, the company reported.
EW PRODUCTS
Whether you already carry essential oils or you’re thinking about it, chances are you recognize it’s a category
that can come with a lot of questions. This is true of
anything that is relatively new to people—and to many,
oils still are new.
Vicki Rae Thorne, certified aromatherapist and
herbalist and owner of Earth Heart Inc. in Dundee, Ill.,
shared some of the most common questions she thinks
retailers get about oils—and what the answers are to
those questions. Here’s what she had to say:
Why are essential oil products so expensive?
Vicki Rae Thorne: Because essential oils are produced
from actual plant material, availability and prices can
fluctuate due to factors such as weather as well as
transportation and labor costs.
Are essential oil products safe for puppies?
Thorne: In proper dilution, many but not all essential
oil products can be used with puppies from 10 weeks
of age.
Are essential oil products safe for humans?
Thorne: Yes, in the proper dilution, essential oil
products are safe for humans, dogs and horses.
The essential oils used in aromatherapy are highly
concentrated and must be diluted before using. From
both conservation and safety perspectives, diluting
pure essential oils is responsible to your wallet and the
planet, and prevents overwhelming your sense of smell,
irritating the skin and mucous membranes, or causing
sensitization.
Can I use essential oils undiluted on my dog?
Thorne: The essential oils used in aromatherapy are
highly concentrated and must be diluted before using.
This prevents overwhelming your dog’s sense of smell,
irritating the skin and mucous membranes,
or causing sensitization.
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ESSENTIAL OILS: ASKED AND ANSWERED
PROPER USE IS CRUCIAL
Vicki Rae Thorne, certified aromatherapist and herbalist and owner of Earth Heart Inc.
in Dundee, Ill., is very passionate about educating people on essential oils. Safety is
critical, she said, because essential oils and other botanicals can be harmful if not used
correctly. Thorne also warned that there is quite a bit of misinformation circulating in
the public about these products. This is where retailers can really make a difference.
“Education remains crucial in helping customers recognize and understand what
makes a product an authentic aromatherapy product that is safe, effective and afford-
able for not just the dogs, but for the entire family,” Thorne said. “Along with increased
interest in the healing power of essential oils, a lot of misleading information has been
written and taught about using essential oils.”
In order to be able to educate the customer, Patra De Silva, president of NHV Nat-
ural Pet Products in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, said it’s important that staff
members are well-educated and properly trained.
“We have pet experts that our retailers can contact when they may need further
advice on the use of supplements,” De Silva said. “Retailers may not have answers for
every supplement question, so it’s good to have the option of calling the manufacturer
directly and getting answers quickly for customers.”
Lucy Postins, founder and chief integrity officer for The Honest Kitchen in San
Diego, recommends educational seminars.
“Partnering with vendors to hold educational seminars in conjunction with local
holistic veterinarians can be very useful,” she said.
ONSUMER EDUCATION
P.L.A. Y. (PET LIFESTYLE AND YOU) presents the Globetrotter Toy Collection. Dogs can discover new sniffs and
countless adventures as they explore the world with the Pupster Passport. After Fido is all stamped out, he can
grab a quick bite on the go with the Pack and Snack Suitcase, chill out with a causal chew on Pucci’s Sandal or
turn up the squeaks on the Howling Hound Headphones featuring dual squeakers. The Lens Licker Camera captures all the fun. The toys are eco-friendly and stuffed with P.L.A. Y.’s certified-safe PlanetFill filling made from 100
percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. They are 100 percent washer and dryer friendly. petplay.com
SJT ENTERPRISES offers dog-breed
stone coasters. The absorbent
coasters are printed and packaged in
the USA. They measure nearly 4 in. by
4 in. in size. Floor display options are
available. thousandsofsigns.com