Pet Product News - October 2017

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.

CARRI E BRE N NE R/ PP N LLC ATFU R LY ’S

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.

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