Due to the fact that animals take many of their remedies orally it is of the utmost importance that the oils are not tampered with or adulterated in anyway. Adulteration of essential oils is common with many large companies. Pure does not mean that that the addition of natural isolates, such as 1,8-cineole or citral have been not been added.

The Animal Aromatic Practitioner must know and understand the chemical make up of the essential oil and plant extracts that they are working with. For example, oxides such as 1,8-cineol found in oils such as Eucalyptus Eucalyptus radiata and Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia can negate the effects of anesthetic, whereas oils containing aldhehydes such as Violet Leaf Viola odorata can enhance the effects.

Possibly due to the method of application, essential oil standards are not as tight here in the UK as they are in countries such as France. In France essential oils are used by the medical profession internally in relatively large amounts on people, so they need to be pure and not unknowingly tampered with. Therefore the majority of the essential oils that we work with are from companies that supply the medical profession in France.

Other secondary metabolites are bought from an organic company in the UK.