Most people love their essential oil diffusers. The smells that can fill our homes are to die for – especially if your home is full of the smell of dogs. But is it safe to use essential oil diffusers when you have pets?
This is a question that a lot of people want to know the answer to. There would be nothing worse than happily using your essential oils, only to realize that it could be harming your furry friend.
If you want to find out more, and discover whether you can keep enjoying these essential oils around your dog or not, keep reading! Here, we are going to dive into what essential oils are, and if they are safe for your dog.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are made up of different chemical compounds called “terpenes”. Terpene molecules are very small, like water. They are so small, in fact, that they can pass through the skin easily.
When used on our bodies, these terpenes give us essential scents that we associate with things like freshness, relaxation or even happiness. These same chemicals can also make our dogs feel better, too.
Essential oils are used for many purposes: from cooking to cleaning, as well as to help reduce stress. They can also be used in aromatherapy, where we put them on our bodies and inhale the fumes. We then use this scent to relax or calm down.
Some of these essential oils might even be good for treating certain medical conditions. However, before you start using an essential oil diffuser around your dog – there are some things you need to consider first.
Popular Essential Oils
Some of the most popular essential oils include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon, orange, grapefruit, clove, tea tree, cinnamon bark, basil, bergamot, jasmine, cedar wood, patchouli and ylang ylang.
While all of these oils are great for you to enjoy, you may notice that one is particularly strong smelling, and that’s just fine!
You may even prefer some over others, but the point is that you shouldn’t worry about which ones you choose. Just pick the one you think will work best for you!
Are They Safe For Pets To Ingest?
Are essential oils safe for pets to ingest? That depends on what type of oil you’re talking about. If it’s a pure essential oil (without any additives), then some might be!
Pure essential oils do not contain anything inherently harmful. These oils will simply dissolve right into the bloodstream.
However, if you’re using an essential oil blend, then you’ll need to check the labels carefully. Many blends contain other ingredients that aren’t necessarily safe for pets to consume.
If you’re concerned about the safety of a particular blend, then it’s probably best to stick to a single-essential oil option instead.
There are some essential oils that are toxic to pets, however. These essential oils should not be used when there are pets around, and preferably not even in the same house. Essential oils that are toxic to pets include:
Peppermint Oil
Citrus Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Ylang Ylang
Pine Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Wintergreen Oil
No matter what form these oils come in, they should not come in contact with your pets. This includes on your pet’s fur, skin, ingestion, and inhalation.
If you have pets, you should not be using any of the above essential oils unless you can guarantee that you have ample airflow so that the oils are not too concentrated.
You should also always dilute the oils before using them, and always clean up any spills, even if they are only drops. Many essential oils are especially dangerous to cats and birds.
Is It Safe For Pets To Be In The Same Room As An Essential Oil Diffuser When It Is On?
Some essential oils are fine for animals to be around, though you need to remember that your pet’s sense of smell is much better than our own.
Dogs can have a sense of smell up to 10,000 times better than ours! Because of this, they will probably be overcome by the smells of the essential oils very easily, and will not like it.
Are Any Essential Oils Hazardous To Pets’ Health?
Essential oils that are dangerous for dogs include:
Wintergreen Oil
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) Oil
Clove Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Anise Oil
Peppermint Oil
Thyme Oil
Pennyroyal Oil
Pine Oil
Ylang Ylang Oil
Sweet Birch Oil
Juniper Oil
Essential oils that are dangerous for cats include:
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) Oil
Bergamot Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Peppermint Oil
Oregano Oil
Ylang Ylang Oil
Wintergreen Oil
Pennyroyal Oil
Thyme Oil
Clove Oil
Sweet birch Oil
Are There Any Essential Oils That Are Safe For Pets?
A few essential oils that are considered safe for dogs include:
Rosemary Oil
Chamomile Oil
Ginger Oil
Frankincense Oil
Lavender Oil
Myrrh Oil
If you are using essential oils around cats, you should follow the same kinds of rules. For cats, it is considered safe to use:
Chamomile Oil
Lavender Oil
Frankincense Oil
These are only general guidelines. It is possible that your pet might have an allergy to any kind of essential oil. Because of this, you should be wary of which ones you use, and always keep areas well ventilated. If you notice any signs of distress in your pet, stop using it immediately.
If you are planning on using an essential oil diffuser around your pets, you need to make sure that you have adequate ventilation. Your pets could get overwhelmed by the smell of burning herbs such as cinnamon or eucalyptus.
To avoid this, make sure that you have plenty of air flow going through the room where your diffuser is located.
You need to make sure that the room where the diffuser is located doesn’t become over saturated with fragrance. As mentioned earlier, many essential oils have a very powerful smelling.
If you don’t have enough air flowing into the room, your pets could end up being overwhelmed by the scent of the diffuser.
Make sure that you always clean up any spills from the diffuser after usage. Even if the spill is just a drop or two of essential oil, it still needs to be cleaned up. This way, your pets won’t ingest anything poisonous.
You should also only use essential oils that are 100% natural, especially when you have pets. As humans, we are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of our pets.
While it might be okay for us to use essential oils that are not fully natural for ourselves, our pets do not have that kind of choice. Because of this, we always need to do what is best for them.
What To Do If Your Pet Doesn’t Respond Well To An Essential Oil?
If your pet seems to be unhappy with you using a specific essential oil, you should stop using it. Again, we are in charge of our pet’s health, and we need to make them as happy as possible. It could be that your pet is allergic to essential oils. If so, then you need to find another method of relaxation.
The best thing you can do is to continue using essential oils that are safe for your pet. Try not to let essential oils overpower your pet. Use it in well ventilated areas, dilute the oils, and make sure your pet can get away from it if they want to.
Try not to let the essential oil diffuse into your entire house, or else your pet will have nowhere to escape to.
If you notice that your pet is acting differently after you have diffused essential oils, you should avoid using those oils. If unusual behaviors persist, you might need to call up your vet and make an appointment. It is worth asking the vet questions about the potential issues.
If your pet experiences more serious side effects, such as lethargy, unsteadiness, vomiting, diarrhea, or depression-like symptoms, you should make an appointment. You should do this as soon as possible to ensure the health and safety of your furry friend.
You can use some essential oils if you have pets such as cats and dogs. When it comes to birds, you need to be much more careful. Birds are more sensitive to essential oils and other potential toxins in the air. If you have cats or dogs, you should only stick to the safe ones mentioned above.
Ensure that the essential oils you use are 100% natural and free from synthetics. The reason you need to be extra cautious with these oils is because they may cause harm to your pets.
You should wait a period of time before using more essential oils. All active diffusers should be placed in areas where pets cannot reach them, or pets could get too close to it.
It’s important to remember that essential oils are not air fresheners, and any essential oil product should be kept away and out of reach of both pets and children. If your pets get hold of the oils, they could suffer from essential oil poisoning.
Final Thoughts
Essential oils are a nice way to relax, and they smell great, but they can be hazardous to pets. The next time you decide to use your essential oil diffuser, double check which scents you are using. Be sure to dilute them before use, and keep the area well ventilated.
Also, don’t forget to read labels on all of your products, and try to stay away from synthetic ingredients. These oils are meant for human use, so don’t force your animal to deal with the strong scents!
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
