Essential oils and oil diffusers have been causing a stir online with recent reports concerning pets’ safety around these popular household products. Pet-Safe Essential Oils. Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets? Although it’s clear they are dangerous for birds. For animals, however, the highly reactive nature of compounds found in essential oils can have detrimental effects on their much smaller bodies. Compounds in essential oils are often times highly reactive with living beings; this is why essential oils work so well as therapeutic agents for various conditions that occur in the human race. Essential Oils Safe for Dogs. Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use and how much you should dilute for topical application. Avoid using harmful oils around your pets and never use diffusers around birds. ), remove your dog from the room immediately and get her out for some fresh air. However, avoid using Peppermint oil … This is … If you are using essential oils specifically for your pets and are applying them onto their skin you should use a carrier oil (liquid coconut oil or olive oil work well) to dilute and slow down the absorption of the oil. This way, you can find out easily if an oil is agreeable to your dog or not. A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. Grab your furry BFF and get comfy—we’re about to share the ultimate guide on essential oils for dogs. If you have a pet bird, you should avoid using an essential oil diffuser in your home. Diffusing essential oils allows us to inhale them for their therapeutic effects. 3. tea tree oil) to kill off the airborne germs. And some research suggests that essential oils containing terpenes have positive effects on respiratory tract infections, arthritis, lymphatic systems and skin parasites. As with anything new that you introduce to your pet, begin slowly. Protect ourselves and our dogs from bacterial and viral infections, Clear nasal congestion and soothe upper respiratory issues, Repel insects such as flies and mosquitoes, Diffuse only gentle essential oils around dogs. Essential oils are known to do wonders for both humans and pets alike. 445 drops) of Carrier Oil. For example, we can diffuse oils to: While diffusing oils can benefit not only ourselves but also our dogs, we need to take extra care when using a diffuser around our dogs. Cats specifically are also known to be harmed by: Store Your Essential Oils in a Safe Place. Oils used improperly can also lead to changes in behavior, adverse central nervous system effects, and respiratory problems — all of which can be serious. As always, only use 100% pure essential oils. If you’re using essential oils on medium-sized animals—like large dogs—dilute 3:1 carrier oil to essential oil. Diffusing essential oils around pets is a controversial topic. These oils can clear the sinuses and have an expectorant effect. Long story short, Oil of Wintergreen contains methyl salicylates, more commonly know as aspirin. As for cats, the essential oils that aren’t safe to use are eucalyptus, clove, lavender, spruce, cassia, lemon, birch, and more. It's not good for both people and dogs. For those who plan to use essential oils safely around their dogs or are looking for products containing safe oils, the following is a list of oils that are generally considered safe to use around dogs. For this reason, we must be attuned to which essential oils we are using throughout our homes. The consensus from experts is to use caution when diffusing EOs around pets, and pet-proof the space, or make it inaccessible. DILUTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FOR PETS Before topical application to a pet’s skin, Essential Oils should always be diluted. I’m not aware of many pet-safe blends that I would trust, but my favorite essential oil line does have a blend specifically for dogs. Essential oils can be so useful in our households. Avoid using the aforementioned essential oils around your pets at all costs. Always give your dog a way out. Photo: Anneke_B. Consult with your veterinarian before using any essential oils in areas of your home where pets frequent and avoid the use of the above-mentioned oils altogether around your pets. Our bodies tend to be much larger, and our organ systems are more complicated and able to handle different loads of various compounds such as those that are found in essential oils. Sometimes as parents we have to do what we know is best even if they don’t agree. However, when using them as a pet aid, only run the diffuser for ten minutes. What essential oils are good for dogs’ itchy skin? If there are rooms where your pets do not go, it is okay to diffuse essential oils in those rooms. We've got a quick "how to" on the use of pet safe essential oils you can use to make your house smell fresh and clean! Carrot Seed (Daucus carota)–Should avoid with pregnant dogs; Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica or Juniperus virginiana) Consider storing them in a container up high on a shelf or in a cabinet, or in a closet or room where your pet is unlikely to go. Do not use essential oils around puppies less than 10 weeks old. For cats, small dogs, and other smaller animals, use a carrier oil—such as V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex—to dilute the essential oil before application. Do not diffuse "hot", spicy and strong oils (e.g. While diffusers and essential oils are relatively safe for your pets, care should be taken to avoid oils that can cause your pet to become ill or worse. Then turn off the diffuser and let your dog into the room to sleep. A safe ratio is 1 drop of Essential Oil for 1.5 tablespoon (approx. So, while we might think adding a drop or two of lavender oil to their sleeping pillow will help them to relax, it may do just the opposite and stress them out even more. One of the more popular methods of using essential oils is via the ubiquitous diffuser. I’ve read too many horror stories to not cover this topic thoroughly! The best way is to diffuse oils for a period of around 30 minutes, and turn it off for at least 30 minutes. The essential oils not safe for dogs are garlic, clover, oregano, rosemary, thyme, tea tree, and wintergreen oil. While some of these oils may not be "dog-friendly", they all have powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties, and have been found to be effective against the flu virus. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center wants you to know all the facts about these products, and what you can do to keep your pets safe! How do I apply essential oils to my dog? Avoid diffusing essential oils around epileptic dogs. If your dog shows signs of discomfort or stress (e.g. But did you know some essential oils are not safe to diffuse around pets or even babies? This is not a comprehensive list of all essential oils that may be toxic to pets, but it does cover some of the most popular diffuser oils. It’s great for sensitive skin, odorless, and will help reduce the smell and strength of the oil being diffused so it’s safer for pets. These three oils all contain a component (1,8 cineole) that may actually cause breathing problems in young kids (and perhaps some dogs), if used in high dilution and near the face. What essential oils can I use with my dog? For cats and dogs, there are a bevy of essential oils that should not be used around them due to the harmful effects they have. Assuming that your dog is OK with these oils (check with your dog first :), you can use them to make some awesome blends for diffusion. Also, all dogs are individual beings and sometimes even a "dog-friendly" essential oil may cause problems to those who are sensitive to that particular oil. Wintergreen – The essential oil of wintergreen is not useful with aromatherapy for dogs. Your Dog’s Size and Breed Affects the Amount of Oil You Can Diffuse Whether we are using them in homemade cleaning products, applying them to our own skin, or diffusing them throughout our homes, they can bring many benefits to ourselves. Some highly opinionated, unsubstantiated internet posts about the dangers of essential oils to our pets are scaring pet parents. If you diffuse oils in your home, it should not cause a problem for your cat, as oil used in a diffuser is highly diluted (versus direct topical application or dietary supplementation). I use this or stick to other pet-safe oils around the house when diffusing, just to be on the safe side! Learn what essential oils are safe for dogs in this safety guide. Our third essential oil of concern is Oil of Wintergreen. These general guidelines may help you in the selection of which oils you use and diffuse around your home to help keep you and your pets healthy and happy. Check with a holistic veterinarian if you plan to use essential oils on a dog that’s pregnant. When you can identify several oils that work fine with your dog, you can then make blends using those oils if so preferred. Remember, essential oils can help with your dog’s physical and mental issues but … they’re also very powerful. For example, keep the door open so your dog can leave the room if she "has had enough". They are good for those suffering from allergies, coughing, and sinus congestion. black pepper, ginger, clove, nutmeg, etc.) If you have young children and/or small sensitive dogs in the house, it is better to diffuse cedarwood instead (together with a calming oil such as lavender and maybe sweet orange). 4. To be safe, assume the same thing may happen to dogs with asthma - avoid diffusing essential oils around your dog if she has a respiratory issue such as asthma. At this point, you may want to open the windows for some fresh air to get inside the house. Use a little extra caution with Melaleuca, Birch, Wintergreen, Spearmint and Peppermint, as well as hot oils such as Oregano or Thyme. Do not diffuse oils for hours on end. Peppermint oil is also anti-nausea and works well with ginger to help dogs with motion sickness. It can be difficult to find essential oils that are safe to diffuse around your pets or yourself if you are searching based upon what is on the bottle or what the website says or worse, based exclusively on price. All Content Copyright © 2008-2020   |   Natural Dog Health Remedies   |   All rights reserved. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you (learn more). Ingesting these oils can lead to gastrointestinal issues for your pet and can have a particularly negative effect on small, old, or young pets and any pets with liver problems. Using essential oils with different therapeutic properties, we can use diffusion for various purposes. Skip to content. If you are unsure if your pet has been negatively exposed to essential oils, there are some symptoms you can look for. We LOVE them here at Chez Acheson. Essential oils are used in flavorings, perfumes, and aromatherapy. Especially, absolutely avoid stimulating oils (such as tea tree, peppermint, or rosemary) on pregnant dogs. This equates to a dilution of approximately 0.25%, which is considered to be be mild and likely agreeable for pets. Because human bodies are so dramatically different from those of cats and dogs, essential oils impact us much differently than they do our pets. Diffusing certain essential oils around dogs might be beneficial for them.Eucalyptus , Lavender, Lemongrass and Frankincense are safe to diffuse around man's best. Use Essential Oils with Caution Around Your Pets, The Best Superfoods That Aid in Digestion, ← Ylang Ylang Oil for Hair: Improve Growth Naturally, Horsetail Oil for Hair Benefits: Improve Growth Naturally →. There are a good amount of essential oils that have been deemed safe and, even better helpful, to pet health. Again you absolutely need to dilute it with carrier oils first and should consider whether the risk is worth it for your dog’s unique needs. Do this several times throughout the day and that should be enough. Diffuse only gentle essential oils around dogs. Pet owners (particularly cat parents) should be mindful when using essential oil diffusers, especially if the device is a so-called “active diffuser,” a veterinarian in Ohio recently warned. When used improperly around animals, essential oils can cause respiratory issues and effect the nervous system, which can have very negative impacts on your pet. Contact with certain essential oils should be avoided and used with caution in diffusers due to their chemical properties. Do not diffuse oils for hours on end. They are used prolifically and have been found to have innumerable benefits, from helping prevent colds from taking hold in our immune systems to improving the health of our hair. Essential oils are natural but they still are not all created equal when it comes to our pets and little ones. While airborne, these dispersed oil molecules can get inhaled by us and our dogs. (FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this page, I may receive a small commission, at no added cost to you.). Is diffusing oils safe for dogs? But many people ask if Peppermint essential oil is safe for dogs. But you hesitate to use tea tree oil or other strong antimicrobial oils as they may not be too safe for your dog! Start with a small amount of a diffused or diluted essential oil and observe your pet’s behaviour. Simply add one to two drops of essential oil to a water-based diffuser. Young Living V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex This product is a diluting agent to be used with essential oils. Pennyroyal is a known toxin to dogs and all forms of it should be avoided in dogs. When you return, the room should have been “disinfected”, and the oils in the air should have dissipated. General guidelines when using essential oils around your pet. 2. 5- Cardamom: It has anti-bacterial properties and helps in normalizing appetite, cough, heartburn, and nausea. Be sure to use safe handling principles … or consult an aromatherapy expert so that you don’t risk making your dog sick. 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