Essential oils and pets

Essential oils are derived through an extraction process from plants, flowers, bark and wood, and are increasingly used for aromatherapy practices, perfumes, around the home and for personal care. But whilst these beautifully scented oils can be a lovely addition to our homes, it's important to know that there are some products that are in fact toxic to our pets. Let's take a closer look at this topic.

Essential oils should not be ingested in any form by our pets.

Cats lack the essential enzymes in their liver to metabolize and eliminate the chemical compounds in essential oils, therefore all essential oils have the potential to be toxic to cats. Dogs do not have the same enzyme deficiency, but they can still be at risk of irritation or toxicity due to the concentrated nature of essential oils.

To safely use essential oils around our pets, we first need to understand a bit more about how essential oils are most commonly used in our homes.

There are two broad categories of essential oil diffusers that you can buy, categorised as 'active' or 'passive' diffusers. Active diffusers emit particles of the oil into the air creating a light mist. These include humidifiers and vaporisers, glass nebulisers and ultrasonic diffusers. Be aware that the mist may land on furniture, bedding or your pet's coat and be ingested while grooming.

Passive diffusers include reed or evaporative diffusers, candle or heat diffusers. They emit a less intense aromatic scent as there is no mechanism forcing the essential oil into the air. These are generally a safer option around the house with pets, however, we always recommend you chat with your vet prior to use.

Pets with existing respiratory conditions are at greater risk of developing respiratory distress. If your pet has any existing respiratory conditions, it is suggested to avoid the use of essential oils in your home.

With the increasing popularity of essential oil diffusers, remember these quick tips to keep your pets safe:

Always consult your Vet prior to use and follow label instructions

Avoid using oils in the same room as pets, and ensure all essential oil products are kept out of reach

Never leave your pet unattended around essential oil diffuser/vaporiser products

Source high quality and pure oils to avoid any potentially dangerous fillers

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Cats

Cinnamon and cassia

Citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange)

Clove

Bergamot

Basil

Eucalyptus

Geranium

Lavender

Oregano

Peppermint

Pennyroyal

Pine oils

Spruce

Tea Tree

Thyme

Wintergreen

Ylang ylang

Dogs

Clove

Eucalyptus

Garlic

Geranium

Juniper

Pennyroyal

Pine oils

Rosemary

Tea Tree

Thyme

Wintergreen

Ylang ylang

One of the greatest risks of essential oils to cats and dogs is respiratory irritation. Respiratory irritation can present as:

Watery eyes and nose

Throat and nose irritation/burning

Nausea causing drooling and/or vomiting

Breathing difficulties shown by labored breathing, increased breathing rate, panting, coughing or wheezing.