With all of the different essential oil producers out there, there are now more options for essential oils than ever before.
With education and information becoming increasingly acknowledged on a large scale by the public, more and more people are looking to essential oils for natural cures and a healthier way to add a fresh scent to your room.
But many of us have pets, and we know how sensitive their noses and systems can be. If you have essential oils and want to make sure that you can keep your pet healthy while you use them, let’s figure out if essential oils are considered pet-friendly.
It Depends
First, it needs to be noted that the overall safety of essential oils for pets varies. Some essential oils are perfectly safe for use around your furry friends, and some are highly toxic and dangerous.
Then we have to take into consideration what kind of pets we have. In general, cats tend to have a few more sensitivities to essential oils than dogs. Of course, there’s also the matter of your specific pet and its sensitivities.
Which Ones Are the Most Dangerous?
Which essential oils are going to be the most toxic and dangerous? Let’s look at the lists for both cats and dogs, keeping in mind that these are only a few of the common essential oils these pets are sensitive to.
Toxic for Cats
- Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc.)
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Tea tree
- Ylang Ylang
- Eucalyptus
- Clove
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Lavender
Toxic for Dogs
- Citrus
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Thyme
- Juniper
- Garlic
In general, it’s always going to be best to avoid any sort of citrus essential oil as well as peppermint and cinnamon.
Which Ones Are Safe?
If you’re reading through this list with a heavy heart, don’t worry. There are quite a few essential oils that you can diffuse around your beloved furry family members. Let’s look at which essential oils are safe for cats and which are okay for dogs.
Safe for Cats
- Basil
- Rose
- Jasmine
- Hibiscus
- Sage
Safe for Dogs
- Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Marjoram
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Rose
Luckily, there are plenty of essential oils that you can use to keep your home smelling good without worrying about compromising the health of your four-legged friends.
How to Diffuse Safely
Even with these safe oils, it can be difficult to know how your pet will react to them. It’s best to take it slow and use these tips to diffuse essential oils in your home safely.
Time It Right
When you’re adding challenging new essential oil to the mix, make sure that you put your essential oil diffuser on a timer. When you only diffuse for short amounts of time, you limit the possible exposure that your pet has to the oil, lessening the chances of a severe reaction.
Variable Mist Output
Many of us assume that essential oil diffusers only have an on/off setting, but that’s not always the case when it comes to better-quality ones.
By changing the settings on your diffuser, you can have it mist in short spurts or emit a smaller amount of oil-infused water droplets into the atmosphere. This allows for less intense misting of your pets, reducing the risk of ingesting a toxically high amount of essential oils.
You Can Still Use Oils When You Have a Pet
If you’re worried that you can no longer diffuse essential oils in your daily life because of the health effects it may have on your pets, fret no more. With a bit of knowledge and careful selection, you can still use your essential oils without harming your pet.