Maybe you like diffusing a little peppermint essential oil in the morning to perk you up. Then, you add lavender oil in the evening to relax before bed.However, you’re like many pet parents; you might feel confused about essential oils when it comes to your pets. What are some pet-safe essential oils for a diffuser?
Is it safe to diffuse pure essential oils around your pets? Can you use them to help your pets feel calm when they’re anxious?
As you probably know, pure essential oils are much more than air fresheners. They have health benefits and medicinal qualities for both people and pets. Yet, our pets are far more sensitive to smells than humans. Certain essential oils like clove and pennyroyal can be dangerous to your pets.
You’ve probably also heard warnings like, don’t use essential oils directly on your pet’s skin, don’t let your dog or cat ingest them, and don’t diffuse citrus oils around cats.
The warnings can be enough to scare you off of essential oil diffusers and aromatherapy completely.
Yet, essential oils do have health benefits, including calming anxious animals. To get at the nitty-gritty of using these powerful oils around your pets, we’ve talked to both a veterinarian and a pet groomer/consultant and educator for their input.
Dr. Jeffrey Levy, aka “Dr. Jeff,” a house call veterinarian and musician in New York City, is a holistic veterinarian. Malissa Conti-Diene is a pet consultant, educator, and groomer at The Oily Groomer.
They both use essential oils in their work with animals and remind us that our pets have a highly developed sense of smell.
What to Know About Essential Oils for Pets
You know your pet’s sense of smell is an inherent part of how they explore the world. Just think about your dog’s “meet and greet” behavior or how your cat sniffs the new food before tasting.
Dr. Jeff says, “Animals have a substantial part of their nasal passages and brain anatomy dedicated to olfactory (smell) functions, so it makes sense that aromatherapy can be useful in addressing their medical needs.”
Yet, we can overdo it by accident without guidelines, as our pets’ sense of smell is exceptionally stronger than ours.
According to pet groomer and educator Malissa Conti-Diene,
If we can smell it, imagine 20x more for that animal. As humans, we get nose blind. We’ll diffuse for longer and longer amounts of time, and it’s overwhelming for the animal and can make them sick.
Additionally, Malissa says, “Research shows that cats are much better at differentiating between scents than dogs.” So in a way, their sense of smell is more powerful than your pup’s.
Besides diffusing essential oils for too long, we can also diffuse ones that can be toxic to our animals because we just don’t know. Malissa warns that citrus oils, for example, are dangerous for cats because they lack an enzyme to break them down.
The role of aromatherapy
As you may know, aromatherapy is scent or essential oil therapy. Imagine smelling the aroma of freshly baked bread. Such scents can make your mouth water and send your brain skipping through visuals of biting into a slice of delicious bread.
Aromatherapy can do more than help your brain visualize happy moments, though. They’re also used in holistic healing. For instance, medical studies show people can use wintergreen for muscle pain, and melaleuca as an antibacterial agent.
These essential oils are plant-based extracts with healing properties. They do more than smell nice; they also interact with the molecules in our bodies.
Our pets have a very different makeup than humans, so things we barely notice can be overwhelming and sicken our pets.
Diffuse with care
Fortunately, you can enjoy diffusing your healing essential oils with a few guidelines and even use them with your kitties or pup on occasion.
Dr. Jeff says, “My most frequent use of aromatherapy is in the case of patients which present symptoms of anxiety. I place tiny needles in acupuncture points associated with the Yin meridians to promote relaxation and ask their human caretakers to use lavender essential oils in the form of diffusers, cloths, or cotton balls soaked with this essential oil.”
Malissa explains how diffusers work and offers guidelines on using how pet parents can use theirs safely.
“In a 24 oz. diffuser, you can run it for about an hour and then shut it off. They’re ultrasonic, so it makes those water droplets look like steam. Those molecular water droplets have essential oils. They are getting breathed in and land on the animal’s coat.
“One hour a day is all you need. Especially with felines because they groom themselves so much. One hour in the morning, and if you want to run it again at night before you go to bed, that’s more than enough.”
Both Dr. Jeff and Malissa recommend diffusing away from areas and out of reach where your pets spend a lot of time.
You don’t want to diffuse essential oils near your pet’s favorite napping spot, like a calming dog bed, because they may get too much of a good thing.
Using essential oils topically
If you intend to put the oil on your pet as a topical application instead of diffusing, you’ll need what’s called a carrier oil. A carrier oil dilutes the essential oil and protects your pet’s skin from possible skin irritation.
You can use olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil for dilution. How much to dilute depends on the age and size of your pet. It’s better to dilute heavily and gauge for a reaction.
Malissa says, “It’s just like us when we try a new product. Give the body time to adjust.”
She also says you can create a blend of essential oils for a particular animal. For example, you can create a blend of a flea/tick repellant by blending geranium oil, rosemary, lemongrass, and bergamot together with a carrier oil. Apply it to the back of your dog’s neck where they can’t reach to lick it because you never want to let your animals ingest essential oils.
Now that you know not to run your diffuser all day and keep it away from your pet’s favorite spots, let’s look at some of the essential oils that can be toxic and which ones are safer.
Essential Oils Dangerous for Cats
As mentioned above, citrus is a problem for kitties. Malissa says, “Do not use citrus oils with felines ever — they lack an enzyme to break down citrus. The cat might start panting heavily, which means they’re trying to process, but it’s too much. They might drool or vomit. You might notice them looking woozy or lethargic. It depends on how much exposure they’ve had.”
Other oils toxic to cats via the Pet Poison Helpline include:
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
- Sweet birch
- Pennyroyal
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Peppermint oil
- Ylang ylang
- Eucalyptus
- Bergamot
- Tea tree oil (melaleuca)
Essential Oils Dangerous for Dogs
You’ll notice there’s a lot of crossover between dogs and cats when it comes to essential oils. Oils dangerous for dogs include:
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon
- Wintergreen
- Pine
- Thyme
- Sweet birch
- Tea tree oil (melaleuca)
- Anise
- Clove
- Ylang ylang
- Juniper
This isn’t a comprehensive list, nor is it necessarily true for every pet. Like people, every animal is an individual and has its own molecular makeup that will respond differently to diffusing. Yet, it might be helpful to tuck this list into your pet’s first aid kit.
As a concerned pet parent who wants to diffuse essential oils, you can always consult with a holistic veterinarian or pet aromatherapist to find out more about how you can use pure essential oils with your pets safely.
Pet Safe Essential Oils for Diffuser: Dogs
Essential oils that are safe for dogs include:
- Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
- Lavender oil
- Ginger
- Rosemary
Pet Safe Essential Oils for Diffuser: Cats
Essential oils safe for cats include:
- Frankincense
- Lavender oil
- Chamomile
Others, discuss with your pet aromatherapy specialist. If you’re diffusing blends you bought, you’ll want to review the ingredients and make sure they don’t contain any dangerous oils.
When you do diffuse essential oils, always make sure your pet can get away from your diffuser. They’ll leave the room if it’s bothering them, and ideally, they can access fresh air if they need it. You can also use other methods to help your pet deal with anxiety or other issues.
It’s also helpful if every pet parent knows the signs of poisoning in their pets.
Signs of Oil Toxicity in Pets
Your pet can get essential oil poisoning. If your pet displays any of these symptoms, call the ASPCA pet poison helpline at (888) 426-4435.
Symptoms of essential oil poisoning include:
- Drooling
- Difficulty Breathing
- Weakness
- Trouble walking — sometimes they stagger and stumble (this can indicate a problem with the central nervous system)
- Vomiting
- Liver Damage
- Skin Irritation
If you have applied essential oils to your pet topically, then wash it off as best you can. If you’re diffusing oils, then you’ll want to turn off the diffuser, get your pet into the fresh air, and call the pet poison helpline.
Essential oils are powerful medicine and are best used with awareness around your pets. Always consult a veterinarian or pet aromatherapy expert before experimenting with essential oils. Diffuse with care.
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FAQs
What essential oils are safe for cats in a diffuser? ›
A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. 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).
Are oil diffusers safe for animals? ›Active diffusers—such as nebulizing diffusers and ultrasonic diffusers—disperse essential oils more aggressively. In addition to emitting aromas, they spray small particles of oil into the air. While the droplets may be tiny, they can cause big problems for pets, ranging from skin irritation to neurological symptoms.
What essential oils are OK for dogs to smell? ›Yes, dogs can smell essential oils. However, not all essential oils are safe for your dog. Lavender is perhaps the most popular (and one of the safest) because of its calming properties. Peppermint oil is another good one that can stimulate circulation and deter pesky insects.
Can I diffuse eucalyptus around my dog? ›Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers.
Is Diffusing lavender oil safe for dogs? ›Pet-safe Essential Oils. While pet parents should avoid using the majority of essential oils, a few are safe for pets if used appropriately. For example, lavender (when used sparingly and in the proper concentration) is probably the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats.
Is vanilla essential oil safe to diffuse around cats? ›The vanilla essential oil has low numbers of phenols, so it poses no danger to your feline pal.
Can I diffuse lemongrass around my cat? ›Lemongrass oil is most often found in the form of a hydrosol, a 100% non-alcoholic aroma that is made by steam-distilling or hydro-distilling plant matter. Lemongrass is a safe essential oil to use around cats at a low concentration. It should not, however, be ingested by cats or directly applied to their skin.
Which Reed diffusers are safe for dogs? ›Wilkins gives her seal of approval to 'Cardamom, Fennel, Helichrysum, Frankincense, Spearmint, Chamomile, Frankincense, Ginger, Lavender, and Myrrh Oil. ' Cedarwood can also be added to the list of dog-safe oils. Oils you should always avoid diffusing around dogs are: 'Cinnamon, Citrus, Tea tree, and Peppermint.
Are essential oils safe in diffusers? ›And because there's no regulation, the label may not even list everything that's in the bottle you're buying. That's why essential oils should not be ingested. Johns Hopkins also advises against using essential oil diffusers, small household appliances that create scented vapor.
Is Lemongrass diffuser safe for dogs? ›Diffusing citronella or lemongrass oil outdoors may act as an insect repellent to keep away mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. This is perfectly pet safe.
What kind of essential oils are safe for dogs? ›
- Lavender.
- Cornmint.
- Cedar/Cedarwood.
- Bergamot.
- Lemongrass.
- Rosemary.
- Geranium.
- Citronella.
It is suggested that pet owners should use the cold pressed bergamot oil more so for diffusing and inhalation therapy, and use the FCF version for topical use, especially with animals that will be outside for a long period of time.
Is sweet orange essential oil safe for dogs? ›Is Orange Essential Oil Safe for Dogs? Orange essential oil has been used extensively in all species of animals and has GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status.
Can you diffuse peppermint and eucalyptus together? ›As a general rule, eucalyptus oil blends well with lemongrass, lemon, rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, and peppermint essential oils.
What happens if dogs smell eucalyptus? ›Symptoms of Eucalyptus Poisoning
If you see your dog salivating, vomiting, or having diarrhea and he or she was exposed to eucalyptus your pet may be experiencing eucalyptus poisoning. You also want to watch for signs of weakness and/or depression as these are also side effects of eucalyptus poisoning.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia): Vanilla has comforting and nurturing qualities for dogs who experience nervous tension, irritability, and/or anger. Dogs who have been known to bite are among those who this oil is recommended to. This oil can be inhaled, ingested or applied topically.
What scents are calming to dogs? ›Because barking and excessive activity are typically signs of stress in shelter dogs — not to mention being undesirable behaviors in the eyes of many adopters — the study concluded that exposure to the odors of vanilla, coconut, valerian, and ginger has the potential to reduce stress in shelter dogs.
Is peppermint essential oil safe for dogs? ›Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to dogs. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Is Cedarwood essential oil safe for dogs? ›YES, cedar oil is safe for pets and people when used as directed.
Can I diffuse peppermint around my cat? ›How safe are these essential oils for our pets? Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
What scents are OK for cats? ›
- Myrrh.
- Frankincense.
- Chamomile.
- Peppermint.
- Lavender.
- Ginger.
- Rosemary.
My cats are usually satisfied with the lavender fragrance, and they have never shown any signs of poisoning. My three cuties like chamomile and sweet basil essential oils, too. Based on my experience, I can say that they are safe for cats.
How do you diffuse essential oils around cats? ›Keep diffusers out of rooms where cats or other animals groom themselves. Diffusers and warmers put essential oils into the air, which can then land on a cat's fur. Keep essential oils off cats' fur and skin. Use diffusers and warmers in rooms without cats for short periods of time, and you should be OK.
Is Orange essential oil safe for cats? ›Essential oils that are unsafe for cats:
Citrus oils (bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, tangerine) Birch. Cinnamon. Clove.
People can buy lemongrass essential oil online or from a health food store. People should never apply undiluted essential oils on their skin or into their eyes, mouth, or ears. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has approved lemongrass essential oil as safe when people use it correctly.
Do reed diffusers affect dogs? ›Essential oils can be toxic to dogs whether inhaled, ingested or spread on the skin. Symptoms include: If you think your dog could have come into contact with the below essential oils and is displaying any of the above symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately and move your pet into fresh air.
What essential oils should not diffuse? ›Dr. Block advises against diffusing lavender and tea tree oils because of the potential complications, particularly in children and teens. Pregnant women and people who have hormone-related medical conditions such as diabetes should talk to their doctors before using essential oils topically or with a diffuser.
What oils can be used in diffuser? ›- Lavender. Lavender oil's sedative properties make it a useful oil for calming both emotions and physical concerns such as minor skin injuries, cramping, and sinus congestion. ...
- Tea tree. ...
- Peppermint. ...
- Orange. ...
- Lemon.
In their concentrated form (100%), essential oils can absolutely be a danger for pets. Dogs and cats who have either walked through oils, gotten some on their coat or had oils placed directly on them can develop health concerns. Symptoms include: Unsteadiness on the feet.
Is patchouli safe to diffuse around dogs? ›Patchouli essential oil is safe to use with your dogs and cats. If you're using essential oils around your family pets, be sure to allow them access out of the room and into a room where you're not diffusing.
Can I diffuse citronella oil around dogs? ›
Citronella is toxic to pets
Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.
Is it Safe for your Dog? Well, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals classifies jasmine (jasminium species) as nontoxic for dogs, horses, and cats. It is, therefore, safe to use jasmine essential oil for dogs.
Can I diffuse lavender around my dog? ›Pet-safe Essential Oils. While pet parents should avoid using the majority of essential oils, a few are safe for pets if used appropriately. For example, lavender (when used sparingly and in the proper concentration) is probably the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats.
Are Air Wick essential oils safe for pets? ›Is the product safe to be used around children and pets? Yes, when used as directed, the product can be used around children and pets (except birds).
Are essential oils safe in diffusers? ›And because there's no regulation, the label may not even list everything that's in the bottle you're buying. That's why essential oils should not be ingested. Johns Hopkins also advises against using essential oil diffusers, small household appliances that create scented vapor.
Is it safe to inhale essential oils from a diffuser? ›The answer is yes it is safe, but even more than that, breathing in essential oils can be good for you. Inhaling essential oils isn't just pleasant because of their gorgeous scents and aromas they release, but it can actually positively affect your mental and physical wellbeing too.
What scents are calming to dogs? ›Because barking and excessive activity are typically signs of stress in shelter dogs — not to mention being undesirable behaviors in the eyes of many adopters — the study concluded that exposure to the odors of vanilla, coconut, valerian, and ginger has the potential to reduce stress in shelter dogs.
Is Lemongrass essential oil safe for dogs? ›Lemongrass is toxic to dogs due to the cyanogenic glycosides and oils in the plant.
How many drops of oil do you put in a diffuser? ›Between 3 to 5 drops of an essential oil are recommended to use in a diffuser, if the diffuser's size is 100 ml. So 3 drops is a standard amount that can be used as a trial, if you are using an aroma diffuser for the first time.
Are plug-in scents safe for pets? ›No, plug-in air fresheners are not safe for pets. If you use them, make sure to ventilate the area.
Is Scentsy toxic to pets? ›
So, Is Scentsy Toxic to Pets? If used correctly and safely, and if your cat is not sensitive to volatile oils, then no, Scentsy is not toxic to pets, but it does have the potential to be. So, you need to make sure that you are using Scentsy safely in your home.
Is Scentsy safe for pets? ›Is Scentsy safe for pets? Scentsy bars are a great option for those with pets, such as dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, snakes, fish, etc., as, again, there is no flame, and they don't produce any soot or smoke when the wax is being heated to release the scent.
What essential oils should not diffuse? ›Dr. Block advises against diffusing lavender and tea tree oils because of the potential complications, particularly in children and teens. Pregnant women and people who have hormone-related medical conditions such as diabetes should talk to their doctors before using essential oils topically or with a diffuser.
What oils can be used in diffuser? ›- Lavender. Lavender oil's sedative properties make it a useful oil for calming both emotions and physical concerns such as minor skin injuries, cramping, and sinus congestion. ...
- Tea tree. ...
- Peppermint. ...
- Orange. ...
- Lemon.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to dogs. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Are diffusers safe for lungs? ›There is so much to learn about essential oils and their benefits, but it's always good to know how to use them safely. Oil diffusers are safe for the lungs and, when used correctly, they have many benefits!
What essential oils are good for lungs? ›- Eucalyptus essential oil. Many people use this oil without realizing it. ...
- Rosemary essential oil. Rosemary is a common garden herb. ...
- Peppermint essential oil. ...
- Frankincense essential oil. ...
- Oregano essential oil. ...
- Thyme essential oil. ...
- Geranium essential oil. ...
- Cinnamon essential oil.
Eucalyptus oil can be inhaled through your nose and may provide some cold symptom relief. It's also found in many topical decongestants. However, because even small doses of the oil can be toxic, you should avoid consuming it ( 9 ).