Which oils are unsafe for cats?
Cat owners should exercise caution when using essential oils. Phenols, a chemical group in thyme and oregano oils, monoterpene hydrocarbons in pine oils, phenylpropanes in basil and cinnamon, and many ketone oils including wormwood and pennyroyal should be avoided altogether.
Citrus oils like orange, lemon and grapefruit also spell bad news for cats. Other oils to avoid around cats include wintergreen, clove, birch, anise, hyssop, juniper, tansy and tea tree oil.
Essential oils to avoid around dogs
Cats aren’t the only pets that can have an adverse reaction to essential oils. Dogs can also be affected by some of the oils that are safe for use with humans. By and large, dog owners should avoid using anise, clove, juniper, thyme, wintergreen and yarrow essential oils around their fur babies. Garlic and horseradish essential oils can also cause a range of allergic responses.
Essential oils that are toxic to birds
Birds are particularly susceptible to fragrances from household chemicals and candles. So, it goes without saying that they can also be affected by essential oil diffusers as well. Some resources online note that cedarwood, citronella, pine and melaleuca are poisonous to birds, so if you own a bird, it might be best to avoid these.
How to safely use oils around your pets
Essential oils enter the bloodstream quickly through topical application, ingestion or inhalation. Even very small amounts can have a large impact on the body — human and animal alike.
The most important consideration is the type of oil you use. Many essential oils on the market are fragrance-grade and not therapeutic or medical grade oils. While Young Living and dōTERRA are not the only companies selling these high-quality therapeutic grade oils, they are reliable companies. In fact, Young Living provides a guide for using oils, but we encourage you to talk to your vet if you have any questions about the safety of essential oils. dōTERRA does not currently list animal information on its website, but many distributors claim they have safely used oils on and around their pets for years.
When introducing a new oil to your household, diffuse it for a short amount of time and pay careful attention to your pet. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and that your pet doesn’t stand directly next to or over the diffuser. Begin with essential oils that are assumed to be safe for short-term use like lavender or frankincense. Then, monitor your pet for a few hours to make sure they’re acting normally.
Dr. Roark suggests a water-based diffuser in an open room that animals can leave if they don’t like the smell. Use only three to four drops of the oil at a time to avoid over-exposure.
Stop diffusing the oil and open the windows if you notice your pet acting strangely. In severe cases, call or visit your vet to make share your furry friend receives the care they need to recover from the exposure.
How to know if essential oils are harming your pets
It’s fairly easy to spot signs of poisoning in your cat or dog. In addition to a loss of appetite and trouble urinating, your pet may exhibit running eyes, vomiting, excessive panting, rubbing face, muscle tremors, diarrhea, rashes and drooling. Birds may experience wheezing, signs of dizziness and incoordination, weakness, anxiety, seizures or depression.
Common sense suggests that we would hear about essential oils poisoning more pets if they were highly toxic to our furry friends. But, since essential oils are a relatively new health trend, there’s an obvious lack of research on the topic. Be sure to talk to your vet before diffusing essential oils around your dog, cat or bird. Remember, what is safe for you may not be safe for Rover, Spot or Max.
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