Essential Oils and Pets: Safe Usage for Cats and Dogs
Essential Oils and Pets: Navigating Safety for Your Furry Friends
Introduction
We've recently received multiple questions regarding the safety of essential oils around household pets. There is plenty of misinformation circulating the web on this subject, so we thought it would be beneficial to address it thoroughly.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Your Cat or Dog?
The simple answer is both yes and no. With a few exceptions, when essential oils are used in a manner safe for humans, they are generally safe for cats and dogs as well.
You've probably read horror stories online about pets becoming horribly sick or even dying from exposure to essential oils. We've heard them too. Most of these cases have one thing in common: the oils were used in an unsafe manner that would likely cause illness to humans as well. For example, one confirmed case involved an owner shaving their cat and applying 20ml (2/3 oz) of undiluted tea tree oil directly to the skin to rid it of fleas. Tea tree oil is powerful and should never be applied undiluted to the skin of humans or animals, and certainly not in such large amounts. A few drops are usually sufficient.
Commonly Misused Oils and Their Dangers
Most cases of pet illnesses involve tea tree oil, with a few documented cases involving wintergreen, pine, peppermint, eucalyptus, nutmeg, or cinnamon. Again, these cases typically involve practices that are dangerous for humans as well, such as ingestion, undiluted skin application, or diffusing in concentrated amounts in a non-ventilated area. These practices can lead to injury or even death for your pet.
Another often-overlooked aspect in these cases is the brand of oils used. We've encountered numerous cases of people getting sick after diffusing synthetic or adulterated oils from untrusted brands. Many “cheap” oils sold in box stores or online are partly or wholly synthetic fragrance oils, despite labels claiming such nonsense as “therapeutic grade” or “100% pure.” Unfortunately, essential oils are completely unregulated in North America, leading to more snake oil dealers than legitimate essential oil companies.
Cats and Essential Oils
Cats may be at a higher risk of toxicity than dogs due to their lack of liver enzymes needed to metabolize certain oil constituents. However, according to Robert Tisserand, a foremost expert on essential oil safety, while cats are susceptible to toxicity from nutmeg and tea tree oils, a small amount of any essential oil, and a moderate amount of most, will not harm your cat. Tisserand also states, “You can diffuse essential oils around cats safely, as long as there’s good ventilation, you only diffuse small amounts for limited periods, and your cat has the freedom to leave the room if it wants.”
Essential Oil Safety Guidelines
Based on our research and expertise in essential oils, as well as advice from leading experts, we recommend the following guidelines for essential oil usage, applicable to both humans and pets:
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Never ingest essential oils without the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Pure essential oils are highly concentrated, and even a few drops taken internally can cause serious medical problems. Contraindications may exist for those with certain medical conditions.
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Never apply essential oils directly to the skin without first properly diluting them in a carrier oil (not water). Many essential oils can cause severe skin irritation or other serious medical conditions if applied undiluted, especially in large quantities.
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Never apply essential oils to the inner ears or eyes, even if diluted.
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Never diffuse essential oils continuously. Oils should be diffused intermittently, i.e., 30-60 minutes on, then 30-60 minutes off, and always in a well-ventilated room. Nebulizing diffusers should be used less frequently, as they diffuse more highly concentrated oil.
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Keep your oils in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.
Conclusion
Essential oils can be a blessing to the health and welfare of any home but must always be used safely around your family and animals.
For the highest quality essential oils on the market at the most reasonable prices, visit: Amish Heart Essential Oils.
For proper dilution and other essential oil safety guidelines, we recommend the Tisserand Institute: Tisserand Institute Safety Pages.
The information above was written concerning essential oil safety pertaining to cats and dogs. Other household pets have differing medical considerations.
Disclaimer: All content found on the AmishHeart.com and Vealstation.com websites, including text, images, audio, or other formats, is created for informational purposes only and should never be taken as medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Products and information from Amish Heart have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease.
About the Authors
The majority of the articles on this page are the collective works of Kevin and Jennifer Lanham. They operate Veal Station Ministries, Veal Station Market, and Amish Heart together, combining their expertise in various fields. Both are practicing Biblical Marriage and Family Counselors. Kevin brings a wealth of training and ministerial experience from a wide range of Biblical denominations and has studied through multiple seminaries, including Dallas Theological Seminary, The Master's Seminary, Nations University, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jennifer holds several Biblical and Biblical Counseling certifications and is a knowledgeable and experienced aromatherapist and medical massage therapist with a nursing background.