On a table sits a spread of pebbles, several lit candles, a potted succulent, three rolled washcloths, two dryer balls, a small glass globe terrarium, and a shaker of sea salt.

Remember, Natural Does NOT Mean Safe! Your Pets & Essential Oils

DISCLAIMER:  I am not a veterinary professional, nor do I have any medical training.  Additionally, this blog post provides a layperson's advice with regard to using products containing essential oils around DOGS AND CATS ONLY.  You should always check with your medical professional and veterinary professional before using any such products around your human and/or fur family.  Please see bottom of page for reference citations.

If you've so much as glanced at my website or my Instagram feed, you've likely figured out that I am a proud dog mama.  Like many other pet parents, I am hyper-concerned about harmful chemicals in the products that I use around my house and near and on my pets.  

Not only do I want the products I purchase to be safe for use around animals, I want the products in my store to be safe as well.  So if you have a pup or kitty at home and you love to light a cozy scented candle or spritz a freshening room spray around the house, what essential oils are okay to use and which should you AVOID?

  First off, you should never use any essentials oil on your pets in its 100% concentrated form.  Applying undiluted essentials oils to your cat or dog (or allowing them to walk through a puddle of spilled oils, etc.) may cause symptoms such as:  

  • unsteadiness on the feet
  • depression
  • low body temperature (in severe cases).

Or if ingested, you may see:

  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • depression.

And, of course, you should see your vet right away in those instances.

Dermal (skin) absorption and ingestion (consumption) of essential oils are generally more harmful than inhaling them (such as from a diffuser, spray, or candle), but if your pet has respiratory problems, DO check with your vet BEFORE using any sort of essential oils around your pet.

Okay, SHEW!  All that said, what essential oils are generally considered to be safe for dogs?  Lavender, Chamomile, Myrrh, Ginger, Rosemary, Bergamot, and Frankincense are all generally well tolerated.

But you should AVOID THESE ESSENTIAL OILS AROUND DOGS:

  • Cinnamon
  • Clove
  • Hyssop
  • Citrus
  • Pennyroyal
  • Peppermint
  • Pine
  • Sweet birch
  • Tea tree (melaleuca)
  • Wintergreen
  • Ylang ylang
  • Lemongrass

And you should AVOID THESE ESSENTIAL OILS AROUND CATS:

  • Cinnamon 
  • Citrus (limonene)
  • Clove 
  • Eucalyptus 
  • Pennyroyal
  • Peppermint
  • Pine
  • Sweet birch
  • Tea tree (melaleuca)
  • Wintergreen
  • Ylang ylang

Now, do keep in mind that our furry friends have wayyyyyy better sniffers than we do, so be sure that your dog or cat can escape to another room if the scent gets to be too much for them.  Also keep in mind that, just like humans, not every dog or cat will react the same to a specific oil.  Just because your dog Sparky slept peacefully while you burned your lavender-scented candle doesn't mean your other dog Spot won't start sneezing around it. 

For whatever it's worth, I personally use the candles, room spray, and hanging car diffusers that I carry in my shop.  'Cuz let's face it...four dogs in the house means it's gonna get a little, uh, let's call it "fragrant" in here.  😊 🐾

References:

ASPCApro.org, "Are Essential Oils Dangerous to Pets?"; [no date provided] https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/are-essential-oils-dangerous-pets

ASPCA.org, "The Essentials of Essential Oils Around Pets," June 23, 2022; https://www.aspca.org/news/essentials-essential-oils-around-pets

petMD.com, "Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?  7 to Use and 12 to Avoid"; updated July 30, 2024; https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs 

"Essential Oil Toxicity Guide for Pet Owners"; pamphlet published by Nationwide and distributed to veterinary offices

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