Essential Oils today are found literally everywhere. Ranging from luxurious ones to affordable bottles, every household has some fragrances of Essential Oils like some necessities. But for households with pets, are Essential Oils really safe?
Essentials Oils may be the most popular health and wellness trend, but not for animals. Not all Essential Oils are made for use around pets, including even the calmest ones as well. Domestic pets, especially cats and birds, have a very sensitive sense of smell which make any fragrant thing very powerful for their respiratory system. Dogs, on the other hand, have a highly developed sense of smell, but even they cannot handle many essential oil fragrances that easily. While some essential oils are great to be used around pets, others can prove poison.
Come, let’s shed some light on Essential Oil Safety Around Pets.
Essential Oils are plant-based oils, and therefore they have numerous health benefits. Today, there are more than 90 different essential oils present, and they are known for their incredible smell and health benefits. However, Essential Oils for humans cannot be administered safely or even useful for/ pets.
According to Dr. Michelle Lugones, DVM, a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society in New York, certain essential oils can prove life-threatening for pets. Inhaling, licking, or even contacting them through the skin has fatal side effects. Therefore, households with pets should always be extra cautious while using any essential oil.
Here is more about different essential oils and how they are for pets:
Is Lemon Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
For a straightforward answer, Yes (Or maybe No), Lemon Essential Oil is safe for dogs. However, there’s no clear ruling on whether it is completely safe or not.
When diluted rightfully, the Lemon Essential Oil isn’t toxic for dogs. However, if you are using Citrus oils directly around your pet dog, it can prove extremely toxic.
Citrus essential oils contain d-limonene and linalool. This, when directly inhaled, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and severe liver problem in dogs. The more the usage and the higher the concentration, the results will appear fatal. However, as per several dog owners, when they use heavily diluted Citrus oils or Lemon Essential oils, the dogs do absolutely fine.
NOTE: There is no way of using Lemon Essential Oil around dogs and making it 100% toxin free. According to Antioch Animal Hospital, a pet hospital in Illinois, USA, one should not prefer not to use Lemon Essential Oil around their dogs either orally or topically. Even after dilution, the risks are still present there, and at some point in time, using the oil can prove dangerous.
Is Jasmine Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Jasmine Essential Oil perhaps has the most popular scent of all time. It is known for improving sleep quality, reducing anxiety along with preventing and curing seizures. Not only for humans but Jasmine Essential Oil is known for its calming effects on dogs as well.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Jasmine Essential Oil is classified as non-toxic for dogs, cats, and horses. Not only non-toxic, but it even can prove beneficial for your dog in a number of ways.
However, while using Jasmine Essential Oil around your dog, ensure that you don’t overdo it. Always keep the oil and diffuser at a safer distance, and do not allow the dog to inhale or lick it directly. In addition, introduce Jasmine Essential Oil slowly and monitor that your dog isn’t allergic to it.
Is Patchouli Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Patchouli essential oil originated from an Indonesian aromatic herb and is known for its skin regenerative qualities. Its anti-aging properties promote collagen and even treat conditions like eczema and athlete’s foot. Patchouli essential oil is a boon for humans; whether it is canine-friendly is still a point of study.
Experts have mixed opinions about using Patchouli essential oil around pets, including dogs, cats, and birds. However, some believe that Patchouli essential oil has some benefits for pets. According to experts, while using Patchouli essential oil around dogs, never overdo it. Always dilute the oil before use and monitor your dog for any kind of allergic reaction. If the fragrance is overwhelming for your pooch, discontinue the usage immediately. Especially around cats, be more careful.
Is Sandalwood Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Sandalwood is one of the most natural and holistic components found in nature. The Sandalwood Essential Oil is known for its incredible benefits for skin, mood, and common virus problems. Not just that, but it even has a very attractive scent.
Unlike many others, the Sandalwood Essential Oil is considered safe to use around pets. Pet owners even use it for treating fleas and ticks and common flue symptoms in canines. Many dogs even feel calm and relaxed with the fragrance of Sandalwood oil. In addition, it also helps in healing wounds and, surprisingly, in generating alertness among dogs. These are just a few, but Sandalwood Essential Oil has a range of benefits when used around dogs.
However, again the key is to start slow, introduce gradually, and always dilute the oil. If your dog is asthmatic, avoid using Sandalwood or any essential oil around them. Even if not, always monitor the dog for any allergic reaction.
Is Vanilla Essential Oil Safe For Dogs?
Though not considered for aromatherapy, Vanilla Essential Oil is popular for its excellent aroma. From use in food to cosmetics or simply to scent the house, it is a popular choice amongst households. Not just that but even households with pets, especially dogs, can play safe while using Vanilla Essential Oil.
Vanilla or Vanilla planifolia present in this essential oil have comforting qualities for a dog. It is known for soothing anger, irritability, and nervous tension in dogs. It relieves nervous tension and irritability while reducing stress and stimulating the brain.
Dog owners can use Vanilla Essential Oil in a passive diffuser or for topical applications.
However, always go slow and make sure you dilute the oil first. Some dogs may also show symptoms like vomit, lethargy, difficulty breathing or walking, and redness of gums, skin, tongue, etc. In such cases, discontinue the usage of Vanilla Oil and meet a Vet as soon as possible.
Best Safe Essential Oils for Dogs 2022
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Myrrh
- Jasmine
- Frankincense
- Vanilla
- Ginger
- Rosemary
- Bergamot
PLEASE NOTE: Before using any of the above essential oils around your dogs, make sure you consult a Vet first. Every dog reacts individually to essential oils, and therefore even the safest of them can trouble your pooch.
UnSafe Essential Oils for Dogs 2022
- Peppermint
- Wintergreen
- Pennyroyal
- Sweet birch
- Pine
- Thyme
- Juniper
- Citrus
- Tea tree (melaleuca)
- Anise
- Clove
- Ylang ylang
- Eucalyptus
- Cinnamon
Symptoms Of Essential Oil Poisoning In Dogs
If your dog displays the following symptoms (and you use essential oils at home), he is probably suffering from essential oil poisoning:
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Breathing difficulty
- Skin or mouth irritation
- Trouble in walking
- Liver damage
- Redness around mouth, tongue, gum etc.
How To Deal with Essential Oil Toxicity In Pets?
If your dog has developed essential oil toxicity, then:
- Take your dog immediately into the fresh air or at least a well-ventilated place.
- If the essential oil has come in contact with your pet’s skin or fur, wash the dog immediately. Use a disinfectant pet-safe soap for better precaution.
- If your dog has ingested essential oil, never induce vomiting or offer him water. This can put your pooch at risk of lung inflammation or airway obstruction.
- After that, take your dog immediately to an emergency Vet hospital or to any Vet nearby.
Safety Tips While Using Essential Oils in A House With Pets
- Always introduce slowly when using Essential oils around pets.
- Never use concentrated and non-diluted essential oils in a pet home.
- Always use a passive diffuser and keep the diffuser at a safer distance from the pet.
- Always keep the Essential Oils bottle sealed away from your pet’s reach.
- Only diffuse essential oils in a well-ventilated area.
- Consider limiting the hours while your use Essential Oils around pets.
- If you have a pet with severe breathing problems, do not use Essential Oils or any fragrant thing for that matter.
- Before choosing the right Essential Oils, always get to know your pet first and make sure you consult the vet as well.
Wrapping up…
Essential oils are definitely one incredible option to uplift your home but with pets around, try avoiding them the most. Although we don’t discourage using these oils, it would be more beneficial to find better alternatives.
Remember, pets have far more sensitive noses than humans, and thus they catch allergies very soon.
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