We believe that you are the best advocate for your own health and wellness—and this includes that of your pets. It’s important to keep all members of your household in mind when using essential oils
ESSENTIAL OILS & PETS: WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN
Certain essential oils that are beneficial for your well-being may be harmful to our pets. Before using any essential oils around your furry, feathery, or scaley friends, our best advice is to consult your veterinarian. Animal biology is different from human biology and your pets’ health care specialist is the expert in the latter.
Read on for more general best practices on essential oil use around pets.
ESSENTIAL OILS & PETS: BE MINDFUL OF CHANGE
Just as one size doesn’t fit all for humans, the same goes for pets. When it comes to adding anything new to their environment—essential oils or otherwise—we recommend keeping a close eye on how your pet responds to the change. Here’s what to be mindful of:
- Pay attention to how your pet reacts and take note if they appear to be uncomfortable. If you notice any discomfort or agitation, move them to a well-ventilated room and stop using the product.
- If your pet appears to be in distress, contact your veterinarian or trusted animal practitioner right away.
- Make sure your pet is always able to leave the room freely and move to a different space.
- Be particularly mindful of pets that are in cages or enclosed spaces (like birds and small rodents) as they do not have the ability to leave the room if they become uncomfortable.
ESSENTIAL OILS & PETS: AVOID INGESTION
It’s important to note that all ingestion of essential oils is harmful to pets. Should you suspect your pet has accidentally ingested any essential oil product, please contact your veterinarian right away. When applying essential oils on yourself and then snuggling your pet, recognize that they may inadvertentlylick the essential oils.
ESSENTIAL OILS & PETS: AVOID TOPICAL APPLICATION
The ability to tolerate essential oils, for both humans and pets, is dependent on many factors: what plant species the essential oil is derived from, the type of product, the dose administered, and how the product is applied. Essential oil-use cases show that one of the biggest risks of toxicity comes from direct application on your pet’s skin. At Saje, we err on the side of caution, and in knowing that there is a risk in applying essential oils to your pet’s fur or skin, we strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian or trusted animal practitioner prior to the application of, or exposure to, any of our products.
PET-SAFE ESSENTIAL OILS: AVOID TOPICAL APPLICATION
Essential oil-use cases show that one of the biggest risks of toxicity comes from direct application to your pet’s skin. At Saje, we err on the side of caution, and strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian prior to the application of, or exposure to, any of our products. This includes:
- Waiting until topical products (like roll-on’s, mists, body oils or lotions, etc) and skincare products have fully absorbed into your skin before handling your pet.
- Keeping all product bottles tightly closed and away from your pets.
- Keeping diffusers and diffusers cords secure, so they won’t get knocked over or nibbled.
ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR CATS? Robert Tisserand, leading safety expert in the aromatherapy industry, speaks to this topic in a blog post on his website. He shares: “You can diffuse essential oils around cats safely, so long as there’s good ventilation, you only diffuse small amounts for limited periods of time, and your cat has the freedom to leave the room if it wants. A few parts per million of aromatic vapor in the air is not likely to be harmful, but be careful to avoid build-up of vapors over many hours.”
If you choose to use your diffuser in the presence of your cat or other pets, we recommend:
- Using only small amounts of your favorite diffuser blend (a maximum of one to five drops), and observing how your pet responds. A common reaction when a pet is not enjoying a particular aroma is that they will leave the room.
- Try diffusing for short periods of time (thirty to sixty minutes), or consider a diffuser with an intermittent setting (thirty seconds on, thirty seconds off).
- Ensuring the space is well-ventilated.Always keeping a door open so that your pet can enter and exit the room easily.
- Taking note of how your pet responds at all times. If you notice your pet reacting to an aroma, discontinue use, move them to a well-ventilated space right away, and consider contacting your veterinarian for further support.
PET-SAFE ESSENTIAL OILS TO CONSIDER
Here are the single note essential oils that we recommend exploring (after consulting your vet). You may also wish to seek out diffuser blends that include these single notes.We recommend one to five drops of any of the following essential oils in a well-ventilated space:
Essential oils safe for dogs:
- Cedarwood
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Mandarin & Orange
- Palmarosa
- Roman Chamomile
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
Essential oils safe for cats:
- Cedarwood
- Clary Sage
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Roman Chamomile
ESSENTIAL OILS & PETS: WHAT WE RECOMMEND AVOIDING
Though this is not an exhaustive list, below are a few of the essential oils that industry experts say to avoid diffusing in the presence of animals:
- Tea Tree
- Nutmeg
- Pine
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Wintergreen
- Clove
- Cinnamon
When it comes to the health and safety of your pets, we want to encourage you to educate yourself and stay well-informed. Trusted safety experts in the field of Aromatherapy include Robert Tisserand, Valerie Worwood, and Peter Holmes—among many others. We’re happy to support you in education as it relates to our products, and we are committed to furthering education in the Aromatherapy industry.
