Essential oils that are safe and toxic to animals

Aromatherapy using essential oils is a pleasant ritual that can be carried out at home. When deciding to get a pet, it is worth familiarising yourself with plants that may be toxic to them and lead to poisoning, and in extreme cases even death. This also applies to essential oils, the composition of which may have a negative impact on your pet’s health. Before buying a new essential oil, you should read the description of each one and ensure that it is completely safe for your cat or dog. Here is a guide to the most popular essential oils that can be used in a home with a pet, as well as those that should be strictly avoided to prevent harm.

The effects of essential oils on pets

Essential oils undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health and well-being. They are used to improve sleep quality, relieve headaches or generally lift one’s mood. The situation becomes more complicated when we have a pet living in our home. It is well known that many dangers lurk for pets, which can lead to illness and a deterioration in their health. However, many unpleasant situations can be avoided, for example by purchasing only plants that are safe for a particular species of animal, so that if ingested, they will not cause poisoning or illness.

This also applies to essential oils, which, when used by humans, have only positive effects. The situation is different for animals, particularly dogs and cats. What is the risk of using essential oils in a home where a furry friend also lives? Pets, particularly cats, have a much more highly developed sense of smell. This means that scents which are safe for humans do not necessarily have a neutral effect on an animal’s respiratory tract. Their highly developed sense of smell means that all odours are perceived with greater intensity. What is a pleasant and relaxing ritual for humans may cause skin changes, diarrhoea or vomiting in our pet. What’s more, the essential oil doesn’t even need to be licked by the animal; simply the scent lingering in the air is enough.

For this reason, it is vital to ensure that a particular essential oil is safe for your pet before using it. You can consult specialist literature or discuss your intention to use the oil with your vet. It is also worth bearing in mind that a particular essential oil may be completely harmless to a dog but highly harmful to a cat, as cats have a much more sensitive digestive system, which makes them more prone to poisoning and vomiting.

Another thing to bear in mind is that an essential oil extracted from a particular plant, but from different varieties or parts of that plant, may have different effects on the animal. When checking whether a particular oil is safe for your pet, it is important to use the exact name of the oil and to consider whether it is, for example, bark oil or leaf oil, as each has significantly different properties.

Aromatherapy enthusiasts should introduce new essential oils into their home gradually. This will make it easier to identify which oil might have caused your pet’s condition to worsen. This is particularly helpful when a particular oil is less toxic, as your pet’s reaction to it may be delayed. You should always closely monitor your pet’s reaction to a particular essential oil and only use it in rooms with constant access to fresh air. You should only choose oils with a simple composition from trusted sources – preferably organic ones – which contain no additional harmful chemicals or artificial fragrance enhancers.

Essential oils for pets – which scents are safe for your pet?

Essential oils considered safe for pets tend to have milder aromas and are therefore gentle on their delicate respiratory systems. These oils can be applied directly to a pet’s skin, but remember to dilute them first and only after consulting a vet. Here is a list of the most popular ones:

Chamomile essential oil

It is produced from the flower heads of this plant via steam distillation. It is used in aromatherapy to relieve pain, combat colds and alleviate anxiety. It has a beneficial effect on the respiratory tract and strengthens the immune system.

In addition, it has a positive effect on the skin, accelerating its regeneration. It is also recommended for problems with hair or fur loss, as well as inflammatory conditions such as dandruff or itching.

Marjoram essential oil

Marjoram essential oil has been proven to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is invaluable for relieving emotional stress, as it has a calming and relaxing effect.

Using marjoram essential oil helps to combat viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Cedarwood essential oil

Cedarwood essential oil repels unwanted insects from our home, minimising the risk of bites, including to pets.

In addition, it helps treat urinary tract infections, such as cystitis. It also provides relief from muscle and joint pain and has a relaxing effect. It helps maintain a healthy coat in animals.

Basil essential oil

It is excellent for freshening the air in the home, whilst also acting as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. It soothes itching and is often used to minimise the effects of insect bites.

In addition, it clears the airways and helps prevent diarrhoea, vomiting and bloating.

These are just a few examples of essential oils that are safe for animals. It is important to remember that every animal is different and has varying sensitivity to stimuli and smells. It is recommended that you monitor your pet during aromatherapy and, if you suspect any issues, consult a vet immediately.

Essential oils harmful to animals

We now know which essential oils are safe and neutral for animals. It is now time to focus on those whose scent may worsen the health of our furry friends. We should categorically stop using them in a home where an animal is present. Even when the animal is currently away from home, as the scent can linger in the air for a long time. Any oils with a high polyphenol content are particularly irritating.

• Cinnamon oil– inhalation by animals can lead to stomach and liver problems, due to its high eugenol content.
• Tea tree oil– in excessively high concentrations, it can cause burns and severe allergic reactions. Accidental ingestion of the oil by a dog or cat can burn their mouth and even lead to the pet’s death.
• Thyme oil– its high phenol content has a negative effect on animals’ well-being.
• Clove oil– particularly harmful to dogs and cats, as it can cause numbness or a coma, and the smell itself is detested by pets.

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