Essential oils are a popular way to provide a natural scent to your home – but they must be used with caution in households with pets. If you are wondering which essential oils are not good for dogs (and cats, if you share a house with cats), note that: much Essential oils can be toxic to pets, even if they are not used directly on pets. We have veterinary advice on using essential oils in your home – and 52 essential oils to avoid.
This guest post from Texas A&M University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is important to read if you are using essential oils to scent your home, clean your home, or for your own health.
Essential oils are often introduced as a natural approach to personal care and home fragrance. However, just because these oils are plant-based doesn’t make them healthy, or even safe for your pets.
Murl Bailey, professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), advises pet owners to use essential oils with caution.
Special dangers of diffusers for cats
DogTipper Tip: Beware of diffusers around your dog as well as your cat. While cats are at particular risk for self-grooming, dogs also lick their paws and may eat Toxic essential oils accumulated there.
When essential oils are used in an aroma diffuser, the essential oil will be widely distributed throughout the room. Since many store-bought oils can be toxic to cats, if cats inhale the harmful oil, it can cause respiratory irritation.
“Diffusion oils are dangerous because the oil is inhaled,” says Bailey. “Not only are these oil droplets dangerous in themselves, but inhalation of these oil droplets can cause foreign body pneumonia in cats.”
Some diffusers, which work by acting as aerosols of oil, release small particles into the air that can collected on the fur of a pet cat.
When cats brush themselves, the oil can be swallowed. Symptoms of respiratory irritation include runny nose and eyes, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
In cats, shortness of breath can be mistaken for an animal trying to expel a hairball. Shortness of breath can be distinguished by the cat’s crouching low to the ground, little abdominal movement, and no fluff.
If cat owners suspect that their pet is in distress, they should move their cat to fresh air immediately. If the cat does not recover quickly, the owner shouldemergency veterinary care eek.
For any poisoning, owners can also call the Pet Poisons Helpline at 855-764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 .
Essential oil diffusers are also at risk of tipping over. If this happens, it’s likely the cat ingests spilled oil, which Bailey warns.
Swallowing essential oils
“Never give essential oils by mouth or into animal food‘ Bailey said.
“Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea and central nervous system depression, which can cause symptoms such as decreased heart rate and breathing rate. It is also possible to have seizures when taking large doses.”
Which common essential oils are toxic to pets?
Although dog owners shouldconflict with their vet Before introducing new products to the pet’s environment, Bailey provides a list Common oils are toxic to pets:
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Bitter almond
- Cinnamon
- Clove leaves
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Juniper
- lavender
- Yellow lemon
- Lemon grass
- Green lemon
- Mint (Including Eastern Mint, Peppermint, and Peppermint)
- Myrrh
- Orange
- Pine tree
- Rose
- rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Sassafras
- Tarragon
- Tea tree
- musk
- Wormwood tree
- Ylang ylang
Other Essential oils are less common but also toxic For pets include:
- Armoise
- Bay leaf (W. India)
- Aries (sweet)
- Boldo leaves
- Buchu
- rattan
- Clary Sage
- Mint
- horseradish
- Japanese yew
- Hyssop
- Lanyana
- Mustard
- Oregano
- Pennyroyal (N. Am.)
- Pennyroyal (Eur.)
- Sassafras (Brazil)
- Savin
- Savory (summer)
- Southernwood
- Cypress tree
- Wormwood chrysanthemum
- Thuja
- Wormwood tree
- The big wormwood tree
- Western red cedar
- Worm seeds
These products provide a natural home remedy for fragrance, but what works for you may not always be best for your pet. When using essential oils in the home, a cautious approach is best.
As always, pet owners should consult their veterinarian about any hesitation they have before using these products to ensure that they are acting in their best interest. best for their pets.
Pin it to remember 52 essential oils that are not safe for your pet
