Essential oils have become increasingly popular in recent years for their various health benefits and uses around the home. Many people use essential oils for cleaning purposes as a way to avoid harsh chemicals and make their homes smell fresh and clean naturally. However, pet owners need to be aware that some essential oils can be toxic for cats and dogs if used improperly. As we bring more natural remedies into our home, it’s important to understand how to use essential oils safely around our furry friends. This article will explore what essential oils are safe to use around pets when cleaning and provide tips on proper usage and dilution.
Page Contents
- 1 Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?
- 2 Essential Oils to Avoid Around Pets
- 3 Essential Oils Generally Safe for Pets
- 4 Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely with Pets
- 5 Safe Essential Oils for Cleaning Around Pets
- 6 Are Essential Oil Diffusers Safe for Pets?
- 7 Signs of Essential Oil Toxicity in Pets
- 8 Conclusion
Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?
The short answer is that some essential oils are safe for pets, while others can be toxic or irritating. Cats and dogs can be more sensitive to the compounds found in essential oils than humans. Their livers are generally not as efficient at metabolizing and eliminating these compounds. Oils also get absorbed through their skin and into the bloodstream very efficiently.
Essential oils that are high in phenols like thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark can be irritating to pets’ respiratory systems. Oils high in terpenes like pine, cedarwood, citrus, and even lavender at certain concentrations may also irritate or be toxic to pets. On the other hand, essential oils derived from herbs like chamomile, marjoram, and basil are typically safer.
When using essential oils around pets, it’s crucial to dilute them properly and avoid diffusing oils around animals for prolonged periods. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly onto a pet’s coat or skin. It’s also important to consult your veterinarian, especially if your pet has underlying health conditions or is on medication that could interact with essential oils.
Essential Oils to Avoid Around Pets
Here are some essential oils that should always be avoided around dogs, cats, and other household pets:
Wintergreen
Wintergreen oil contains high levels of methyl salicylate, which can be toxic to pets if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Even small amounts can cause bleeding stomach ulcers, seizures, and severe central nervous system depression.
Peppermint
While peppermint is generally safe for humans, it contains menthol that can be toxic to pets. Peppermint oil should never be used with cats, as they are extremely sensitive to it.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol, which can cause muscle tremors, lethargy, poor coordination, and seizures in pets if ingested. Eucalyptus should not be diffused or applied topically around pets.
Tea Tree
Tea tree oil (melaleuca) can cause depression, weakness, incoordination, and hypersensitivity in pets if applied topically. Ingestion can result in severe clinical signs. Avoid any products containing tea tree oil.
Oregano
Oregano essential oil is very high in phenolic compounds like carvacrol and thymol. These compounds are extremely irritating to pets’ mouths, stomachs, and skin. Never use oregano oil or diffuse it around pets.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon bark oil is a dermal irritant and can cause sore mouth, vomiting, diarrhea and depression if ingested by pets. It should not be used topically or diffused around animals.
| Essential Oil | Concerns for Pets |
|---|---|
| Wintergreen | Toxic if ingested, absorbed through skin |
| Peppermint | Toxic to cats |
| Eucalyptus | Oral toxicity, neurologic symptoms |
| Tea Tree | Topical/oral toxicity |
| Oregano | Oral and dermal irritant |
| Cinnamon | Oral and dermal irritant |
Essential Oils Generally Safe for Pets
When properly diluted and used cautiously, these essential oils are typically considered safe for dogs and cats:
Lavender
Lavender is gentle and beneficial for pets when diluted to 0.5-1% in a carrier oil. It has calming effects. Avoid diffusing for long periods and do not apply undiluted.
Chamomile
Both Roman and German chamomile oils can be used diluted around pets for calming effects. Chamomile can also help soothe skin irritations. Dilute to 1% or less.
Frankincense
Frankincense is great for skin support and to calm anxious pets when diluted properly. Use up to 1% dilution. Avoid diffusing for prolonged periods.
Marjoram
Sweet marjoram oil can be diluted to 1% or less for its soothing effects. It helps calm nervousness and skin irritation in pets. Avoid diffusing extensively around pets.
Cardamom
Cardamom essential oil is gentle and safe for pets when diluted to 1% or less. It has uplifting aroma and gastroprotective effects.
Fennel
Fennel oil can help provide digestive and immune support to pets, especially dogs. Dilute to 1% or less and do not overuse. Avoid use with pregnant animals.
Cedarwood
Atlas cedarwood is gentle on pets when diluted properly at 1% or less. It helps repel insects. Do not use other types of cedarwoods like Virginian or Texas cedarwood, as they contain higher levels of thujone that can be toxic to pets.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass oil provides calming and pain-relieving effects for pets when diluted to 0.5-1%. Avoid diffusing extensively and do not apply undiluted.
| Essential Oil | Uses for Pets |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Calming, soothing |
| Chamomile | Calming, skin soother |
| Frankincense | Skin support, calming |
| Marjoram | Soothing, calming |
| Cardamom | Gastroprotective, uplifting |
| Fennel | Digestive & immune support |
| Cedarwood | Insect repellent |
| Lemongrass | Calming, pain relief |
Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely with Pets
Follow these precautions when using essential oils around dogs, cats, and other pets:
- Always dilute oils properly in a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil before use on pets. Recommended dilution is 0.5-1% for most oils.
- Avoid using oils topically on very old, young or sick pets without first consulting a veterinarian.
- When diffusing essential oils around pets, start with short time periods (30 minutes or less) to test for any irritation.
- Never apply undiluted essential oils directly onto your pet’s skin or coat.
- Avoid prolonged diffusion of any essential oil around exotic birds and reptiles.
- Keep essential oils out of the reach of pets – never leave bottles/diffusers unattended.
- Monitor pets closely for any signs of skin irritation, gastrointestinal distress or central nervous system depression after using oils.
- Be prepared to bathe your pet with dish soap and water if they get into essential oils and exhibit irritation or lethargy.
By educating yourself about the safety of different essential oils for pets and using proper dilution and cautions, you can utilize these aromatic oils safely in your home around animals. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian, especially if your pet has health issues or is on medication.
Safe Essential Oils for Cleaning Around Pets
Here are some gentle, pet-safe essential oils that can be used as part of DIY cleaners:
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil has cleansing properties and a fresh, uplifting aroma. When diluted properly, it is safe for use around dogs and cats and can be added to homemade floor cleaners, laundry detergents, and degreasing sprays. Always spot test for skin sensitivity before widespread use.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
With its bright, citrusy aroma, sweet orange oil is great for adding to DIY all-purpose cleaners, stain removers, and washing detergents when diluted to 1% or less. Avoid diffusing extensively around pets.
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Both pink and white grapefruit oils have cleansing and purifying properties. When diluted, they make excellent additions to surface sprays, tub & toilet cleaners, and laundry detergent boosters for pets.
Spearmint Essential Oil
Spearmint oil is gentler than peppermint for pets. Diluted spearmint oil can help freshen up room sprays, floor cleaners, and counter spritzers while deterring ants and flies. Avoid overuse around pets.
Thyme Essential Oil
Linalool chemotype thyme oil is best for pets, as it is free from irritating thymol and carvacrol. Highly diluted thyme oil adds antimicrobial action to soaps, detergents, and cleaners.
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella is a natural insect repellent, so it’s great for use in gentle pet shampoos and spritzers to keep bugs at bay. Avoid overuse, as it can be irritating to pets when concentrated.
Geranium Essential Oil
Rose geranium oil helps control odors and repel insects when diluted in pet sprays, rinses, and detergents. It has mild sensitizing potential, so patch test before extended use.
| Essential Oil | Uses in Pet-Safe Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Lemon | Floor cleaners, laundry detergent, degreasers |
| Sweet orange | All-purpose cleaners, stain removers |
| Grapefruit | Surface sprays, tub & toilet cleaners |
| Spearmint | Room sprays, floor cleaners |
| Thyme linalool | Soaps, detergents, cleaners |
| Citronella | Pet shampoos, spritzers (insect repellent) |
| Geranium | Repels insects, deodorizes pet sprays/rinses |
When creating DIY cleaners containing essential oils that will be used around pets, follow these guidelines:
- Properly dilute each essential oil in a carrier liquid like water, vinegar, witch hazel, coconut oil, etc. before adding to a cleaner formula.
- Dilute essential oils to 0.5-1% concentration in the final cleaner formula.
- Add essential oils to unscented, gentle base cleaners like Castile soap or baking soda spray.
- Test cleaners in an inconspicuous spot first to be sure they don’t stain or irritate surfaces.
- Allow surfaces/fabrics to dry fully before allowing pets near cleaned areas.
- Opt for more gentle essential oils around small pets like rabbits, rodents and birds.
- Store cleaners safely out of pets’ reach.
Using too many essential oils or over-concentrated blends around pets and in your home can lead to possible sensitization over time. Always stick to safe oils at the proper dilutions, and limit their overall use to avoid overwhelming your pets’ senses.
Are Essential Oil Diffusers Safe for Pets?
Essential oil diffusers do pose some risks for pets, especially cats and small animals like birds, rabbits, and rodents. Here are some key considerations regarding diffuser safety around pets:
- Only use oils safe for pets in your diffuser, like lavender or chamomile.
- Avoid diffusing oils like peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, citrus, spruce, and wintergreen around pets as they can be irritating.
- Do not run diffusers continuously for hours on end in homes with pets.
- Set your diffuser to run for shorter time intervals only when you are home to monitor.
- Place diffusers up high, out of the reach of cats and other curious pets.
- Watch pets closely for any reactions like wheezing, skin irritation, lethargy or hiding.
- Turn off your diffuser and properly ventilate the room if pets exhibit any negative effects.
It is safest to use an essential oil diffuser around pets when done carefully and selectively for short periods. Consult your vet before diffusing oils if your pet has respiratory issues or other health conditions.
Signs of Essential Oil Toxicity in Pets
Even oils considered generally safe can lead to poisoning in pets if misused or overexposed. Stop using oils and contact your vet immediately if your pet shows any of these signs:
- Drooling, lip smacking, head shaking due to mouth/skin irritation
- Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea or lack of appetite
- Difficulty or increased rate of breathing
- Skin irritation such as rashes, hives, swelling or redness
- Lethargy, trembling or inability to stand/walk normally
- Seizures or muscle tremors
Provide details about which essential oils your pet may have been exposed to and the amount, since this info can help veterinary staff provide proper treatment. Treatment may involve bathing your pet in lukewarm water with dish soap to wash away the oil, providing skin moisturizers, and administering medications to control central nervous system problems.
Early intervention greatly improves recovery, so do not wait if your pet exhibits any odd behavior after being around essential oils. Certain oils can cause liver or neurological damage and lead to other long-term health issues without prompt veterinary treatment.
Conclusion
Essential oils provide many benefits, but pet owners need proper education about their safe usage around dogs, cats, and other companion animals. Some oils like peppermint, cinnamon, oregano, and wintergreen should always be avoided. However, other gently oils like lavender, frankincense, chamomile, and lemon can be diluted and incorporated into cleaning products and diffuser blends for pets when used cautiously.
Following correct dilutions, limiting exposure times, and monitoring your pets closely for any irritation allows you to harness the sanitizing and calming abilities of certain essential oils safely in your home. As long as you do your research, exercise caution, and consult your vet about any concerns, essential oils and pets can successfully coexist.