Many Essential Oils May be Harmful to Pets

Are Essential Oils Safe for my Pet?

            Use of natural products and essential oils is very popular right now.  Since these products are natural, they should be safe for people and pets, right?  Unfortunately, natural does not always equal safe.  Pets--especially cats and birds—metabolize things quite differently than you and I, and there have been reports of many essential oils being toxic to our furry and feathered friends. 

            Many people use essential oils in diffusers in their homes.  While this may be calming and relaxing for us, dogs and cats have many more olfactory sensors in their noses than we do.  Can you imagine being trapped in a small room with someone wearing very strong perfume or cologne?  That overwhelming odor can be anything but calming and this may be how our pets feel when exposed to diffusers.  Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems and inhaling diffused oils may be harmful to their air sacs and lungs. Fish, reptiles and small mammals may also have increased sensitivities to essential oils.

            Some oils can also be toxic if absorbed through the skin or ingested.  Oils like cinnamon, oregano, clove, wintergreen, citrus and pine oils should be avoided, especially in cats.  There are reports of oils like tea tree oil and pennyroyal oil (often used for natural flea control) causing liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and other problems. Thieves oil which is a blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary can also be problematic. 

            If you are using essential oils in your home, make sure that pets have a way to escape the area if odors are too intense, always use pure products and dilute oils and do not use in the presence of birds.   As far as using these products on your pets, consult your vet or a homeopathic veterinarian to make sure the oils is safe, use only diluted products.  The doctors at Patton Veterinary Hospital do not recommend using essential oils on cats or birds or diffusing essential oils in households with birds.  There are many natural and herbal substances that are safe and effective, but care must be used with these concentrated oils.  Please remember that the physical and aromatherapy aspects of essential oils that people enjoy may not carry over to our animal companions.   The bottom line is, please use extreme caution with essential oils and your pets.

            This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.