Essential oils can be used to improve the scent of a room. However, many people don’t realise that particular types of essential oils may not be safe for our furry friends, and the last thing you want is to put your pet in danger. Generally speaking, cats and dogs tend to be more sensitive to scents than humans, and they also metabolise substances differently, meaning we need to take special care when introducing essential oils into the home.
By doing your research, you can enjoy all the benefits that essential oils bring without posing any undue risk to your four-legged friends.
Read on to discover more about cat and dog-safe essential oils available at N-Essentials, plus general tips and strategies for safely using essential oils around your home.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural compounds found in the bark, leaves, flower petals, and other parts of plants. These highly concentrated substances possess a unique aroma that has been used for centuries for various purposes.
One of the most popular ways to use essential oils is by diffusing them into the air with a humidifier or oil burner. They may also be applied topically as ingredients in homemade massage oils or lotions.
Essential oils can be an excellent choice if you are searching for natural, aromatic ingredients to use as fragrances or to add to homemade hair care, skincare, and cleaning products.
Are Oil Diffusers Safe for Cats?
Oil diffusers are a popular way to freshen up a room in your home, but it is vital to consider their potential impact on our cats. While oil diffusers generally don’t pose an undue risk to humans, they are not always safe for cats due to the differences in our metabolisms.
Certain essential oils used in these diffusers contain compounds that can be highly toxic when inhaled by cats. Additionally, cats groom themselves often, and if they ingest even small amounts of these essential oils in the form of micro drops on their fur, it can lead to serious health concerns.
Therefore, it is important to use caution when using oil diffusers around your cat and avoid using heavily scented varieties that contain potent oils. Always keep essential oils well out of reach of your cat (which can be difficult if they enjoy exploring!), and be particularly careful if your cat already suffers from liver or respiratory problems.
Providing that you do your research and only choose essential oils safe for cats, you will ensure the safety and well-being of your beloved pet.
Which Essential Oils Are Safe for Cats?
If you are planning to use essential oils in a diffuser or any type of household cleaning product, always check with your vet before introducing new scents to your home. They will be able to provide you with professional advice about which essential oils are safe for cats.
Generally speaking, cedarwood, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, spearmint, and tangerine essential oils will be safe to use around your cat, providing you do so in a safe manner.
One way you can improve the safety of essential oils is to ensure your diffuser is positioned in a well-ventilated room and your cat doesn’t spend too much time lying immediately next to it.
Which Essential Oils Are Safe for Dogs?
If you’ve never used a diffuser in your home before, be sure to speak to your vet before setting it up. They will be able to offer advice on which essential oils are safe to use based on the breed of your dog.
While cats lack certain enzymes that enable them to process essential oil compounds, the same cannot be said for dogs. However, that doesn’t mean all types of essential oils will be safe to use around your furry friend.
Many experts recommendcedarwood, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, spearmint, and tangerine essential oils as being safe to use around your dog. You might also want to introduce bay, cinnamon bark or leaf, clove bud, lemongrass, peppermint, and thyme but do so with some caution.
As is the case with cats, keep essential oil bottles well out of reach and set up the diffuser in a well-ventilated space.
Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely
Whether or not you have pets at home, there are a few strategies that everyone can keep in mind to ensure you’re reaping the full benefits of using essential oils in a safe manner.
- If you are using essential oils for topical application — including adding them to your bath water — be sure to use a carrier oil. Essential oils are too strong to apply to the skin undiluted and may cause an adverse reaction.
- Always patch-test any homemade product containing an essential oil before applying it to your skin.
- Always place a diffuser containing essential oils in a well-ventilated location, and be sure to check the recommended dilution.
- Use diffusers intermittently in a 30–60 pattern, meaning 30–60 minutes on and 30–60 minutes off.
Shop for Cat and Dog Safe Essential Oils at N-Essentials
Please note that the advice provided in this blog is of a general nature. If you are planning to introduce a diffuser into your home, be sure to speak to your veterinarian first to confirm which essential oils for pets are safe.
N-Essentials has a comprehensive range of essential oils, carrier oils, and raw materials available for a wide variety of uses. Learn more about our products by visiting our blog or contacting our team today with any questions you may have.