The Dangers of Essential Oils for Pets

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?

In 2018, a post went viral on Facebook in which a woman who had been treating her own cold with essential oils for her symptoms accidentally ended up poisoning her family cat. While essential oils can improve the smell of your home, there is little research on their health effects. Active diffusers, including our favorites, are not meant to be used around pets. Some essential oils can be toxic to pets, and none of them have been shown to be effective in treating pets.

There isn’t much scientific evidence that essential oils work better for pets than humans. The few studies we were able to locate are mostly funded by herbal pet supplement manufacturers (including these 2002, 2013 and 2016 studies). If you have pets, many essential oils should not be used at all, as they may be toxic to your pets, such as dogs, cats, and birds.

You should not use pure essential oils on your pets, either topically or orally, as they can be harmful, especially tea tree oil, and there is little evidence that they are effective. If you use an active diffuser (e.g. a nebulizer), ensure that the oil you use is safe for your pet (more on that below) and ventilate the room before allowing your pet back inside; even a safe oil can irritate your pet’s lungs. Passive diffusers, on the other hand, are generally safer, provided your pet does not knock them over or inhale them—and while there is no definitive rule, the more diluted an oil is, the safer. Always consult your veterinarian before using a passive diffuser.

The biggest threat to pets from essential oils comes from owners using highly concentrated oils for skin care or flea control. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), essential oils are among the most commonly toxic causes of cat tremors. There are also problems with the labelling of essential oils. For example, there are situations where a product may contain a large amount of low concentration oils, which can interact with each other and cause other hazardous byproducts. For example, an oil may be safe for some species but not others, or the percentage of oils in a mixture is not clearly stated, making it impossible to know if the oil is safe. In light of these problems and the fact that there is no scientific proof that essential oils work for pets, we recommend that you do not use any amount of oil on your pet, either orally or as a topical treatment, unless your veterinarian recommends it.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), essential oils are among the most commonly toxic causes of cat tremors.

Tea tree oil is not the most common cause of essential oil poisoning, but tea tree oil is. Tea tree oil is often used to treat pet hot spots or allergies. High concentration tea tree oil should not be used in cats and dogs, according to a 2014 case series published in JAMA. The case series reviewed 10 years of toxic exposure data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) animal Poison Control Center. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), just seven or eight drops of tea tree may be enough to cause problems.

However, tea tree is not the only harmful essential oil. According to the Pet Poison Helppline, there are specific oils that are toxic and should be avoided, even when using passive diffusers. 

For cats, essential oils that are toxic include 

• cinnamon oil, 
• citrus oil, 
• clove oil, 
• eucalypticus oil, 
• sweet birch oil, 
• pennyroyal oil, 
• peppermint oil, 
• pine oils, 
• tea tree oil, 
• wintergreen, 
• and ylang ylang.

For dogs, the top toxic essential oils are 

• pennyroyal, 
• pine, 
• tea tree, 
• and wintergreen. 

You can check the list of toxic and non-toxic essential oils from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to make sure your essential oil is safe for your pet. Even if your essential oil is not toxic to your dog, experts suggest using less concentrated oils and avoiding topical and oral use. "I wouldn't recommend pure concentration oil for my pet," said Charlotte Flint, senior veterinarian consultant in the clinical toxicology division of the pet poison helpline. "Pet products that contain oils, such as hotspot wipes or flea shampoo, are safer for your pet than pure oils and tend to have single-digit oil concentrations. However, due to the lack of research on their effectiveness, it's important to check with your veterinarian first to ensure the product you're considering is safe."

You should not apply any amount of oil to your pet’s mouth or body directly, unless your veterinarian tells you to.

"Lavender oil, which is a popular tranquilizer, is not a concern," said Tim Evans, Ph.D., director of toxicology at the veterinary medical diagnostics lab at the university’s college of veterinary medicine. There is limited research on the efficacy of lavender oil; it does not appear to have any particular adverse effects. However, if you are looking for a way to calm your anxious pet, try using a calming product based on pheromones.

The viral Facebook post was not about the direct application of oils. Instead, it was about the cat being exposed indirectly to oils from a diffuser of essential oils. The oil dispersed by the active diffuser may also settle on your cat’s fur and be absorbed through their skin or swallowed when licking themselves clean—a common concern with cats, who are meticulous cleaners. If your pet trips over the diffuser, oils can spill out and hit your pet; if you have a pet with respiratory problems or one that’s pregnant, even breathing in vaporized oil can be a problem. The experts also advised us not to use diffusers around birds, as birds have very sensitive lungs. Evans and Flint agree that passive diffusers (e.g. reed diffusers), plug-ins, candle burners, or warmers) can be safer than active diffusers around animals because the oil is not dispersed in the air. Active oil dispersal devices (e.g. nebulizers, ultrasonics) should be used at a distance from pets to prevent microdroplets from reaching their fur, skin or lungs. Even if the oil you use in your active diffuser is safe for pets, it can still cause respiratory issues if your pet inhales the micro droplets. Depending on the type of oil diffuser, it can be dangerous for your pet to knock it over and swallow the liquid. Make sure the diffuser is placed in a place where your pet can’t reach it.

Other tips from Flint include:

· Keep essential oil products away from curious pets

· Oil diffusers should only be used for a short period of time

· Keep the oil diffuser in a separate room from your pet

· Before allowing your pet back in the room, air out the room.

Active oil diffusers (e.g. nebulizers, ultrasonics) should be used at a distance from pets so that the microdroplets do not reach their fur, skin or lungs.

If you smell diffused oils on your healthy cat or dog, don't panic. If your pet is healthy and only exposed to the diffuser for a few minutes, Evans said, “I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

However, if you’re concerned about your pet’s exposure, keep an eye on them and take them to the vet if they show any symptoms. Common symptoms of essential oil poisoning include:

1. Watery nose/eyes
2. Red lips/gums/skin
3. Drooling
4. Difficulty breathing
5. Panting
6. Coughing
7. Wheezing
8. Vomiting
9. Lack of appetite
10. Lack of energy
11. Lack of balance
12. Wobbiness
13. Low heart rate
14. Low body temperature
15. Liver failure 

Exploring the Dangers and Best Practices for Using Essential Oils Around Pets:

If your pet has been exposed to the essential oils and is exhibiting symptoms, here are the steps you should take before going to the emergency vet.

1. If your pet has inhaled the essential oils, immediately take them outside for fresh air.
2. If the essential oils have come into contact with your pet’s skin or fur, rinse with dishwashing liquid to remove the oils.
3. If they ingested the essential oils, do not induce vomiting. This puts them in danger because essential oils can accumulate in the lungs and airways.
4. Place the product and its packaging in a plastic bag and bring it to the clinic.

For emergency assistance, call the animal poison control center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) toll-free at 1-888-222-1222 (a consultation fee of $95) or the pet poison helpline (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, $85.00 per incident). You can also return the call for the same case at no additional cost.

Regardless of the type of essential oil and diffuser used, always consult with your veterinarian, always conduct thorough research, and always use with caution. The poison is created by the dose, Flint said, and no two animals respond in the same way. It's just a reminder that "natural" doesn't always mean "safe."

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General keywords: essential oil diffusers, pet poisoning, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), pet poison helpline

Other keywords: tea tree oil, lavender oil, active diffuser, passive diffuser

FAQ Questions

• Can I use essential oils around my pet?

  • It's generally not recommended. Many essential oils are toxic to pets, and even safe oils can irritate their lungs.

• Which essential oils are safe for pets?

  • There is no guarantee that any essential oil is safe for pets. Consult your veterinarian before using any essential oils around your pet.

• What are the symptoms of essential oil poisoning in pets?

  • Symptoms can include watery eyes/nose, red gums/lips/skin, drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, lack of appetite/energy, and tremors.

• What should I do if I think my pet has been poisoned by essential oils?

  • Take them to fresh air, remove any oils from their fur, and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or pet poison helpline.

Tags:

• Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?
• The Dangers of Essential Oils for Pets
• Best Practices for Using Essential Oils Around Pets
• What to Do if Your Pet Has Been Exposed to Essential Oils
• Conclusion: Safety First for Your Furry Friends