As the old saying goes, “Dogs are a man’s best friend”, and I believe that to be true. DOG spelled backwards is GOD, and I have never met a being that embodies unconditional love like a dog. Of course, cats love big too, and cat owners will say the same thing. Cats can sometimes decide it’s not in their schedule to give you love, they tend to be a bit more selective in their displays of affection. Regardless they’re all family, and bring great joy and love to our hearts.
I get asked a lot about using essential oils with our furry family, and if it’s safe to use them with our pets. The answer is there really isn’t a big body of scientific study yet as to the safety of using essential oils on our pets.
But we can use them in moderation with a few cautions and instructions in mind. I’m always going to err on the side of caution when using essential oils at all, as they’re powerful concentrated plant medicine and deserve great care when using oils at all, but particularly with pets.
Because there is such an absence of research on the topic, if you choose to use essential oils on your furry family, here are a few things to keep in mind when using them.
- Be sure to consult with an aromatherapist before using essential oils on your pet
- Keep all essential oils our of reach of pets
- Never give essential oils internally
- When you apply essential oils always dilute oils topically, Most sources suggest a .5% dilution or 3-6 drops per one ounce of carrier oil.
- Do not let your pet lick the oils or area where they were applied, watch for any sign of allergic reaction, and rinse with soap and water should you see any signs of a negative reaction.
- Never apply near their eyes, nose or mouth, around the genitals, or inside the ear, nose or mouth.
- Always remember less is more with essential oils, and remember that dogs have a sense of smell 500 times stronger than our own.
A Note About Essential Oils And Cats
If you have cats at home it is important to note that cats are much more susceptible to certain toxicities than dogs or other animals. Because they’re so small they can experience toxic effects from smaller amounts of oils, and caution must be applied at all times.
The other issue with cats is the fact their livers do not undergo a common process that helps to metabolize various compounds. Because of this, chemicals can accumulate in their liver and become toxic over time. This is particularly true for compounds such as phenol, a compound found in many essential oils, which can all lead to liver failure, seizures and other illnesses due to essential oil poisoning.
While all of this can sound a bit daunting, again, remember that less is more. I personally never use essential oils directly on my kitties, and limit diffusing essential oils to every other day for short periods of time when there are kitties present. The following oils have potential for toxic reaction in your furry family, and again, err on the side of caution for your beloved furry family members.
Potentially Harmful Oils for Dogs
- Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Oregano
- Pine
- Tea Tree
- Wintergreen
Potentially Harmful Oils for Cats
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Cinnamon
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Marjoram
- Orange
- Oregano
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Spearmint
- Tea Tree
- Wintergreen
- Ylang Ylang
Love on your four-legged furry family and let them know how much you love and adore them!! They ask so little and give so much, a lesson for us all. Indeed they are our greatest teachers of Love!












