Essential Oils: With Pets

​|If you have pets, chances are you treat them as if they are a part of your family, like a son or daughter. For pet owners, it can be extremely important to take care of your live-in animal friends with proper nutrition and care (and of course lots of snuggles). And did you know that you can use essential oils with your animals to help them live happy and healthier lives?

This post will be dedicated to considering the benefits and safety considerations when using essential oils with or around pets and animals. Please note that I am not a veterinarian nor am I providing medical advice. I will be linking resources and referencing content and individuals who are more qualified or experts in the field who have their own disclaimer information that you can read about on their site.

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Benefits 

Essential oils can provide your pets with many benefits when used with proper safety precautions and considerations (see the next section for safety measures you should consider before using essential oils with your pet friends).  Some of these benefits can include:

• Stress/anxiety relief
• Increase bonding/affection when used to pet/snuggle with your animals
• Natural bug repellent
• For fresh breath and digestion
• Natural deodorizer 
• Soothing skin irritations
• Supporting urinary tract & healthy kidney functioning
• Reducing joint aches & pains
• Cleaning (animals and pet products)

Related: Essential Oils For Dogs - The Pros and Cons

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Safety Considerations

As a pet owner myself, it was important for me to check into the safety recommendations when using essential oils around pets before using them for myself. After doing a bit of research, I found a fantastic resource online through the Essential Oil Vet - Dr. Janet Roark is a veterinarian and uses essential oils for herself and for her own animals and in her practice. Check out her website for more much more information on the topic and on some great resources to purchase. 

​When using essential oils for yourself and around your pets, pay close attention to how your animal acts when using essential oils. Animals generally have a stronger sense of smell compared to humans and since essential oils are highly concentrated, an animal may have an aversion to certain smells or the strength of an oil. 

​General rules when using essential oils around pets:

• Dilute a small amount of essential oils first and add more slowly while paying attention to your pets reaction
• Ensure pets have room to roam away from the scent of essential oils (for example, when using a diffuser) and that there is adequate ventilation
• Understand your pets current health status or check with a veterinarian prior to using essential oils around animals
• Use only high quality therapeutic grade essential oils
• Use caution when using essential oils around animals that are pregnant, nursing, young, or on certain medications

General rules when using essential oils with pets*:​

• Dilute essential oils and add more slowly
• If using topically, dilute using a carrier oils such as Fractionated Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or Almond Oil
• Avoid these oils with cats: Basil, Citrus Oils, Birch, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel, Melaleuca/Tea Tree, Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, and Wintergreen
• Avoid these oils with dogs: Birch, Melaleuca/Tea Tree, Wintergreen. Use caution with hot oils such as Oregano, Cassia, Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary, and Thyme
• Use only high quality therapeutic grade essential oils
• Exercise extreme caution when considering using essential oils internally with animals - I would encourage speaking to a veterinarian first!

Please note that I am not a veterinarian nor am I providing medical advice. Please check with your local veterinarian, medical doctor, or poison control helpline if you are concerned about your pets health.

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I hope this post was helpful at providing more information for you to consider how to safely use essential oils around pets. If you have questions, share them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them or steer you in the right direction for more support. Thanks for reading!

​Related: Essential Oil Blog Posts

References: essentialoilvet.com, healinginourhomes.com

Essential oils are highly concentrated and as such should be used with great care, particularly with children, pregnant women, or those with medical conditions. The statements and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. The links on this page may be embedded with affiliate links for products that I may receive commission from.