You’ve got some great REVIVE oils and you’re really getting into using them around your home and in your life. Maybe you have put together a few DIY recipes, and you are using your Oasis Diffuser daily.  But, one day as you watch that beautiful mist begin to float up in the air, it strikes you… wait! Are essential oils safe for my pets?

That’s a great question! With a not so straight forward answer. Yes, essential oils can be used safely around your animals, but it does take some knowledge about best practices and what oils not to use.  In addition to the information provided below, we always ask that you discuss with your veterinarian.

Can I Diffuse Around My Dog or Cat?

Yes, there is a safe way to diffuse essential oils in your home if you have cats and dogs. The best way to diffuse is in a large space for short amounts of time leaving the doors open so they may exit when they want. You can even open a window for further ventilation if desired. For both cats and dogs, avoid diffusing the oils listed at the end of this article in small closed areas. For cats, in small areas, be careful with citrus, mint, and pine oils as these tend to be the most dangerous when inhaled. As a pet parent, you know your them best; so just keep an eye out for any changes in their well-being or behavior.

What About Topical Use?

Essential oils are not recommended for use topically on cats because they lack an important liver enzyme that allows them to break down the oils in their system. Over time, this leads to a build up of toxins in their bodies that may not be present right away, but after continued use, might be problematic. 

For your dog, remember that their sense of smell is extremely heightened. It is said that it’s possibly 1000 times stronger than a human!  This means that for topical use, you will need to dilute big time! Believe it or not, as little as .5-1% essential oil to carrier oil is effective for use with a dog.  Do not use on puppies under 10 weeks old or dogs that are pregnant. If your dog is ill, please consult with your veterinarian as they know their history the best.  

–          Start slowly. Once you have chosen the oil or blend that is safe for the dog and useful for that purpose, apply diluted to your own hands. Have the dog smell the scent on you first in case they have an adverse reaction to it.

–          For emotional concerns, inhalation might be best. You do not always need to apply the essential oils to the dog topically, but if you do, only use as needed and short term.

–          Use a lower dilution rate on smaller dogs.  Small dogs are safe with .25%-.5% essential oil to carrier oil ratio. While larger dogs can use 1%.

–          Acute situations like pain and skin issues, you can use about 2-3% dilution for a short amount of time.

–          When applying topically, use it in a place where the dog cannot lick it. The best areas are neck, chest, or inside their upper leg. When applying to a wounded area they may be able to reach, cover the spot or watch them so they can’t get to it.

Not All Pets are Created Equal

Let’s talk about birds and fish. You can enjoy diffusing essential oils, but just do so in a separate room. When it comes to feathers and fins, essential oils are not recommended at all for use topically or for diffusing in their rooms. Birds are extremely sensitive creatures and there have been numerous reports of harm being done to birds from toxins in the air. With fish, if essential oils were used in their water, they would take it into their system through their gills. This would not be healthy for them. Due to these issues, we simply make the request that essential oils be avoided  around or directly on our fine feathered and finned friends. This includes reptiles too. If you would like to continue enjoying diffused essential oils, do so in a separate room.

What about our little rodent buddies? Well, that one is tricky. The very small stature of hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, rats, ferrets etc., makes it incredibly hard to dose a blend correctly. Essential oils are so highly concentrated, and these tiny creatures are very sensitive, so once again, we do not recommend the use of them with these types of pets. You may diffuse in another room or on use oils on your own body when not handling the rodents.

What Is Safe for Farm Animals?

Now, let’s not forget our farm friends. Is it safe to use essential oils with our outdoor animals? Well, we have already discussed birds, so our farm fowl falls into this category as well.  We do not recommend use with chickens, turkeys, pheasants, guinea fowl etc. But what about our larger animals like sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses? 

Farm animals are very similar to dogs. The rules discussed above are useful for the barn as well. Smaller animals need smaller dilutions and use on baby animals is not recommended. Horses, of course are a larger breed, but also have a bigger nasal cavity. This means you must be careful in dosing due to their sensitive noses.

Equine aromatherapy is actually the oldest and most common form of animal aromatherapy. It is very popular in the United Kingdom, and other countries are beginning to follow suit. Dealing with an uneasy horse can be dangerous and unsettling. Using essential oils to calm them naturally, can help improve a chaotic situation. Inhalation is suggested first. Placing a calming blend on your own hands and cupping the horse’s nose is a safe way to allow them to receive the therapy. In chronic situations, you may apply diluted (2-3%) to their neck or chest. For physical ailments, the same dilution is advised; use only as needed to the affected area.

Which Oils Should I Avoid?

Now, you might be wondering if there are specific oils that you shouldn’t use? Yes, here is a short list of essential oils that we recommend avoid using topically or diffusing in a small closed room with pets. These oils are toxic or high in ketones or phenols.

•         Anise, Birch, Bitter Almond, Blue Tansy, Camphor, Cassia, Clove, Garlic, Hyssop, Mugwort, Mustard, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Rue, Savory, Tea Tree, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormwood, and Yarrow.

*   This list is not exhaustive; please speak with your veterinarian before using essential oils.

A Note About Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia a.k.a. Tea Tree is a commonly used essential oil and is often put into many people’s daily routines. But this powerful anti-bacterial oil is widely debated when it comes to use with animals. In most cases where illness has occurred with pets after use of Tea Tree oil, an extremely high dilution was used topically. There is talk that small doses may be safe, but there is still concern on exactly how much and with what animals. A recent case has been brought to light where a small dog had a negative reaction to inhaled Tea Tree. To err on the side of caution, REVIVE advises not to use Tea Tree oil topically or diffused in a small closed room with your pets present.