If you’re into home goods, you’re probably familiar with essential oils. Not only do they make your house smell like a luxury spa, but they also offer potential health benefits like improving sleep and easing anxiety.
Unfortunately, if you have furry friends, you may need to rethink your essential oil addiction. While some essential oils are harmless to dogs, others can be quite dangerous to their health. It is very important to do your research if you’re thinking about (or already are) diffusing essential oils in your home. So we’re here to help!
Read on to see which scents to avoid and how to shop for essential oil diffusers with your dog’s health in mind.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are, essentially, oil mixed with compounds extracted from plants. These super-concentrated compounds have the unique scent of the plant, also known as the “essence”.
They’re typically used in a variety of ways—some people add them into recipes while others apply them directly to their skin. Probably the most common way to obtain the benefits of essential oils is to put them in a diffuser which spreads the scent throughout the home.
While it’s common knowledge not to administer essential oils directly to pets, they can also be harmful to animals when used in a diffuser.
Essential oils may ease anxiety in humans, but since they can be extremely toxic to your furry friends, there are alternatives. Instead of experimenting with essential oils on your pets in hopes they will calm them, try a natural mood enhancer instead.
Types of Diffusers
There are two types of diffusers: active and passive.
Active diffusers pump the oils into the air and disperse them throughout the space using some type of force.
Passive diffusers, on the other hand, allow for the oils to naturally evaporate without added force dispersing the oils into the air.
What to Avoid
While active diffusers are typically more effective in spreading the natural essence of the oil, they’re also more harmful to pets. If you decide to use essential oils, make sure you’re using a passive diffuser, avoiding any device that actively sprays oil particles into the air—you never know if one of those super-concentrated droplets may land on your pet’s fur.
On top of the type of diffuser you choose, there are also certain essential oils that you should avoid at all costs as a dog parent. These include:
- Tea tree
- Wintergreen
- Cinnamon
- Citrus (d-limonene)
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Peppermint
- Sweet birch
- Ylang ylang
- Anise
- Clove
- Thyme
- Juniper
- Yarrow
Yep, you read that right—tea tree oil, even in small amounts, is unfortunately toxic to dogs. Luckily, there are plenty of essential oils that are safe for dogs. Keep in mind, even safe essential oils can cause irritation in dogs’ airways.
Safe Essential Oils
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Helichrysum
- Lemongrass
Helpful Tips
As a pet parent, it’s important to take precautions before using an essential oil diffuser. We recommend doing the following best practices if you choose to use one.
- Avoid using a diffuser if your pet has asthma. Pets with respiratory issues shouldn’t be exposed to essential oil diffusers at all. Opt for a gentle candle instead!
- Use a passive diffuser. As stated earlier, active diffusers spray oils into the air, which could potentially land on your pup’s skin.
- Place your diffuser in an area that’s less frequented by your pet. Make sure not to place them anywhere near your dog’s food or bedding. This also goes with storing oils—make sure they’re stored out of your pet’s reach.
- Keep fresh air flowing. Make sure to ventilate your home, allowing for fresh air. Also, try to turn the diffuser off routinely instead of leaving it constantly running.
The bottom line when it comes to essential oils and pets is that, unfortunately, your favorite holistic health habit doesn’t have the same positive effect on your furry friends.
While essential oils won’t cure pet anxiety, our Hemp Health and Mood Enhancer has been shown to reduce anxiety in dogs. It’s made with only the good stuff and mixes easily into your dog’s food! Your pup will love the natural beef flavor and the calming effects of organic hemp seed powder. Click here to try it out!
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