Pet Safety Guide
Made from highly-concentrated plant substances, essential oils have been shown to have a multitude of health and wellness benefits for us humans. Of course, it's only natural to want to share these benefits with your pet as well!
But are they safe to use around our pets? The short answer is both yes and no. While there is great evidence that many essential oils have proven to have beneficial health related effects on our pets, experience of the opposite has sadly also been documented.
In the following, we've created a list of essential oils, with indications for whether they are deemed safe or unsafe for cats and dogs respectively.
These lists have been made carefully in regards to pet safety and created through various consultations with the highest and most current industry experts, reputable sources and authorities on animal pet health to date.
Listen To Your Pet
Even with essential oils that are deemed safe for our dearest pets, it's best practice to err on the side of caution and begin with highly diluted mixtures while being very watchful for any changes within our beloved animal companions.
Even better, let your pet smell the essential oil cap and look for their reaction. If they keep smelling it or even start licking the cap, it's a good initial reaction. On the other hand, if they either ignore it or back away, it's usually a sign not to use that specific scent around them.
While diffusing, always give your pet the option and availability to leave the room, and always maintain a natural airflow source (e.g. a slightly open window, doorway or similar). Don't use a diffuser in a completely confined space for prolonged periods.
And don't use essential oils around pets under 10 weeks of age, pregnant or nursing pets, or pets in general with a medical condition, because this could potentially bring your pet at risk.
Recommended Dilution Ratios
- Dogs are 5-1 with a good carrier oil.
- Cats are 8-1 with a good carrier oil.
Pet Health Warning Signs
If you discover or suspect any of the following symptoms in your pets, immediately contact a veterinarian and bring the essential oil with you in a sealed container for a better and quicker treatment outcome.
- Redness or burns on the lips, gums, tongue or skin
- Trouble walking or an uncoordinated gait
- Change in sleep and eating habits
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Low body temperature
- Lethargy or weakness
- Salivating or drooling
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shiver and shaking
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle tremors
- Low heart rate
- Liver failure
Essential Oils Pet Safety List
Keep in mind, that even though the list was created with the highest most current expertise, it is still best to assume that it is relative at best.
Always keep a close eye on your pet, and only use a very minimal and highly diluted dose, especially while starting out.
Bay
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Bergamot
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Birch
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Cardamom
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Cassia
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Cedarwood
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Chamomile
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Cinnamon
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Citronella
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Citrus
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Clary sage
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Copaiba
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Clove
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Eucalyptus
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Fennel
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Frankincense
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Geranium
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Grapefruit
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Helichrysum
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️️ Cats: ✔️
Jasmine
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Lavender
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Lemon
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Lemongrass
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Myrrh
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Orange
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Oregano
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Pennyroyal
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Peppermint
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Pine
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Rosemary
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Spearmint
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ✔️
Sweet basil
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ✔️ Cats: ❌
Sweet birch
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Tea tree
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Thyme
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Wintergreen
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Yarrow
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Ylang ylang
Humans: ✔️ Dogs: ❌ Cats: ❌
Contact Us
If you feel or have anything you'd love to add to our list, please don't hesitate to let us know, as we would love to hear from you! - The Zen Harmony Team.