Essential oils are aromatic compounds that grow naturally in different parts of plants. Essential oils can be both helpful and harmful to pets. Before you use essential oils on your pets, you should learn more about how they can affect them. You should only use oils from reputable, high-quality companies. Make sure you try the oils on yourself first before you try them on your pets. Start slowly and use it sparingly at first, and watch how they react. Remember that some pets may be more sensitive than others, and that in general, cats may be more sensitive than dogs (birds are very sensitive to oils).
Things to Know About Essential Oils and Pets
Before using essential oils, you should always dilute them and keep an eye out for possible side effects. The amount and route of exposure will always make a difference. If you put highly concentrated oils directly on your skin, it could hurt. Depending on the type of oil and how much of it is absorbed through the skin, systemic effects can be caused.
Among the things to watch out for are:
- Unsteadiness or wobbliness in the feet
- Weakness or tremors in the muscles
- Changes in how they act
- Lethargy
- Changes in breathing or trouble breathing
- If they eat the oils, they will get sick or have diarrhea.
- Where they were exposed, their skin turned red (if topical)
- Low temperature in the body
Other things to watch out for:
- Don’t burn oils that smell good. (It gives off harmful chemicals and particles.)
- Animal noses are much more sensitive than ours, so what we might think is a small amount might be a lot to them.
- If you’re diffusing the oils, you’ll want to make sure that your pet can’t knock it over and that it’s in an open area so your pet can leave the room if it wants to. Diffusing a few drops over a few hours fills the room with a strong smell that may be too much for your pet.
Make sure to read up on how to use essential oils and pets, and be careful when you do. Talk to a veterinary professional who knows about the subject to find out how to use it correctly.
