Determine what’s best for your pet after reading this professional advice.
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Many dog owners have questioned this while enjoying their favorite home fragrance, “Are diffusers bad for dogs?” Using diffusers is generally considered to be safer for people and to present fewer health risks than lighting candles or incense. But what about your canine friend?.
Marketers tout the superiority of the best essential oil diffusers over artificial home fragrances. Even a natural fragrance, though, can cause problems for your dog. Here is what certified veterinarians and canine specialists have to say about using an oil diffuser near your pet.
The type of oil that you use in your diffuser will have a significant impact on the answer. Dr. The director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Texas, Jamie Whittenburg (DVM), counsels Senior Tail Waggers (opens in new tab).
Home fragrance diffusers may be problematic depending on the product in the diffuser, according to Whittenburg. Dogs “tend to be less sensitive” to diffusers than cats, according to her general advice, so if they merely occasionally wander into a room with a diffuser in it, they should be fine.
If you frequently use a diffuser in the space where your dog spends a lot of time, then it’s a different story. According to Whittenburg, it is typically dangerous for a dog to be in a room with a diffuser.
Registered vet nurse Lucie Wilkins (opens in new tab) agrees. The safety of a diffuser for a dog, according to Wilkins, who has worked with dogs for more than ten years, “depends on what kind of fragrance or oil that you’re using.” Some are toxic, and others dogs can be fine with. ’.
Wilkins continues by advising against using any diffuser oil that contains artificial ingredients when choosing what to put in your diffuser. Use only natural essential oils, which are much safer for bodies and the environment and can be toxic to dogs and humans.
Having said this, even natural doesnt always mean safe. Even for people who have used essential oils for thousands of years, the question “are essential oils safe?” cannot be answered with certainty. There is an even greater need to exercise caution when using certain oils near our pets, such as dogs or cats. ( credit: Anastasiia Stiahailo / Getty).
Pet Safe Essential Oils for Diffuser: Dogs
Essential oils that are safe for dogs include:
Pet Safe Essential Oils for Diffuser: Cats
Essential oils safe for cats include:
Others, discuss with your pet aromatherapy specialist. You should check the ingredients of any diffuser blends you purchase to make sure no hazardous oils are present.
If you diffuse essential oils, make sure your pet can escape the diffuser at all times. If it bothers them, they’ll leave the room, and ideally, they can get some fresh air if they need it. You can assist your pet in overcoming anxiety or other problems using other techniques as well. Every pet owner should be aware of the symptoms of poisoning in their animals as well.
What to Know About Essential Oils for Pets
You are aware that your pet uses their sense of smell to explore the world. Just consider how your dog greets you when you first meet him or how your cat sniffs new food before tasting it.
Dr. According to Jeff, “Aromatherapy can be helpful in addressing animals’ medical needs because animals have a significant portion of their nasal passages and brain anatomy devoted to olfactory (smell) functions. ”.
However, because our sense of smell is much weaker than that of our pets, we can accidentally overdo it if there are no rules.
According to pet groomer and educator Malissa Conti-Diene,
Additionally, Malissa says, “Research shows that cats are much better at differentiating between scents than dogs.” So in a way, their sense of smell is more powerful than your pup’s.
We can diffuse essential oils that could be toxic to our animals because we simply don’t know, in addition to doing so for an extended period of time. Citrus oils, for instance, are hazardous for cats because they lack an enzyme to break them down, warns Malissa.
As you may already be aware, aromatherapy is the use of essential oils or fragrances. Imagine smelling the aroma of freshly baked bread. Such smells can cause your mouth to water and your mind to instantly start conjuring up images of biting into a slice of delectable bread.
Aromatherapy can do more than help your brain visualize happy moments, though. They’re also used in holistic healing. For instance, medical studies show people can use wintergreen for muscle pain, and melaleuca as an antibacterial agent.
These essential oils are plant-based extracts with healing properties. They interact with the molecules in our bodies in addition to having a pleasant scent.
Due to their very different makeup from humans, our pets can become sick and become overwhelmed by things that we might not even notice.
Fortunately, if you follow a few simple instructions, you can enjoy diffusing your healing essential oils and occasionally use your cats or dog.
Dr. According to Jeff, when treating patients who exhibit symptoms of anxiety, aromatherapy is the treatment I turn to most frequently. I ask the human caregivers of the animals to use lavender essential oils in the form of diffusers, cloths, or cotton balls soaked with this essential oil. I acupuncture points associated with the Yin meridians to promote relaxation. ”.
Malissa provides instructions on how to use diffusers safely and explains how they function.
“In a 24 oz. diffuser, which you can use for about an hour before turning off Because they are ultrasonic, the water droplets appear to be steam. Those molecular water droplets have essential oils. They are inhaled and fall to the animal’s fur as a result.
“One hour a day is all you need. Especially with felines because they groom themselves so much. One hour in the morning is more than enough, and if you want to repeat it before bed, that is. ”.
Both Dr. Diffusing is something Jeff and Malissa advise doing away from and out of reach from places where your pets spend a lot of time.
You don’t want to diffuse essential oils near your pet’s favorite napping spot, like a calming dog bed, because they may get too much of a good thing.
You need what’s known as a carrier oil if you want to apply the oil topically to your pet rather than diffuse it. The carrier oil dilutes the essential oil and guards against potential skin irritation on your pet’s skin.
For dilution, you can use jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or The size and age of your pet will determine how much you should dilute. It’s better to dilute heavily and gauge for a reaction.
“It’s just like us when we try a new product,” Malissa remarks. Give the body time to adjust. ”.
She adds that you can mix essential oils for a specific animal. For instance, you can mix geranium oil, rosemary, lemongrass, and bergamot with a carrier oil to make a blend that repels fleas and ticks. You should never allow your animals to ingest essential oils, so apply it to the back of your dog’s neck where they can’t lick it.
Once you are aware of the dangers of running your diffuser continuously and keeping it away from your pet’s favorite areas, let’s examine some of the toxic essential oils and which ones are less dangerous.
As mentioned above, citrus is a problem for kitties. Citrus oils should never be used on cats, according to Malissa, as they lack the enzyme needed to break down citrus. The cat may begin to heavily pant, which indicates that they are making an effort to process but can’t handle it They might drool or vomit. You might notice them looking woozy or lethargic. It depends on how much exposure they’ve had. ”.
Other oils toxic to cats via the Pet Poison Helpline include:
When it comes to using essential oils, you’ll see that dogs and cats often have a lot in common. Oils dangerous for dogs include:
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and not every pet will fit into it. Every animal, like people, is unique and has a unique molecular makeup that will react differently to diffusing Nevertheless, you might find it useful to include this list in your pet’s first aid kit.
You can always speak with a holistic vet or a pet aromatherapist if you’re a worried pet owner who wants to diffuse essential oils to learn more about how to use pure essential oils with your pets safely.
FAQ
What essential oils are safe to diffuse with dogs?
- Lavender.
- Cornmint.
- Cedar/Cedarwood.
- Bergamot.
- Lemongrass.
- Rosemary.
- Geranium.
- Citronella.
What essential oil smells are toxic for dogs?
Dogs should never be left alone with liquid potpourri or essential oils, such as oils of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Can the smell of essential oils hurt dogs?
Reed diffusers, warmers, and plug-in diffusers are examples of passive diffusers. Essential oil scents from these devices can irritate dogs’ and cats’ respiratory systems.