How to Use Essential Oils Safely Around Pets

How to safely use essential oils around your pets

By: Raquel Van Ry

As it cools down outdoors, I’ve been doing my best to cozy up my home by blasting feel-good tunes and cedarwood essential oil through my mood diffuser, in hopes that fast-forwarding to Christmasy things will somehow transform my view on the cold. My pup on the other hand, is thrilled to play in the snow. To protect him from the cold, I’ve been forced to become the lady that decks out their begrudging dog in a plush coat and booties. I promised him that if he would just tell me in plain English that he doesn’t like the coat, I’d stop. Alas, our pets cannot communicate so easily.

That’s why, if you plan to add any new candles or essential oils to your pet’s environment, it’s important to do your research and make sure you pay attention to any changes in your pet’s behaviour. All species have different sense abilities so whether you have a bird, a hamster, dog or otherwise, it’s a good idea to get to know more about your little friend. Did you know that dogs' noses are anywhere between 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive to smell than ours are? If you have a cat, their nose is fifteen times stronger than yours, making both pets extremely sensitive to different scents and fragrance. With such powerful noses, it’s important to take care when adding new candles or oils to your home. Essential oils can do wonders for you and your pet whether you use them to treat anxiety, behavioural issues or physical ailments, but before using any essential oil, do your research! All pets are different, so it’s important to find what works for you and your pet.

Some popular oils that you could start with are chamomile or lavender essential oil. Both oils are safe for pets and are fantastic for calming them, which can be really beneficial for pets that experience separation anxiety or are overly excited at times. These oils are both helpful to use helping your pet relax when you know visitors are coming. To use, set up your diffuser in a relatively open, well ventilated space that your pet can easily come and leave from. To start with, dilute the essential oil by adding just 1-2 drops to your diffuser and using your diffuser for 10-minute intervals, stopping for 30-minute breaks before diffusing again. Pay close attention to your pet. If they sneeze or show signs of distress, stop immediately. Most pets shouldn’t be bothered by oils like chamomile or lavender as they are generally safe for all animals, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Hopefully, your pet will love essential oils and their many benefits as much as you, and you can enjoy them together. For more information on how you can safely use essential oils around your pets, here is an informative article you can read.