10 Essential Oils That Are Not Pet Safe

Essential oils are trending, and you can use them to cover up smells and even help treat conditions like sinuses. They’re even helpful on pets because they deter pests like ticks and fleas.

Having a pet is like having a best friend, confidant, and your cuddle buddy wrapped up into one furry (or not so furry) bundle of joy! But our precious friends or babies can’t speak and can’t tell us when something is wrong.

We keep them in our houses, and they’re exposed to everything we are, so when we use essential oils in our oil burners and diffusers, they’re being exposed too! Not every oil that is good for us is good for them.

Symptoms

While your pet might not be able to voice that something is wrong with them, you can notice some odd behaviors. If they start acting strangely, take them to the vet as soon as possible, along with any essential oils to which they may have been exposed.

Essential oils interact with our bodies when we inhale them or use them on our bodies, so they would do the same to your pet. But these oils can mess up your pet’s natural chemistry making these oils toxic for them.

The scent can stick to their fur, and they can ingest it when cleaning or licking themselves, and you may notice some changes in their breathing, see a reaction on their skin, or even see them vomiting.

The oils can leave your pet fatigued and stumbling about when they try to walk or even give them muscle tremors. Some pets may drool uncontrollably, paw at their mouth and face, and even have a reaction on their nose or mouth.

1. Wintergreen

Wintergreen oil is commonly used for treating headaches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other pains. But it is an essential oil that is toxic to both dogs and cats, so watch out for toxic symptoms in your pets if they’ve been exposed.

2. Citrus

Citrus oil extracts, including d-limonene, come from citrus fruits' skin; they are used to balance your mood, decrease your blood pressure, and even treat acne and ulcers. But it is harmful to both dogs and cats.

3. Pine

Pine oil has been used for centuries as a disinfectant; it's found in various household products, including floor cleaners and air fresheners. It’s toxic to both dogs and cats, so when shopping around for your floor cleaner, take note of its contents.

4. Oregano

Oregano oil can be used to treat various skin conditions, including acne, oily skin, dandruff, and psoriasis. It is toxic to cats, so if you use oregano to treat any conditions, keep it away from your kitty.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint oil is used to alleviate congestion, headaches, pains, and itching. You can also use it to repel house pests like spiders and ants, but it is toxic to dogs and cats, so if you have pets around, clean up after using it.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon oil can be used to scent your house like fresh Christmas baking and relax you, or even be used to plump your lips. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, but it should never be used on dogs and cats because it is harmful to them!

7. Clove

Clove oil is used to treat indigestion, relieving toothaches like your wisdom pain, and treating respiratory infections. Though you might benefit from using clove oil, it is detrimental to your fur baby!

8. Tea Tree

Tee tree oil has been in the line of fire for causing harm to your pets without knowing. We use it in the summer to repel flies and mosquitoes, and it has great antibacterial properties, but it’s not safe for dogs or cats at all!

9. Lavender

Lavender oil is used in aromatherapy as a calming scent; it’s been used to treat insomnia, eczema, and nausea. It is very toxic to cats, but dogs can still use it; if you have both dogs and cats, staying away is better.

10. Garlic

Garlic oil is used to fight stress and fatigue, but it also has anti-fungal properties and is used to help hair loss. But garlic is deadly to dogs; even if they like the smell, garlic can cause them harm.

Try not to expose your pet to any oils that may be toxic for them; the symptoms, primarily because it affects their breathing, can be deadly. It is for their safety, so restrict your use or throw the essential oils out!