Quick Guidelines:

• Cats and dogs have an enhanced sense of smell, so using diffusers could become overwhelming.

• Cats’ livers cannot metabolize some of the compounds in essential oils. Therefore, they may be more susceptible to toxicity. 

• Clients should keep oils stored away from pets.

• If a pet accidentally ingests essential oils, clients should call their veterinary office or the  ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

• Remind clients that animals react and absorb the oils differently than humans do. Any oils being used on or around animals should be diluted by water or a carrier oil.

• Some products are not made from pure oils; look for additional ingredients that could be detrimental to pets.

• Some oils could cause chemical burns if applied directly to the skin.

• Adverse reactions to oils include squinting, excessive drooling, scratching, increased breathing rate and lethargy.

Below are a few specific oils you may want to advise clients to steer clear of.

Important note: Pets may  react differently to certain oils; this list is not all-inclusive.  

For dogs:

• Clove

• Garlic

• Juniper

• Rosemary

• Tea Tree

• Thyme

• Wintergreen

  For cats

• Cassia

• Cinnamon

• Citrus

• Clove

• Eucalyptus

• Lemon

• Lavender

• Peppermint

• Spruce

• Tea Tree

• Thyme

•  

Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Its is not intended to be used in/for the treatment, cure, mitigation or diagnosis of any mental or physical disease or illness or as a substitute for consulting with a physician or other appropriately trained and licensed health care professional. The Essential Wellness is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the improper use of any suggestions, products,  preparations, or procedures mentioned or from attempts to follow historical reports of a plant’s uses.  Please note that essential oils do not necessarily have the same properties as other types of herbal preparations of the same plant and since essential oils are the most highly concentrated type of preparation made from plants,  they can have toxicity issues not arising from use of other types of herbal  preparations of a given plant. All issues that pertain to your physical or mental health should be discussed with and supervised by a licensed health care professional. Keep all essential oils away from and out of reach of children.