In spite of being extracted from plants, not all essential oils are safe for pets. Some essential oils have calming effects on pets, but some can agitate them to a great extent. Felines and canines are extra sensitive to smells compared to humans, so you need to be extra cautious while using essential oils around pets and be aware of the factors to consider before using essential oils for pets:

Safe essential oils for pets
This is one of the most important factors to consider before using essential oils for pets. You can use lavender, chamomile, clary sage, marjoram, frankincense carterii, myrrh, valerian, ginger, and cedarwood Virginian as they have many benefits. These ease mental and emotional stress, calm the mind and body and soothe anxiety, panic and hyperactivity. These oils tranquilize pets and encourage general well-being as they have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Toxic essential oils for pets

On the other hand, refrain from using oils such as anise, basil, birch, clove, eucalyptus, garlic, lemon, juniper, and cinnamon, as they can irritate the skin. Some of these essential oils can even cause kidney and liver toxicity in some pets. Breathing difficulties, weakness or fatigue, stumbling, and vomiting are other side effects of these oils.

Use a carrier oil for dilution
You need to be extremely careful while using essential oils on pets. How to use essential oils is among the factors to consider before using essential oils for pets. Try diluting essential oils in a ratio of 1 drop of essential oil to 1.5 tablespoons of carrier oil. You can use coconut, avocado, aloe vera, sweet almond, grapeseed, sunflower oils as carrier oils. While doing a patch test, apply the diluted essential oil to an insensitive part of the body and completely avoid using them inside the ears, eyes, mouth, jaw, or nostrils. A dime-sized application would suffice.

Test pet reaction prior to use

Always keep your doors and windows open while doing the test, as how a pet will react to a fragrance is uncertain. Also, if they are not comfortable, please don’t use force. Observe them very carefully after the usage for 24 hours for any sort of allergies.

Use good quality essential oils
Since pets are very sensitive to essential oils, it gets even more important to use good quality products. This is one of the vital factors to consider before using essential oils for pets. Always go for therapeutic oils of good brands and not any fragrance oil, as low-quality oils may have an adverse effect on your pet.

Safety for storing essential oils
Keep essential oils out of the reach of pets. However, if they do come in contact with the oil, consult your veterinarian.

Follow these factors to consider before using essential oils for pets and in case you have any doubts, consult a reputed and certified animal aromatherapist.