Does Diffusing Essential Oils Harm Dogs?

You often read about the advantages of diffusing essential oils around the home. Some people claim that they are able to enjoy better rest at night, while others love the energy boost they can get from other essential oils in the morning.

But, there is one thing that people worry about when it comes to diffusing essential oils. That is, whether this is something that can be harmful to their pets. In particular, dog owners are looking for reassurance that oils will not harm their furry friends. Let’s take a look at what we know.

Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?

Do you want to enjoy the health benefits of essential oils but have a dog in your home? Of course, you are doing the right thing by researching whether this is a safe thing to do. So, we are going to give you the answer. There are some instances where it is going to be safe to diffuse essential oils around dogs. But, this should be done with caution.

First of all, it is best to use essential oils that are 100 per cent natural. This means that you know exactly what is in the product. For example, Smellacloud sells organic and 100 per cent natural oils you can diffuse. You can check them out at Smellacloud. But, there are only going to be some essential oils that you can use around your dog and that have been deemed safe through research. Here are some of them:

• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Ginger
• rosemary

Note that there are some studies to suggest that diffusing some of these natural oils might help your pet to relax. This could assist with separation anxiety and getting your canine to calm down when they are in the home. You will have to try it out for yourselves to see if it works. Of course, you can also enjoy the benefits that these essential oils have to offer you, which include relaxing and reducing stress.

Some Essential Oils are Toxic

Therefore, the real answer to this question lies with what essential oils you are using in your diffuser. There are going to be some that are safe to use, while others are classed as toxic and are going to be harmful to your pet. For example, here are some natural essential oils that you should not use around dogs:

• Peppermint
• Cinnamon
• Citrus
• Tea tree

There may also be other essential oils that are not safe and you should do further research on this before buying any. Indeed, a lot of people assume that because an oil is 100 per cent natural, it is safe. But, this is not the case for dogs.

Something else you should avoid is having a diffuser on for hours a day in the same room as your pet. For example, if you are out of the house and leave the dog in a room with the door closed, this is not going to be enough ventilation for them. This is a lot of exposure to essential oils and diffusion, which might not be good for them in the long term. What’s more, the last thing you would want is for them to knock over the diffuser and be able to access the oils.

Always Watch your Pet

Some dogs are going to be fine with safe essential oils diffusing in the home. But, others might not like them and this is something that you will have to monitor carefully. For example, if you notice that they are unhappy or are sneezing a lot, it is best to remove them from the room. In addition, other signs that they might not be reacting well to essential oils include nausea, a change in breathing and a runny nose. Again, do not ignore these signs.

In addition, you want to make sure that the essential oil diffuser is in a safe place. The last thing you want is for your dog to knock it over and hurt themselves or lick the essential oil. Just because an oil is deemed safe to diffuse, it does not mean that it is safe for your dog to consume.

Therefore, realize that every dog is different. Some may enjoy and benefit from certain essential oils. But, other furry friends can be irritated by them. The best thing to do is see how your dog reacts. You can use the diffuser for a little while to begin with to test their react to certain essential oils.

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