Animal Aromatherapy: Essential Oil Resources for Dogs, Cats, and all Pet Lovers

Can You Use Essential Oils with Pets?

Because I’m known as an “essential oils doctor,” I’ve had many clients and readers ask me if they can use their essential oils with their furry family members.

Many have reported being nervous about exposing their pets to our aromatic allies due to information they found on social media and in the blog-o-sphere that essential oils may be “toxic” to animals. In almost all instances, I have reassured them that their sources have not come from clinical aromatherapists or holistic veterinarians with experience and are not research-based.

If you’re like me, you only want the best for your pets. So, in this video blog, I want to help you navigate through all the confusion about animal aromatherapy.

I will share with you resources from some of the most trusted-go-to sources in integrative pet care and from my own research. Topics include:

• The healing power of pets
• Why using aromatherapy with animals is controversial
• A podcast featuring the Natural Pet Doctor that focuses on overall holistic pet care and proper use of essential oils with dogs and cats
• An animal aromatherapy safety guide
• A guide to incorporating essential oils into your pets’ lives
• A summary of passive and active exposure of essential oils with pets
• The top five essential oils for using for your dogs’ skin issues

As always, all the resources, references, and study links will be provided in this accompanying article.

So, let’s get started.

 

The Healing Benefits of Pets

Many pet owners have accurately surmised that their dedication to caring for their furry friends also benefits their own well-being. Pets form a special bond with their owners, providing them with companionship and emotional support. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that interacting with animals:

• Decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces loneliness
• Enhances social support
• Uplifts mood

Furthermore, animals offer indirect advantages. These include improving mindfulness for being in the present moment, increasing physical movement (through taking walks and engaging in playtime with them), and sharpening our awareness of our environment.

For all these reasons, it makes sense that we want to take care of our pets in the best possible ways. As a holistic doctor for people, many of my clients, readers, and I believe this is through integrative medical care for their animals.

One of the mind-body tools I’m most familiar with for my own pets will come to you as no surprise. It’s essential oils.

 

Sorting Through All the (Mis)Information About Animals and Aromatherapy

Similar to the debates around the use of essential oils for humans, there is plenty of conflicting and unscientific scare tactics about using aromatherapy with pets.

Additionally, as with people, some of the most common reasons for adverse reports are not because essential oils are innately “toxic” to animals. It’s often because users have not done their homework to obtain quality oils for their furry, feathery, and slimy friends and/or have not dosed the oils appropriately.

Below, I go through why there is so much confusion around the safety of essential oils for pets.

Reason 1- The Saga of Toxicity vs. Overdosage

As mentioned above, many of the claims that essential oils are “toxic” to pets are not based on a personalized and common-sense approach.

One of the most common claims is that tea tree oil should never be used in animals. However, that’s not what Pet Poison Helpline states. They account for dose:

Australian tea tree plant (Melaleuca alternifolia). Tea tree oil is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, and possibly for its antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic effects. Tea tree oil is often found in varying concentrations and high concentrations should never be used on pets. As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats. Products containing tea tree oil concentrations less than 1-2% are generally considered non-toxic if used according to labeled directions. 

Robert Tisserand, trusted and world-renowned clinical aromatherapist and educator, further clarifies this topic (bold emphasis mine):

In general, making long lists of specific oils that are allegedly “safe” or “toxic” to cats doesn’t make a lot of sense to me – it’s more about overall exposure. You can diffuse essential oils around cats safely, so long as there’s good ventilation, you only diffuse small amounts for limited periods of time, and your cat has the freedom to leave the room if it wants. A few parts per million of aromatic vapor in the air is not likely to be harmful, but be careful to avoid build-up of vapors over many hours.

This is further solidified by a veterinarian authority in aromatherapy who writes the following on her site (bold emphasis mine):

Diffusion in a water-based ultrasonic diffuser is an ideal way to expose animals to the health benefits of essential oils on a regular basis.  If you think about what occurs in nature, animals would be exposed to small amounts of essential oils from the plants in their environment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Even the basic Oak tree releases essential oil constituents into the air!  There is a reason we just “feel better” when we are outside.  Essential oils are supposed to be part of our lives, as well as our animals’.  And when we live indoors, and have limited exposure to plants and Mother Nature, our health and happiness starts to suffer.  It is my theory that regular exposure to small amounts of essential oils, as nature intended, is a huge link to obtaining and maintaining health and emotional stability. 

Reason 2- Not Consulting Experts

Many people find that incorporating therapies that they have no experience with often doesn’t bring them the promised results claimed on the label. Or, worse, they can cause unwanted effects. This holds true for applying essential oils with pets.

For example, cats have a reduced ability to detoxify certain essential oil components (i.e., limonene, phenols). Yet, this doesn’t mean oils are off limits to our feline friends in ALL situations. The key to any intervention to being effective is using it in the right context, at the right dose, at the right time, and applying it appropriately.

When one is uncertain, rather than seeking answers solely based on other’s opinions, social media influencers with no or limited experience, or fancy websites, it’s best to consult an expert.

This is a great expert on using essential oils with dogs, stating the power of a common sense approach to holistic veterinary care:

If you want to use essential oils around or on your dog, it’s a good idea to check with a holistic veterinarian, herbalist or aromatherapist who’s knowledgeable about essential oils for dogs. Ask which oils are safe, the dilution ratios, and when and how to use them. Always watch your dog for any reaction, and give him a chance to say no to any essential oil you offer him.

Reason 3- Contradictions From Non-Experts

You will likely notice a few things about the proclamation of toxicity of essential oils in animals:

• They are usually not from an expert in veterinary medicine with clinical aromatherapy experience
• Claims are black and white (not based on dosage, quality, or exposure time)
• They lack scientific references or clinical cases

The fact is, there is hardly any contradiction with clinical aromatherapists and holistic veterinarians about using essential oils with pets. They all mostly do… in an appropriate way.

 

Holistic Pet Care and Using Essential Oils Safely with Cats and Dogs with The Natural Pet Doctor, Dr. Katie Woodley, BVSc, GDVCHM, cVMA (Ep. 395)

The scares and the controversies around using essential oils with pets portray how important it is to have trustworthy information from experts who do have experience with their use.

In a previous episode of the Essential Oil Revolution podcast, I was blessed to be joined by my go-to holistic vet, Dr. Katie Woodley, BVSc, GDVCHM, cVMA. She is world-renowned for her integrative approaches to support our furry friends, including, of course, the safe use of essential oils. Dr. Katie is a true pioneer in animal care who is dedicated to bridging the gap between conventional and natural veterinary medicine.

When you listen in, you are going to be blown away by Dr. Katie’s knowledge and authentic drive to educate us on how to holistically care for our pets and safely use essential oils with them.

Here’s a Run-Down of What You Will Learn:

• How pets support our own wellness.
• Dr. Katie’s story on how she got interested in “wholistic” vet care and how it links to her message of hope to pet owners everywhere.
• The five foundations of holistic pet care and how essential oils fit into them.
• The scary truth about the pet food industry.
• Essential oil safety in pets: the importance of correct dosage, dilution, and the purity and quality of the essential oils.
• Why cats are more sensitive to some essential oils than other animals.
• What signs your pet will display if the dose of essential oils is too high.
• How “self-selection” can help to determine what essential oil or herbs are best for your pet.
• What essential oils to be cautious with for dogs and cats.
• What to look out for in pet products that combine essential oils.
• The top essential oils that can be used for many of your pets’ common issues and wellness needs.
• The overlooked essential oil for pets that can help with digestive issues, vomiting, acid reflex, and inflammation.
• How to use myrrh oil for your pet’s skin and gum issues.
• Natural approaches and essential oils that can help with your pet’s grief.
• The importance of our pets’ emotional health.
• How pets can guide us to our own self-care.
• How essential oils support your pets’ microbiome and offer synergy.
• Dr. Katie’s favorite essential oil DIY for inflammation, pain, and skin irritation in dogs.
• Our closing questions.

Access the full episode to hear Dr. Katie’s wisdom. I believe this podcast is paramount to listen to for anyone seeking holistic solutions to their pet’s health.

 

Safe Animal Aromatherapy 

The clinical aromatherapists at Essence of Thyme School for Holistic Studies post wonderful articles with great references. Their school has a well-respected reputation and they are a good resource for those interested in learning more about aromathearpy.

In their post on animal aromatherapy, they state:

Animal aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils and other aromatic substances to promote the well-being of animals.

Like humans, animals can experience benefits from aromatherapy, including reduced anxiety, improved mood, and physical health support.

However, it’s important to note that animals are generally more sensitive to scents than humans, and not all essential oils are safe.

In the full post, they offer answers to some of the most common questions about animal aromatherapy in an easy-to-read format, including:

• Are essential oils safe for animals?? (As noted above, yes, they are but you must be careful about dosage, selection, and quality.)
• Can you use essential oils around cats and dogs? (See above.)
• Are oils toxic to dogs and cats? (No, not if used properly.)

 

A Guide to Using Essential Oils for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets 

Natural Living Family is one of my favorite resources for essential oils DIY (Do-it-Yourself) recipes. In one article, they invited another redeemed holistic vet, Dr. Roark DVM, to answer questions on various topics regarding using essential oils with pets.

Here’s a view of the Table of Contents:

• What Pet Owners Need to Know About EOs
• Are Essential Oils Safe to Use Near Animals?
• How EOs Can Help Your Animals
• Applying Essential Oils to Your Pets
• A Special Note About Cats
• Essential Oils & Pets – A DIY Index

Here’s the link to full guide.

 

Essential Oils and Pets: How to Use Them Safely

This post by Herbal Academy also offers additional guidelines on pet safety with essential oils, especially regarding more details on applications. The article covers:

• Passive and active exposures
• Cautions and adverse reactions
• Safer essential oils and carrier oils to use with animals
• Helpful tools
• Hydrosols
• Other resources

 

Top 5 Essential Oils for Your Dog’s Skin from the Natural Pet Doctor

Skin issues with dogs are common. Here’s an article from Dr. Katie’s posts on the use of helichrysum, melissa, frankincense, copaiba, and lavender for addressing them. She also provides an effective pain relieving recipe.

 

Summary About The Benefits of Pets and The Safe Use of Essential Oils with Our Animals

Our pets offer us emotional and physical support. As cherished members of our families, we want to do what’s best for them.

Animal aromatherapy provides us with a gentle and powerful holistic health modality to care for our furry friends. Essential oils can offer our pets many benefits, but they must be used mindfully and with appropriate dosage.

By consulting with experts with clinical experience, and tuning into our pets’ responses, we can use these aromatic allies to aid the wellness of our pets as we enhance our own health through passive inhalation.

For those who are wishing for more education and training in Animal Aromatherapy, you may want to check out Ashi Aromatics Inc. Their programs are the first in the United States to offer specialized educational modules specific for safe-use with animals and which are also accredited by NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy) and the HAA (Holistic Animal Aromatherapy Association).

I’d love to hear from you about how you holistically care for your pets and if you use essential oils with them.

Comment below.

Sending many blessings.

 

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Resources:

• The Power of Pets (NIH, 2018)
• The Continuation of the Lavender-Tea Tree-Hormone Controversy: In Defense of Essential Oils Synergy and Nature’s Wisdom (My article with references)
• Essential Oil Quality, Standards, and Safety Part 3: Verifying Quality, Certificates of Analysis, Sourcing, and Purity from Plant Source to the Label (My video blog with references)
• Tea Tree Oil (Pet Poison Hotline)
• Cats and Essential Oil Safety (Robert Tisserand, 2011)
• Animal EO for Diffusion (Dr. Shelton, AnimalEO)
• What Essential Oils are Safe for Dogs (Dogs Naturally)
• Holistic Pet Care and Using Essential Oils Safely with Cats and Dogs with The Natural Pet Doctor, Dr. Katie Woodley, BVSc, GDVCHM, cVMA (Ep. 395 of the EOR podcast)
• Animal Aromatherapy with Dogs and Cats (Essence of Thyme)
• A Guide to Using Essential Oils for Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets (Natural Living Family)
• Essential Oils and Pets: How to Use Them Safely (Herbal Academy)
• Top 5 Natural Remedies for Your Dog’s Skin: The Power of Essential Oils (The Natural Pet Doctor, 2024)
• Animal Aromatherapy (Ashi Aromatics, Inc.)