Safe Scents for Sensitive Snouts. Your guide to using essential oils around pets

Did you know that some essential oils can be harmful to animals? Animals like cats and dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can be sensitive to aromas we might not even notice. Dogs have 100 million sensory receptor sites in their nasal cavity compared to 6 million in humans! 

Here are a few dos and don'ts to keep your furry friends safe around essential oils.
1. Use gentle oils
At Absolute Essential, we've made it easy to choose animal-safe essential oils. Look for the Mother & Child logo on our packaging. Products with this logo are safe for pets as they're pure and gentle.

2. Use certified organic oils and blends

Avoid cheap or synthetic oils. Plant based essential oils are volatile, and when diffused using an ultrasonic diffuser, they suspend in the air, which is how we can benefit from their therapeutic scent. Synthetic oils (man-made in a lab), like those commonly used in air and car freshener plug-ins, are heavy and drop onto the ground and sit on the carpet fibres and on the floor where your pets hang out most. This can expose them to harsh chemical ingredients that may cause them allergies and distress.

3. Have an escape route

Ensure your pet can leave the room where you're using the essential oils. Keep the door open so they can get away easily if they're not enjoying the scent.

4. Keep your diffuser off the floor

Diffuse oils away from areas and out of reach of pets. For example, up on a table and not near their bedding or favourite spot to nap.

5. Keep an eye on your pets

Watch your animals carefully for signs of distress when using essential oils on or near them. Stop use immediately if you notice any panting, drooling, squinting, rubbing their face, vocalisation, shaking, difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhoea.

6. Limit use

If you're using a diffuser, have it going for an hour at a time rather than continuously throughout the day. This is particularly important if you have cats, as the oil molecules that diffuse into the air will land on their coats. As cats groom themselves so often, it's important to be mindful of how much they could be ingesting. 

Pure comfort for your pet

10 common pet-safe essential oils

*don't use citrus oils around cats – they lack an enzyme to break down citrus, so these oils can be toxic to them.

10 essential oils to avoid

Here are a few pet-safe blends to try for some common conditions:

To calm your pet down, diffuse 5 drops of Lavender Sweet or Lavender True. 

Add 2-5 drops of Lavender Sweet to a 100ml spray bottle, fill it with water and shake it to mix. Spritz a few bursts onto the body of your anxious animal - avoiding the face, nose, and eyes.

Fleas – Dogs –
Blend together 5ml Eucalyptus Lemon, 2ml Cedarwood Atlas and 3ml Lemon certified organic essential oils in a clean glass jar. This mix can be used in the following ways: 

Add 2-10 drops to 1 tea or tablespoon of shampoo (depending on the dog's size). Wash your dog at least every 14 days. 

Add 20 drops to a spray bottle, mix with 100ml of water, and spritz onto the dog's bedding. 

Add 2-10 drops to 1 tablespoon of natural Argyle clay powder, mix well and place into a small jar with a metal lid. Punch a few holes into the lid and sprinkle a little of this powder onto the dog's armpits and stomach. Repeat every other day for at least ten days.

Some dogs are more or less susceptible to fleas, so a natural approach can be more or less successful. Absolute Essential founder, Dr Bo Hendgen (proud owner of 4 cat and 3 dogs) has found that this treatment is great for extending the time between chemical flea treatments (if they’re still required).

Smelly dog –

Blend 5ml of Orange Sweet, 2ml of Lavender Sweet and 3ml of Spearmint certified organic essential oils into a 10ml bottle and add 2-10 drops to your pet shampoo every time you wash your dog or add it to water in a 100ml spray bottle (shake before use). Spritz this mix onto your dog's coat. Then comb it through the dog's fur. This will keep your dog smelling fresh between shampoos. 

With some care and planning, you and your pets can enjoy the soothing benefits of essential oils without risk. 

All information in this article is a general guide. If you're in any doubt, please consult your veterinarian if your pet has health issues.