What essential oils are safe or harmful for my cats and dogs?

Question

I was wondering if essential oils are safe to use around cats and dogs? I have an oil diffuser for anxiety, and read that it could be harmful to them. I primarily use lavender and peppermint, but I do have scents like chamomile, eucalyptus, and spearmint as well. Are there any I should avoid using around my pets? Thank you! Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 3 years and 7 months old

Kevin Sanada, DVM · Accepted Answer

It really depends on the product and the concentration. The truth is that there is little known about the safety of these products, because the companies have not adequately tested their products with animals. There are some essential oil diffusers like lavender that have been known to cause respiratory and skin problems. In general, dogs and cats are going to be more sensitive to the smell of these products than humans, so it may be at-least displeasing to them. Cats are more sensitive than dogs, so they will likely serve as the sentinel. If you are already using the oils and not noticing any problems, then they are likely OK; but no one really knows for sure. If you notice an increase in sneezing, coughing, or skin problems, then it would be wise to remove the diffuser. I hope that helps and all is well for your pets.

What essential oils are safe or harmful for my cats and dogs?

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