Everything You Ever Need To Know About Animals And Oils

Nov 10, 2018

Many people enjoy the health benefits that essential oils can provide. Some essential oils can also benefit animals; they just have to be used carefully. You also need to consider the pet in question: Essential oils that can be used on a cat might not work so well for a pet snake or vice versa.

Here are general guidelines that apply to all animals and specific guidelines that apply only to certain pets.

Always dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, just as if you were going to use it on yourself. Treat each animal individually, especially if they are of different species or if there is a marked difference in size and/or age.

Consult your veterinarian before using an essential oil on an animal that has a medical condition, is pregnant, or is nursing. Also consult your veterinarian if you want to have your pet ingest the oil.

Start with small doses, and watch to see how the animal responds. Animals are generally more sensitive to essential oils than are humans. Watch for signs of discomfort like sniffing, nervousness, or a lot of scratching.

Don’t use the oil near sensitive places like the nose or eyes. Don’t use oils that contain a lot of phenol like Wintergreen, Thyme, Oregano, or Clove. Similarly, avoid “hot” oils like Peppermint or Wintergreen.

Never force an animal to ingest an essential oil or food that has been mixed with an essential oil. Many animals, especially cats, dislike the smell of food mixed with essential oils.

Get the cat acclimated to the oil by either diffusing it or wearing it near them.

Start with one drop of essential oil to every four drops of carrier oil, and apply the mixture to their paws.

Never use oils made from citrus plants. Never use essential oils on kittens that are under eight weeks old.

If you are diffusing the oil, make certain that the cat has a place where it can avoid the aroma.

Get the dog acclimated to the oil by either wearing it or diffusing it near them.

Start with one drop of essential oil to every five drops of carrier oil. The exact amount will depend on the size of the dog. Dilute the oil by at least 75 percent.

Never use essential oils on puppies, and never have the dog ingest it. As with cats, apply the essential oil to their paws.

Never pour the oil into the tank. Make sure the tank is closed and has a filter before diffusing the oil around it.

Birds are extremely sensitive to essential oils, so be very careful. Don’t diffuse the oil near the bird. Use only heavily diluted oils, and measure them out with a toothpick.

“Herps,” as they are sometimes called, are also sensitive to essential oils. Some of the rules that apply to birds also apply to them. For example, don’t diffuse the oil near the animal, and use a toothpick to measure it out. Apply the oil to only a small area.

Always use coconut oil as the carrier oil, and never use citrus or tree oils.

Start with the same dosage you’d use for an adult human, and follow the instructions on the bottle. Dilute the oil heavily. Then mix it with water and pour the result in a spray bottle.

You can also apply the oil to the animal’s spine and flanks. Don’t use the oil if the animal will be wearing a saddle or any other type of tack.

Have you ever used essential oils on your pet? Please tell us about your experiences and opinions in the comments and remember to always exercise caution when introducing new things into your pet's lifestyle.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!