Are scented oil diffusers safe for pets?

Image by Catherine Mails

Are Scented Oil Diffusers safe for pets?

This is Shadow our family pet. We love our pets and want to keep them healthy and happy. After all they are a member of the family. I experience anxieties during the winter. A friend of mine suggested that I get a diffuser for my bedroom, so at night I can put some calming oils in it to help me sleep better and to help with insomnia. I was super excited to try anything new.

So the next day, I bought a diffuser and some pure essential oils. I couldn’t wait to try this out. Shadow and I had our usual bedtime routine. He usually slept at the end of my bed until I stretched my legs out, then  he would jump off  the bed to the carpeted floor beside my bed.

Oh, the nice aroma silently eased me to sleep. I fell in love with it. The different scents, and having some wonderful sleep. I was so happy, that I purchased this diffuser.

After a couple of days, I noticed that Shadow wasn’t being himself. He was just off…. a little lethargy and had some unsteadiness. I was about to call the Vet and make an appointment for him. Poor thing. I first decided to google essential oils and diffusers. I was completely shocked on what my discovery came up with.

Short term a diffuser is  pretty safe in a secure place away from pets. If you have a pet with breathing problems, it wouldn’t be a good idea to use one.

Many essential oils are harmful to pets, such as Cinnamon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus,Wintergreen, Pine, Tea Tree Oil, Citrus, Sweet Birch, Ylang Ylang. These are harmful breathing them or if they are applied to them. Lavender can be used sparingly around dogs.

Some safe essential oils for cats are: lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense.

Being mindful of our fur babies, makes a Big difference. I’m so happy that I noticed Shadow not being himself. I removed the diffuser from my bedroom and he became himself the following day. As for my anxieties, I started mediation and sleep apps.