🌿 Using Essential Oils Around Pets: Safe Practices for Cats & Dogs
- topsyblends
- Jun 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 27
+ A Safe & Soothing Guide for Pets & Firework Season
Our pets are family—whiskers, wagging tails, and all. And with the Fourth of July coming up (aka firework season), a lot of us are looking for ways to help our furry friends feel safe and calm during the celebrations. For many natural-minded folks, essential oils come to mind—but when it comes to using them around pets, especially cats, it can feel like the internet is either shouting “YES, LAVENDER!” or “ABSOLUTELY NOT, EVER!”
Let’s take a deep breath (maybe with some properly diffused calming oils) and talk about how to use essential oils responsibly and safely around our beloved dogs and cats.
First, Let’s Talk Cats & Essential Oils
Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs—and that’s not a myth. Their livers lack a specific enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) that helps break down certain compounds in essential oils, which means they process things more slowly and can be more prone to toxicity. BUT! This doesn’t mean that essential oils are automatically off-limits...
Here’s what renowned aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand has to say about it:
“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.”
He also reminds us that even humans can experience symptoms from over-diffusing (hello, headaches and fatigue!), so it’s less about “is this oil safe for cats?” and more about how much and how often it’s being used.
Helpful tips when using essential oils around cats:
Keep the room well ventilated (open windows or crack a door)
Diffuse in large spaces, for short periods (think 15-30 minute bursts, max)
Always make sure your cat can leave the room freely
Avoid using essential oils on cats or in their bedding/toys/etc.
Dogs + Aromatherapy
Dogs tend to handle essential oils better than cats, and some oils can be wonderfully calming for them, especially during stressful times like fireworks or thunderstorms. Still, they’re more scent-sensitive than we are, so gentle is always the way to go.
A few years ago, my dog, Manuka, had a big old lump on the edge of his nose. (left photo shown here-- poor little guy!)
I took him to the vet, and though she was unsure what the lump was, she suggested removing it (for $800+…yikes!). Since it didn’t seem like the lump was bothering him, I ended up doing some research and putting a natural balm on his nose multiple times a day that was diluted properly with infused skin-nourishing essential oils of Myrrh, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Vetiver. Within a month, the lump was completely GONE. (photo on the right). I was shocked…and so grateful that I only had spent about $18 instead of $800!!
Takeway: essential oils can be extremely helpful for our dogs when used properly & safely.
Best Dog-safe Essential Oils:
(when diluted and used properly)
Lavender (great for calming)
Roman Chamomile
Myrrh
Frankincense
Cedarwood (Atlas or Virginian)
Vetiver
Tips for Calming Dogs with Essential Oils:
Diffuse calming oils in a central (large) room before the fireworks (or a stressful event) starts
Keep your dog nearby with cozy blankets, their favorite toy, and some white noise
Try a calming spray (very lightly misted in the room—not directly on them)
If applying topically (like to the collar or chest), always use a very low dilution (0.25–1% // 1-5 drops max per 1oz carrier oil) and test for sensitivity first, and refer to the handy list above.
As a certified aromatherapist, I diffuse essential oils throughout my house with my dog present, and he's as healthy, calm, and cozy as could be (unless he sees a squirrel or the neighbor's cat...then he goes a lil' crazy, but what dog doesn't?!) I just make sure I allow him space to come and go as he pleases when I'm diffusing essential oils in a well-ventilated space. I also never apply essential oils topically on his skin or fur without diluting first. Go slow, go light, and observe how your pet responds.
If you want to skip all the fuss with essential oils and your dog, a great option is hydrosols! They are healing waters left over from the steam distillation process and only contain trace amounts of the actual essential oils. Hydrosols = gentle, natural, ultra-safe. Lavender, Rose, Neroli, or Chamomile hydrosols would be perfect options to calm your pup during a stressful time.
Oils to Avoid Around Pets (Especially Cats):
While the focus is on exposure and ventilation, there are certain oils that are consistently linked to adverse reactions in pets—primarily if used topically or in high concentrations.
Best to avoid using around pets:
Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
Wintergreen
Anise
Juniper
Pennyroyal
Cinnamon
Clove
Oregano
Thyme
Pine & birch oils
Peppermint (for cats)
Eucalyptus (for cats)
Citrus oils (lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit) (for cats)
Keep in mind, some of these essential oils may be okay in a well-ventilated space with short diffusion times around dogs (not cats), but they’re more prone to causing respiratory irritation or toxicity with repeated exposure. The instances where there have been health issues with animals have been documented to show that the essential oils were overused and not diluted (and even consumed internally! Yikes!) I don't even recommend humans taking essential oils internally. So it's truly more about using your essential oils safely- for your sake too!
How to Know If Your Pet’s Had Too Much Aromatherapy
Always watch for signs your pet might be overwhelmed or reacting poorly:
Hiding, pacing, or restlessness
Drooling, vomiting, or lethargy
Labored breathing or coughing
Tremors or unusual behavior
If you see any of these symptoms after using oils, stop use immediately and get in touch with your vet.
💛 Final Thoughts
You don’t have to choose between your love of essential oils and your love of animals. With a little knowledge and moderation, aromatherapy can support everyone in your home—human, canine, and feline alike.
You can absolutely enjoy the benefits of essential oils and support your pets through stressful moments like fireworks season—it just takes a bit of mindfulness and moderation.
Always prioritize ventilation, low doses, and giving your pets the freedom to choose if they want to be in the space.
✨ At the end of the day, safety is all about being informed—not scared.✨
Have questions about oils and pets? I'm always here to help! Send me a message using the contact box below! I love to hear from you.
I hope this helps you feel confident about using essential oils around your fur friends and family. :)
Until next time, your personal aromatherapist,
Rachel
📚 References
Tisserand Institute. “Cats & Essential Oil Safety.”
Tisserand, Robert & Young, Rodney. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd Edition).
Churchill Livingstone, 2014.
Plant Therapy. “Essential Oils and Pets: What You Need to Know.”
Pet Poison Helpline. “Essential Oils and Cats.”
PetMD. “Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?”
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/essential-oils-and-dogs-what-you-need-know
National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). “Essential Oil Safety for Pets.”
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “People Foods and Products That Are Unsafe for Pets.”
