{"id":5873,"date":"2021-03-24T15:06:42","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T15:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=5873"},"modified":"2021-03-24T15:06:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T15:06:42","slug":"are-essential-oils-safe-for-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/are-essential-oils-safe-for-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dog,
\n If your pet is experiencing respiratory distress or seizures caused by essential oils, this is considered a \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergency \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you witnessed or strongly suspect your pet ate or was topically exposed to toxic essential oils, these are considered \u201cORANGE \u201d \u2013 or urgent cases \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If your pet is experiencing an allergic reaction (facial swelling or hives) to topically applied essential oils, this is considered a \u201cYELLOW\u201d \u2013 or semi-urgent case \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. Your pet should be seen by a vet within 24 hours. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Essential oils have become a very popular trend. The calming aromas are diffused in<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0the air, applied to skin<\/span>\u00a0and hair<\/span>, added to\u00a0<\/span>hygiene products<\/span>, and more! But before you go running for your oil<\/span>s<\/span>, we invite you to sit back, relax, and ask yourself<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cAre\u00a0<\/span>my\u00a0<\/span>essential oils safe for my pet<\/span>?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We know what you\u2019re thinking \u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re natural!\u201d \u201cThey have so many health benefits!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>and \u201cW<\/span>hy wouldn\u2019t they be?\u201d Wel<\/span>l,\u00a0<\/span>you may be surprised\u00a0<\/span>to learn\u00a0<\/span>that there are\u00a0<\/span>a variety of potential\u00a0<\/span>dangers when it comes to essential oils and pets. If you use essential oils in any capacity<\/span>\u00a0(or are considering trying them out)<\/span>\u00a0and have pets,\u00a0<\/span>read on for answers to common questions\u00a0<\/span>about\u00a0<\/span>using essential oils in pet-friendly homes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"oils,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>First\u00a0<\/span><\/b>o<\/span><\/b>ff\u2026What\u00a0<\/span><\/b>e<\/span><\/b>xactly a<\/span><\/b>re\u00a0<\/span><\/b>e<\/span><\/b>ssential\u00a0<\/span><\/b>o<\/span><\/b>ils?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Essential oils are volatile molecules extracted from plants<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that provide<\/span>\u00a0the plant\u2019s individual fragrance.\u00a0<\/span>The extraction process\u00a0<\/span>involves<\/span>\u00a0distillation, cold-pressing, or chemicals (<\/span>n<\/span>ote that there is a common concern that oils produced with the aid of chemicals are not pure).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People mostly use essential oils to make the<\/span>ir<\/span>\u00a0environment smell better, but oils are also<\/span>\u00a0often<\/span>\u00a0promoted\u00a0<\/span>to aid in the relief of health ailments such as\u00a0<\/span>nasal congestion, insomnia, and gastrointestinal distress.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>ssential\u00a0<\/span><\/span>o<\/span><\/span>ils\u00a0<\/span><\/span>u<\/span><\/span>sed<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Oils are often applied directly to skin<\/span><\/span>, hair,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0or on objects such as pillows or jewelry<\/span><\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>added to products such as body wash,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>soaps,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>shampoos, etc.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>D<\/span><\/span>iluted oils can\u00a0<\/span><\/span>also\u00a0<\/span><\/span>be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>diffused<\/span><\/span>\u00a0into the air<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2013 there are both passive and active diffusers available.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ultimately<\/span><\/span>\u00a0though, essential oils are absorbed very easily through the skin and mucous membranes. Then<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0they are either eliminated by the body unchanged or metabolized by the liver.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"diffuser,<\/p>\n

So\u2026are essential oils safe for my pet?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

There are very few studies that examine the safety of essential oils for pets<\/span>, and m<\/span>any of the studies\u00a0<\/span>that do exist\u00a0<\/span>looked at the effects in laboratory animals rather than in the \u201creal world<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0There is a concern that the active metabolites<\/span>\u00a0(compounds created through metabolism) may be more toxic than the original essential oil. Since different animals have different metabolic rates and pathways, these limited studies don\u2019t provide adequate proof that essential oils are safe or that they are effective for the intended use.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, if all essential oils in all forms were highly toxic to pets \u2013 there would be many more sick pets due to the number of people who use essential oils regularly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you do have pets & you do choose to use essential oils, here are a few establish<\/span><\/span>ed<\/span><\/span>\u00a0guidelines<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to follow<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n