Essential oils for pets

Dr Barbara Fougere shares with us the benefits and risks of using essential oils on our pet, how we can can use them correctly and which are safe for our fur babies.

Essential oils are volatile constituents of plants. The oil imparts smell and taste and is produced by plants as part of their immune and self-defence mechanism. Essential oils are highly concentrated, and therefore have great potential therapeutic benefits. However, there may also be increased risks for toxicity.

According to my colleague Dr Barbara Fougere, the use of essential oils has been documented in antique veterinary textbooks dating from the late 1700s.

Essential oils are absorbed by respiration, ingestion and direct contact through the skin. I never give essential oils orally (I prefer to use herbs for this), and I don’t use them topically in cats because they are fastidious groomers and will wash and ingest them.

When using essential oils, it’s worth reflecting that your pet may be more sensitive to odours in their environment. Dogs perceive their world via both sight and smell. They have many more sensory receptor sites in their nasal cavity than we do, and a much larger proportion of their brain is devoted to olfaction than is ours, so something that smells gentle and relaxing to us may be completely overwhelming for them. This also means that many dogs respond well to aromatherapy. Cats may have fewer scent receptors than dogs, but they too have many more than we do.

Safely using essential oils

The quality of your chosen oil is essential. Use oils that are pure and not synthetic. Oils acquired cheaply online may be contaminated with chemicals. Companies that sell pure essential oils should have an independent assessment of the quality of their product easily available to the public. Young Living and doTerra are two brands I have used.

Go slow with introducing essential oils to your pet. As a guide, consider asking your dog or cat to smell the unopened bottle. If they consistently move away from it, then they may not tolerate that smell.

Use a water-based diffuser, and not an open flame, which may burn the oils and produce toxic chemicals. Diffuse three or four drops of your chosen oil or blend and place it in a safe place in a well-ventilated room, with an escape hatch such as an open door so your pet can leave if they wish.

Although other holistic vets trained in aromatherapy may use them, I don’t recommend essential oils for pets with respiratory problems such as coughing dogs, dogs with brachycephalic airway syndrome or collapsing trachea or cats with allergic bronchitis. The oil or fragrance may be an airway irritant and make their symptoms worse.

Cats metabolise drugs and toxins using different pathways from people and dogs. They have trouble metabolising and eliminating some toxins. This makes our feline companions susceptible to toxicity from medications, chemicals and essential oils. Cats are more susceptible than dogs to airway irritation. If using oils near cats, avoid tea tree, citrus, cinnamon, clove, birch, oil of wintergreen, pennyroyal, peppermint, eucalyptus oil and ylang ylang.

Birds are extremely susceptible to aerosol irritation. If you have birds in the house, use oils in a water diffuser only in a room well away from the bird, and make sure the bird is in a well-ventilated area.

When using essential oils topically, they should be diluted with a carrier oil such as almond or fractionated coconut oil. As a rule of thumb, for small dogs under 10kg use 1 drop in 10ml of carrier oil. For medium-sized dogs use 2–3 drops in 10ml of carrier. And for large dogs over 30kg, use 6 drops in 10ml of carrier. However, it’s always wise to begin with a lower concentration.

Do not apply essential oils anywhere near mucus membranes, that is the mouth, nose, eyes and genital/anal area. It might be worth patch-testing first, such as on the hairless area inside your pet’s thigh.

Some specific essential oils

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of my favourite oils at home, but I will not use it near my pets or in my vet practice. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. There is varying information on safe concentrations for pets. Some say topical treatments of 0.1–1 per cent can be used; others say that products of up to 10 per cent tea tree oils in creams or shampoos are safe. My advice is never to use this for cats and perhaps avoid it for very small dogs. Low concentrations may be safe for larger breeds of dogs.

Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is used for its calming effect and may be useful for separation anxiety in pets, or for helping them cope with change. It may also be used to reduce skin inflammation. Add lavender, German chamomile and frankincense to
a carrier oil for topical use in dogs, for easing itchy skin and anxiety. Lavender is helpful for insomnia. Add one or two drops to your car’s air vent to help prevent motion sickness or to prevent anxiety in dogs.

Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is cooling and energising. It is distilled from the Mentha piperita peppermint plant. It may soothe acutely sore muscles, and soothes irritated intestines and cramping. Add one drop to 5ml carrier and rub on your hands, then with a light touch apply
a small amount on either side of your dog’s spine.

Essential oils add yet another tool to our ever-growing integrative toolbox. However, incorrect use may cause side effects, severe adverse reactions or even death — so do your research and consult with
a vet trained in their use.