Don’t miss getting your FREE copy of Safety & Essential Oils for Pets. This PDF resource includes a dilution guide, diffusing tips, and the do’s and don’ts of using essential oils with animals. Dr. Roark gives specific safety information for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and more.
For Dogs and Cats
- Dilute for topical use.
- Know your pet’s health status.
- Do NOT use oils on or near eyes, ears, nose, or genitals of your pet.
- Use a water diffuser for aromatic use and allow your pet to roam freely with an open door to the room.
- Caution should be used around animals that are pregnant, nursing, young, or on certain medications.
- Do not use oils topically on your pet if using a topical medication or dermal patch – this includes topical flea/ tick preventatives.
- Do not give any of the products containing xylitol (toothpaste, beadlets, etc.) to your pet.
- Only use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.
- Observe your pet’s behavior.
- In the event of an adverse reaction, dilute with a carrier oil – skin irritation is the most common, and most reactions resolve within 24–48 hours after oil exposure. Discontinue use of an oil if your pet shows signs of distress, drooling, squinting, rubbing their face, vocalization, shaking, vomiting, or diarrhea.
For Horses, Cattle, and Goats
- Only use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.
- Know your horse’s health status and the medications and supplements they are currently taking.
- Do NOT use oils on or near eyes, ears, nose, or genitals of your horse.
- Use Caution with topical application of “hot” oils such as Oregano, Thyme, Clove, Cassia, and Cinnamon – dilution may be needed for these oils.
- Do NOT use water to dilute an essential oil that you’ve already applied. Rather, dilute with a carrier oil, like vegetable oil or fractionated coconut oil.
- Do not apply oils after bathing while the horse is still wet.
- Do not use essential oils at the same time as another topical medication, including dermal patches.
- Do not panic if your horse has skin irritation or an adverse reaction. Immediately dilute the area with a carrier oil – most of these resolve within a few hours with dilution.
- Do NOT apply oils to the saddle area prior to riding.
- Caution should be used around animals that are pregnant, nursing, young, or on certain medications.
- Oils to avoid during pregnancy: Arborvitae, Basil, Birch, Cassia, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Thyme, Wintergreen.
- Observe your horse’s behavior when using or applying essential oils.
- In the event of an adverse reaction, dilute with a carrier oil – skin irritation is the most common, and most reactions resolve within 24–48 hours after oil exposure.
Dilute, Dilute, Dilute
This is VERY important for dogs and small animals!!! Click here to for a Dilution Guide PDF.
Start out with your oils MORE diluted when introducing Essential Oils topically to your pet.
You can use carrier oils such as Fractionated Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Almond Oil, etc. to dilute your essential oil.
You can always increase the concentration if the desired effect is not reached, but it is difficult to remove an Essential Oil once it has already been absorbed.
Remember, each animal is an individual and your pet may be more or less sensitive than others. Observe their behavior – they will tell you!
Did I mention… Dilute!!!
Oils to Avoid
Oils to Avoid with Cats
Oils to avoid topically and internally with cats: Basil, Citrus Oils (Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine), Birch, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill, Fennel, Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, Rosemary, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.
Oils to Avoid with Dogs
Oils to avoid topically and internally with dogs: Birch, Melaleuca (Tea Tree), and Wintergreen. Use caution with hot oils such as Oregano, Cassia, Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary, and Thyme.