Essential Oils for Pets: How to Use Them Safely
This article–written by Sandra Murphy–appeared in the February 2019 issue of Natural Awakenings/Bucks & Montgomery Counties Edition.
The health and safety of your pets should be carefully considered when using essential oils around your home. What may be safe for humans is not always safe for animals. Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than dogs, especially cats with health factors such as allergic sensitivities, feline asthma and liver disease.
Do not treat your pets using essential oils without consulting a veterinarian experienced with using essential oils. There are several essential oils that can be toxic to pets and are not recommended for use on or near them.
Some essential oils can be beneficial but should never be used undiluted. Use of an ultrasonic diffuser (oil diluted with water) is an acceptable delivery method when used as recommended. Always know which essential oils are being used–list of ingredients if a blend, how much was used, and type of exposure–when calling the Poison Control Hotline or emergency vet care.
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