Essential oils are so loved and used in different forms by humans. However, there is a lot of discussion around whether essential oils are equally safe for pets, especially cats and dogs. In fact, some essential oils have a toxic effect on the animals, and even those that are considered to be safe should be used with a lot of precautions. So, the following are some safety tips for using essential oils around pets.

Pick only a few essential oils
Before coming to the safety tips and precautions, it is important for you to understand that only a few essential oils are considered safe for dogs and cats. On the other hand, a few essential oils are toxic and harmful for pets, no matter how and when you use them. For instance, avoid wintergreen, thyme, and clove oil if you have pets at home.

Emphasize on the quality of the oil
Quality is the key when it comes to essential oils. After you have ensured that you are avoiding the toxic oils, you have to make sure that the oil you are buying is a pure, therapeutic-grade oil that is free from any additives, artificial ingredients, and synthetics. Also, remember that the best quality essential oils are grown without exposure to toxins and pesticides. The better the quality of the essential oil in all respects, the safer it is for your pet.

Dilute the oil before use
Dilution is one of the top safety tips for using essential oils around pets. While humans might be perfectly fine with opening the bottle of oil and apply it directly onto the skin, animals are way more sensitive. Therefore, you can use a water diffuser in your house and pay attention to how your pet is reacting to the smell. That is also why essential oils can be used as room freshener sprays. Such uses do not directly affect your dog. However, even if the dog/cat seems to feel some irritation, make sure that he/she gets to leave the area as soon as possible.

Use a carrier oil while applying on your pet’s skin
Sometimes, you might need to apply the essential oil on your pet’s skin as the safe essential oils can be beneficial for the animals too. However, as one of the safety tips for using essential oils around pets, you must use a carrier oil like olive oil or liquid coconut oil to dilute the essential oil. The carrier oil also helps slow down the absorption of the oil into your pet’s skin.

With these safety tips for using essential oils around pets, you can rest assured that your pets do not suffer in any possible way.