Posts Tagged: Essential Oils and Pets

Essential oils have recently gained popularity in aromatherapy, with people using them as home remedies for common ailments such as nasal congestion, anxiety, sore muscles, and skin conditions. Plant oils and scents are also included in many different products for use around the home, such as cleaners, shampoo, and even toothpaste. So it begs the question – are essential oils and pets a safe combination?

Essential Oils Basics

What exactly are essential oils? Simply put, they are plant compounds that have been carefully extracted and distilled, leaving microscopic droplets that can impart the properties of the plant itself.

Essential oils are described as highly volatile, meaning they can powerfully affect our minds and bodies. They enter the body through contact with the skin, or through inhalation or ingestion.  Because they are absorbed into the bloodstream, essential oils can affect the organs rapidly. Used properly, they can have therapeutic effects.

It’s important to know that essential oils can also be toxic to our pets, without an understanding of how to use them correctly. Since the compounds they contain are biologically active, they can cause a myriad of dangerous side effects and even organ damage if used improperly.