Household pets

Diffusing indoors does not only affect the people in the room.

Cats

Cats are markedly deficient in glucuronyl transferase, a liver enzyme that people and dogs use to break down and eliminate many compounds, including phenols and some terpenes.

This means these substances stay in a cat's body much longer than in a person's. The oils of most concern are those rich in phenols, such as clove, cinnamon leaf and thyme, and those rich in monoterpenes, such as pine and citrus.

Tea tree has more reported cases in cats than any other oil, and it deserves a mention of its own for an ironic reason: tea tree has a reputation for being gentle, so people use it more freely than other oils. Peppermint and wintergreen are also among those most often mentioned in the veterinary literature.

This is where the word "natural" does the most harm: it makes cat owners believe the risk is lower than it is.

The rule: never apply oil to a cat, under any circumstances, and if you diffuse, the cat must be out of the room and have a way out.

Cats also groom themselves, so anything that settles on their fur ends up in their digestive tract.

Birds

A bird's respiratory system is far more efficient and sensitive than a mammal's. Do not diffuse in a room with birds.

Dogs

Dogs process these substances better than cats, but their sense of smell is tens of thousands of times more sensitive than ours. A level that is pleasant to you can be overwhelming for a dog.

If you diffuse, leave the door open and let the dog choose whether to stay or leave. An animal that leaves the room is telling you something.

Signs to stop immediately

Drooling, vomiting, trembling, unsteady walking, difficulty breathing, or unusual lethargy after exposure.

Stop diffusing, air the room, take the animal into fresh air, and contact a vet. Take the bottle so they know what the substance was.

This page does not replace a vet. We sell raw materials; we do not treat animals.