Frankincense was a very popular product for the younger set in the sixties, seventies and eighties. (I know, because I was younger then!) Even today, incense is not uncommon among many who consider it a good way to cover up unwanted odors or create a certain atmosphere.
Over the past decade, using essential oil diffusers has been one of the most popular ways to create a pleasant fragrance in a household. Some use a cold mist of water to disperse the oil (and scent). Others use heat to warm the oil and smell the air.
Essential oils are “natural” and for this reason many people think they are safe. Keep this in mind: poison ivy urushiol oil is natural too, but you don’t want to put it on your skin or put it in your diffuser. Of course doesn’t always mean safe.
Essential oils not only create a nice fragrance, but are also often used as ingredients in ointments, massage oils and other therapeutic substances. And they can be very effective.
However, if you have a pet or pets in your household, you need to be aware of the potential dangers that can arise from the use of things like essential oils or frankincense, as you can cause significant harm to your furry or feathered family members without doing so. Holistic health also applies to animals.
First incense. If you have a bird in the house, I really advise against using incense. Birds are particularly prone to lung disease, and even something as innocent as burning incense in the same room as a bird can cause breathing difficulties or a potentially fatal illness. In fact, birds are so sensitive that you should never use aerosol air fresheners or scented candles around them.
Frankincense can also be harsh on dogs and cats, but especially on cats. The cat’s respiratory systems are very sensitive, and especially if the cat has had breathing problems in the past, you should be very careful. Best advice: NEVER burn incense around cats. Period.
Dogs can also be sensitive to incense and other scented products such as candles or air fresheners. This is especially true for dogs like Shih Tzus, Pugs, Pekingese, Bulldogs, and other dogs that have the appearance of an “inserted face”. If your dog or cat starts sneezing, drooling, having watery eyes, a runny nose, or similar symptoms when using a scented product, this is a good indication that it is irritating to the airways.
Now for essential oils. And they’re great … in the right place and for the right purpose. But many essential oils are dangerously toxic to dogs and / or cats, and when dispersed in a mist diffuser they are in the air, although we may not see the tiny droplets. These are deposited on surfaces that the animals can lie or walk on and later lick off their fur or feet. In addition, cats can absorb the oils from these droplets through their skin.
There are some oils for cats that are absolutely essential to avoid if you want to keep your favorite cat healthy. Here are a few of them: wintergreen, peppermint, ylang ylang, clove, tea tree, and eucalyptus.
Dogs can also react badly to some essential oils. Here is a non-exhaustive list (and note that some are the same as cats): ylang ylang, peppermint, clove, citrus, and aniseed. I really don’t have room here for a full list of essential oils dangerous to cats and dogs, but if you contact me I’ll be happy to send you more information.
The symptoms of exposure to toxic essential oils are varied, but very similar to those you might see if the animal has been poisoned. This could be unusual drooling, breathing problems, difficulty walking, tiredness, vomiting, paws in the face or mouth, or muscle tremors.
Birds can also get sick from exposure to some of the same essential oils from a diffuser. You can absorb the droplets through the skin on your feet. Note: The effects of tea tree oil can lead to paralysis and / or death in birds!
And what about aquarium and terrarium animals? Aquarium water can be contaminated by essential oils in diffusers, and this can cause problems for your friends. Reptiles like snakes, lizards, and turtles shouldn’t be in the same room as an essential oil diffuser as some oils can be deadly to them. This also applies to many aerosol air fresheners.
As with your pet’s exposure to new substances, it is always best to consult your veterinarian for advice on how to proceed. You should be up to date on such things.
Anthony Burton, Ph.D., owns and operates Spectrum Holistic, is a Reiki Master, EFT practitioner, and certified meditation teacher. Further information can be found at www.spectrum-holistic.com.
