Is Aromatherapy Safe to Use Around Pets?... Aromatherapy, Pets, and the Value of Real Experience

Tricia Ambroziak
Nov 1
3 min read

A cat sleeps under a gray blanket on a sofa, its eyes closed peacefully. The text "Sleepy Spots" is visible at the bottom. — Grey and white cat sleeping under a grey blanket

I never really thought of myself as a “cat person.”

Growing up, we had dogs. Our neighbors had dogs. I can’t even remember a single friend who had a cat.

Fast forward a few decades—now a mom with two young kids—and a woman I knew from church mentioned, “Our cat had kittens. Would you and your kids like to come see them?”

One look at those fluffy faces, wide curious eyes, and the joy lighting up my children’s faces was all it took. Their pleading voices—“Can we adopt them, Mom? Please?”—turned me into a cat person almost instantly.

Before I knew it, we were welcoming two tiny kittens, Bella and Spots, into our home. The kids were thrilled; my husband, less so—he’d worked at a veterinary clinic and had vivid memories of less-than-happy sharp clawed cats who didn’t appreciate their checkups.

I soon discovered that cats are both endlessly curious and occasionally reckless. Bella, in particular, was an explorer. Despite our best efforts, she managed to sneak outside whenever the opportunity arose. Between the cars, red-tailed hawks, and coyotes, we knew this was a terrible idea—but Bella didn’t care.

One day she disappeared for several days, and our hearts sank.

Thankfully, she returned—dehydrated, sick, and, as the X-ray later revealed, having ingested what looked like a long ribbon. After several hundred dollars in vet care and a good dose of love, we nursed her back to health.

Over the years, our cats brought us countless smiles—their silly antics, their uncanny ability to nap on freshly folded laundry, and the way they’d curl up in my lap, purring softly.

Those days came long before I became a certified aromatherapist. But if Bella and Spots were still around, I’d be very mindful about keeping my essential oils, diffusers, and blends well out of reach.

And after becoming a certified aromatherapist I certainly would not try to use aromatherapy on them.

My aromatherapy training was focused on people, not pets. And that’s an important distinction.

Here’s what I know—and what I tell others—about aromatherapy and animals:

Diffuse in well-ventilated spaces, and make sure pets can freely leave the room.
Keep oils and diffusers out of reach, especially from curious cats.
Never apply essential oils directly to your pet’s skin or fur.

Even though essential oils can benefit humans in powerful ways, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re safe—or beneficial—for our animal companions. Cats, in particular, are sensitive to many oils (tea tree being a well-known example).

And this is where expertise truly matters.

Just as you wouldn’t ask a general practitioner to perform brain surgery, not every aromatherapist—or every AI search engine—is the right resource for pet aromatherapy. True expertise comes from those who live and work with animals and plants every day.

In a world where “just Google it” or “ask ChatGPT” has become second nature, we risk losing touch with something vital: real, lived experience.

Technology can be an amazing tool—it simplifies, organizes, and informs. But it can’t replace the wisdom that comes from observation, intuition, and connection. AI can’t cuddle a cat or sense the subtle communication of a pet’s body language. It can't learn from real world experience. That’s the human realm. And it plays an important part of becoming a true expert.

One of my favorite books, Native Plants, Native Healing: Traditional Muskogee Way by Tis Mal Crow, beautifully expresses this truth—healing comes from relationship: with the earth, with the plants, with community, and with spirit.

I’m fortunate to know aromatherapists, herbalists, and animal care professionals who embody that same spirit. They’re not chasing followers or trends—they’re tending, observing, caring, and sharing real wisdom born of experience.

So, if you’re wondering whether aromatherapy is safe for your pets, here’s my best advice:Enjoy your oils, enjoy your pets—but seek guidance from those who have dedicated their lives to understanding the intersection of both.

Stop Googling. Skip the quick AI answers. Instead, turn to real people with real experience—those who know animals, plants, and life itself.

If you’re curious to learn more, here are a few excellent, trusted resources:

Enjoy your pets. Enjoy aromatherapy and herbs. And remember—wisdom lives in the hands, hearts, and experiences of those who truly walk this path.

I can certainly help you as a person with aromatherapy but I haven't yet dived into educating myself too deeply in using aromatherapy with pets.

But I do know this. Don't trust AI or google, don't trust aromatherapy enthusiasts or even certified aromatherapists trained to work with people. Seek out people, books, and courses specific to aromatherapy and animals.

I hope this post was helpful.

What are your thoughts about aromatherapy and pets?

Aromatic blessings,

Tricia