Essential vs. Fragrance Oils: How to Protect Your Pets?

Home fragrances are a beloved way to add warmth and personality to our spaces, but for pet owners, they can come with hidden risks. Many people assume that if a product is “natural,” it must be safe – or that switching from essential oils to synthetic fragrance oils will protect their furry (or feathered) friends. In reality, both essential oils and fragrance oils can pose serious hazards to pets, even when used in passive or active diffusion.

Essential oils: Not always “natural” and not always safe

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts prized for their aromatic and therapeutic qualities. While they’re natural in origin, they are highly potent. Pets, especially cats and birds, are extremely sensitive to many of the compounds in essential oils.

Common essential oils that are harmful to pets include:

• Tea Tree (Melaleuca): Can cause weakness, tremors, liver failure, and even collapse in cats and dogs.
• Pennyroyal: Highly toxic to the liver and can be fatal to dogs and cats.
• Wintergreen & Sweet Birch: Contain methyl salicylate, which is like liquid aspirin; toxic to cats and dogs.
• Citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime): Can cause drooling, tremors, and liver damage, especially in cats.
• Pine oils: Cause respiratory and liver issues, particularly in cats.
• Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Clove, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint: All can cause severe respiratory, neurological, and liver problems in pets.

These oils can enter your pet’s system through inhalation, skin contact, or grooming after oils settle on fur or feathers. Cats, in particular, lack certain liver enzymes that help metabolize these compounds, making them especially vulnerable. Birds have extremely efficient respiratory systems, meaning even tiny amounts in the air can cause life-threatening distress.

Fragrance oils: A safer alternative? Not quite.

Fragrance oils (sometimes called synthetic or “perfume” oils) are lab-created to mimic natural scents or create new ones. While they may not contain the same plant-based compounds as essential oils, they often contain complex chemical blends that can still harm pets.

Common harmful compounds in fragrance oils include:

• Phthalates: Used to stabilize scents but can disrupt hormones in animals and humans.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene can cause respiratory irritation, liver and kidney damage, or even cancer in long-term exposure.
• Synthetic musks and other aldehydes: Can irritate mucous membranes and cause allergic reactions.

Birds and small mammals are particularly at risk from VOCs, as they have faster respiratory rates and more sensitive lungs. Cats and dogs can also develop chronic respiratory issues or liver damage over time.

Debunking the myth: Are fragrance oils safer than essential oils?

A common myth is that fragrance oils are a “safe” alternative to essential oils for homes with pets. In reality, they simply present different risks. While fragrance oils lack the concentrated natural compounds (like phenols or terpenes) that make essential oils dangerous, they often include synthetic chemicals that can be equally or even more harmful.

Ultimately, whether an oil is natural or synthetic, both can lead to toxic reactions in pets when diffused in the air, used on surfaces, or released from candles and sprays. Read about what you need to know before diffusing scented products with essential oils.

What’s actually safe?

No diffused oil – essential or synthetic – is fully safe for pets, especially cats and birds. If you must use fragrance in your home, choose unscented or pet-specific products, ensure excellent ventilation, and always allow your pet to leave the room freely. If you’re looking for alternatives to control pet odours safely, check out our guide on Essential Oils for Pet Odour Control. Watch for signs of distress like sneezing, coughing, drooling, hiding, or lethargy, and consult a veterinarian if you notice any changes. Read more about safer ways of using essential oils around your pets.

Final thoughts

When it comes to our beloved pets, the safest choice is to minimize or avoid diffusing oils altogether. A cosy, fragrant home is wonderful, but nothing is more comforting than knowing your animals are safe and healthy.

Rita Sniolyte

See Full Bio