The Fall-Inspired Essential Oil You Should Avoid Using If You Have Pets

You know fall is around the corner even before the weather cools down. Pumpkin coffee, autumn decor, and sweet and spicy aromas are just a few wonderful signs of the season. If you have pets, there's one fall-like scent you should steer clear of for their safety — cinnamon. It's a fragrance that makes you want to throw on a sweater and eat slow-cooked dishes. But cinnamon essential oil is an unexpected danger for cats and dogs, one that can cause serious medical issues. The oil is toxic to them, whether you put it in a diffuser or they accidentally get a taste of it from a spilled bottle.

Cinnamon can be used to deter pests around the house and garden, but when it comes to dogs and cats, the spice itself isn't poisonous if they ingest it. A dog's makeup is more tolerant to cinnamon than a cat's, and it's said that dogs can consume it in small amounts. However, too much cinnamon for dogs can lead to stomach reactions, reduced blood sugar, and heart rate changes. And it can cause digestive and allergy problems for cats. But cinnamon essential oil is where the biggest issues lie, as it's a concentrated form that can be fatal to pets.

Many people turn to essential oils to take advantage of their health benefits and invigorating scents. They are often used in candles, in DIY cleaning products, and as natural alternatives for repelling mosquitos. Despite being natural, dogs and cats should never be exposed to cinnamon oil, as it's toxic to them. Inhaling droplets from a diffuser, ingesting it, or applying it topically on them could all lead to serious side effects like irritated skin, liver damage, respiratory issues, and sometimes death. It's advised to keep dangerous oils out of areas where they might come in contact with them.

Another fall-like essential oil to avoid if you have pets is pumpkin spice. While it's a classic fragrance of the season, pumpkin spice oil is a blend that contains both cinnamon and nutmeg, which is another toxic ingredient for cats and dogs. Other essential oils that can be poisonous to pets are peppermint, tea tree, pennyroyal, and citrus. If you think your four-legged friend has eaten or been exposed to dangerous essential oils, especially if they have symptoms, bring them to the vet for immediate care.

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn in other ways than these essential oils. There is some research (mostly funded by companies that sell these products) that says certain essential oil scents, such as vanilla, are non-toxic to animals or can even be used to help improve pets' health. However, if you want to enjoy the spicy odor of cinnamon oil, make sure you do so outside your home. Your pets will thank you for it.