Remember that essential oils are unsafe for cats (can be lethal). Floral waters are best suited to them.
There are many literature on unsafe essential oils but only a little on those unsafe for animals. One rule applies to all though is that if it is unsafe for humans, it is unsafe for animals as well.
It is important to know which essential oils you can use on your dog or horse and to remember that what might suit one, might not be suited for another one.
I have compiled a list and you might find different oils mentioned in various books. This list refers to the main essential oils and is from “Advanced Aromatherapy” by Kurt Schnaubelt and other various sources
Toxicity of essential oils
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Rue | Ruta graveolens | Poisonous, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Santolina | Santolina chamaecyparisius | Not advisable to use, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Mugwort | Artemisia herba alba | Poisonous, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Thuja | Thuja occidentalis | In small doses only and exclusively externally, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Wormwood | Artemisia absinthum | Do not use, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | Use externally only with extreme caution, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Pennyroyal | Mentha pulegium | Poisonous in large dose and definitely not for animals, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Crested Lavender | Lavendula stoechas | Do not confuse with other types of Lavender. not suitable for children and animals, abortive and neurotoxic |
| Sage | Salva officinalis | Dangerous for children and animals |
| Spike Lavender | Lavendula latifolia | Has high levels of camphor and is best suited when mixed with benign oils |
| Camphor | Cinnamon camphora | High levels of camphor. Neurotoxic and induces abortion. White Camphor is relatively safe but should be used in minute amounts |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Caution with children and animals. Blue Yarrow is safe |
| Rosemary | Rosemarinus officicinalis | Non toxic in small doses. Use Rosemary Verbenone instead and preferably externally or in very small doses internally |
| Peppermint | Mentha piperita | Non toxic in small doses. Caution with children |
| Eucalyptus polybractea | Eucalyptus polybractea | Must be mixed with other oils |
| Eucalyptus dives | Eucalyptus dives | Must be mixed with other oils |
| Atlas Cedarwood | Cedrus atlantica | External use only. Non toxic |
| Savory | Satureja spec. | Not for external use |
| Oregano | Oreganum vulgaris, O. compactum | Hihgly irritant. Best when not used externally. |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Hihgly irritant. Best when not used externally. |
| Clove leaf oil | Syzygium aromaticum | Hihgly irritant. Best when not used externally. |
| Juniper | Juniperus communis | Kidney tissue damages. Juniperberriy oil is safe in moderation though. |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum | Highly irritant. The oil from the leaves is less aggressive |
| Cassia | Cinnamomum cassia | Highly irritant |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Moderately toxic. Possible carcinogen. French Basil is known to be less toxic |
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The following oils must never be used with animals (and humans!): Bitter almond, Boldo, Calamus, Camphor (yellow and brown), Goosefoot, Horseradish, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Sassafras, Tansy (the Blue one is fine), Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormwood Other exotic oils which have not been scientifically proven safe must not be used either. |
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Photosensitizing oils that must be used with caution if the animal is exposed to the sun after application: Angelica, Celery, Parsley, Tarragon, Tagetes, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Mandarin, Bergamot. |
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Known Contraindications
The following table lists contraindications according to Dr. Jean Claude Lepraz as per Kurt Schnaubelt in his “Advanced Aromatherapy” book and from various other resources.
| Condition | Do not use |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Clove |
| Asthma | yarrow, marjoram, oregano, rosemary |
| Cancer | cypress, angelica, sage, fennel, anise, caraway, thyme, basil, chamomile, clary sage, coriander, geranium, pine |
| Epilepsy | hyssop, sage, fennel, parsley, nutmeg, anise, rosemary, eucalyptus, basil |
| Glaucoma | thyme, hyssop, cypress, tarragon |
| Hemorrhaging | lavender in combination with an anticoagulant |
| High blood pressure | lemon, hyssop, balsam de peru, basil, white birch, caraway, cardamon, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, lemongrass, palmarosa, black pepper, peppermint, pine, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme |
| Low blood pressure | clary sage, cypress, lavender, marjoram, ylang ylang |
| Pregnancy | Pretty much all essential oils, especially within the first 3 months. It is best to not use any during the entire gestation |
| Urinary track infection | juniper, eucalyptus |
Is a few drops of coriander oil mixed with camelina oil safe to put in horses grain,
Hi Evi, yes, both oils are safe to horses. If you are using camelina oil for omega 3 supplement, please note that flax oil has a better ratio and content of omega 3. And you shouldn’t use coriander if your horse has cancer. I hope it helps
What oils are good for sprains, aside from birch and peppermint? (I will use spearmint or maybe something a little less strong.) I know how it can be an irritant, but horses LOVE mints! Mine love them and on will chase u for it! Still doing research. Appreciate your help! Thanks! -Jazz
Hi Jazz, there are few you can use. The main ones are arnica of course, wintergreen, yarrow, St John’s Wort (Hypericum) as a carrier oil, clove, lavender and German Chamomile etc. Spearmint and other mints are fine too. Just make sure you dilute them with a carrier oil to avoid burning of the skin, especially if you use clove oil. You can also use them in combination with clay. French green clay is very good for sprains. Again, if adding the EO to clay, only a drop of each will suffice or it will burn them. Never use hot water with clay, always cold. I hope this helps.
I recently read about a equine liniment that uses 20 drops of wintergreen, 10 drops of peppermint, 10 drops of juniper, 5 drops of ginger, 2 drops of jasmine, 1/2 to 1 cup of epson salts, and a bucket of water. Is this safe to use on my horse after a workout? Thanks!
Hi Kelly, yes it would be safe.
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What is this for…?
Hi Ella, I am assuming camelina oil is for omega 3 and coriander is usually used for the liver and tummy.