Diffusers pose risk

By Lynwood Vets

Scent diffusers in the home have become very popular over the last few years – but these can pose a risk to pets, and many owners may not be aware of this.

Reed diffusers pose the most significant risk for acute toxic exposures. If these oils are ingested, they can cause significant burns to the inside of a pet’s mouth as well as to the lining of their oesophagus and stomach. This may particularly apply to cats, as they are more inclined to knock reed diffusers over due to curiosity, often leading to oil on their coats, which they then groom to remove.

Steam or puff diffusers are less of a risk for acute exposures, but possibly pose more of a risk on a long-term basis. This is because very small droplets of the scent oils are expelled with the steam/ puffs. These may land on pets passing through the room or on surfaces throughout the room, and can then be picked up by pets walking on these surfaces. Cats, again, may be at more risk of ingestion here, as they groom their coats using their tongue, resulting in ingestion of these small droplets.

Diffusers using pure essential oils are far more dangerous than shop-bought scents – these tend to be more dilute and synthetic, rather than true oils. If you’re concerned your pet may have ingested such oils please contact your vet straight away.