Aromatherapy Safety Guide: Using Essential Oils and Incense Around Pets and Children

Aromatherapy can bring enormous benefits to your home — but it’s important to use it safely, especially if you share your space with children or pets. This guide gives you the information you need to enjoy essential oils and incense responsibly.

Why Safety Matters with Aromatherapy

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts — far more potent than the plants they come from. What is safe and beneficial for a healthy adult can be harmful to young children, infants, and animals, whose bodies process these compounds very differently. Incense smoke, while generally safe in well-ventilated spaces for adults, also warrants care around vulnerable household members.

This isn’t a reason to avoid aromatherapy — it’s simply a reason to use it thoughtfully.

Essential Oils and Children

General guidelines:

• Essential oils should never be applied undiluted to a child’s skin.
• Many oils that are safe for adults are not recommended for children under 2 years old — including eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary, which can affect breathing in very young children.
• For children aged 2–10, use a much lower dilution than for adults: around 0.5–1% (2–4 drops per 30 ml of carrier oil).
• Always keep essential oil bottles out of reach of children — ingestion can be dangerous.
• Avoid diffusing strong oils in rooms where infants sleep.

Safer oils for use around children (aged 2+):

• Lavender — gentle and calming, widely considered one of the safest oils for children
• Roman chamomile — soothing and mild
• Mandarin — light, sweet, and uplifting
• Frankincense — grounding and gentle

Oils to avoid around young children:

• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) — can cause breathing difficulties in under-10s
• Peppermint — not recommended for children under 6
• Rosemary — avoid under 4 years
• Clove, cinnamon, and oregano — highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes

Always consult your GP or a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils around infants or children with health conditions.

Essential Oils and Pets

Pets are significantly more sensitive to essential oils than humans. Their sense of smell is far more acute, and their livers metabolise compounds differently — meaning oils that are harmless to us can be toxic to them.

Cats are particularly vulnerable. They lack a key liver enzyme needed to process many aromatic compounds, making them unable to safely metabolise a wide range of essential oils. Oils to keep well away from cats include:

• Tea tree (melaleuca) — highly toxic to cats even in small amounts
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Lavender (in concentrated form)
• Citrus oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
• Clove, cinnamon, thyme, oregano

Dogs are more resilient than cats but still sensitive. Avoid using the following around dogs:

• Tea tree oil
• Pennyroyal
• Pine and juniper oils
• Ylang ylang in high concentrations
• Clove and cinnamon

Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and should never be in a room where essential oils are being diffused or incense is burning.

Small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters) are also highly sensitive — keep them away from any diffused oils or incense smoke.

Safe practices around pets:

• Never apply essential oils directly to your pet’s skin or fur.
• Never add essential oils to your pet’s water or food.
• If diffusing, always ensure your pet can leave the room freely — never trap them in a space with a running diffuser.
• Diffuse in short sessions (30–60 minutes) with good ventilation.
• If your pet shows signs of distress — excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, difficulty breathing — remove them from the area immediately and contact your vet.

Incense and Smoke Safety

Incense smoke, like any smoke, contains particulates that can irritate the respiratory system with prolonged exposure. Here’s how to use incense safely in a family home:

• Always burn incense in a well-ventilated room — open a window to allow fresh air circulation.
• Keep burning incense out of reach of children and away from pets.
• Never leave burning incense unattended, especially with children or animals in the home.
• Limit sessions to 30–60 minutes rather than burning continuously throughout the day.
• If anyone in your household has asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions, consult their doctor before using incense regularly.
• Birds should never be in a room where incense is burning.

A Note on Responsible Enjoyment

None of this should put you off aromatherapy — millions of families enjoy it safely every day. The key is awareness and a few simple precautions. Choose quality products, use them as directed, ensure good ventilation, and always give your pets and children the option to move away from any fragrance.

If you have specific concerns about a product or ingredient, our team at Vivid Aromas is always happy to help. And when in doubt, consult a qualified aromatherapist or your GP.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.