Essential oils are getting more and more popular as a means of treating certain medical issues and relieving anxiety. These strong oils have long been used in aromatherapy and are occasionally seen as natural alternatives to conventional medicine. People are also utilizing them more and more in their houses for a range of purposes; however, is it safe to expose the birds you love to these oils? It all depends on the oils they use, the way you use them, and, above all, what your veterinarian has to say. The simple answer is probably not likely yes or no.
Are Your Birds Safe to Use Essential Oils?
Are Your Birds Safe to Use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are derived from highly concentrated plant materials and are thought to offer numerous health and wellness advantages for people. Some holistic vets are now using essential oils in their practices. Essential oils have recently been used to cure many ailments in animals, but not enough study has been done to say whether or not these oils are actually beneficial to humans or our pets.
For this reason, safety measures should always be followed, whether you live alongside a dog, cat, or bird. It is very important to always seek advice from a veterinarian when dealing with birds, as any use of essential oils near your feathered companions should be done with caution.
Essential Oils' Hazards to Birds
Since many essential oils are volatile substances, they may be hazardous to birds in certain amounts. This is because what is safe for people may not be suitable for your pets, particularly if the oils are kept at their original concentration of 100%. It's difficult to totally remove any risks to the birds or other pets because many essential oil users depend on diffusers or warmers to let the oils in the air within their houses. Owners of birds should always exercise extra caution when handling essential oils because birds can be very sensitive animals. The majority of veterinarians advise against employing aerosolized essential oils in or near birds because there is insufficient research and data supporting their safety, especially when utilizing diffusers and warmers. Additionally, the potential harm that these oils could do to birds is considerable.
You don't have to entirely prevent essential oils from entering your home if you use them cautiously and appropriately—that is, if you make sure to dilute them, avoid getting them directly into the bird's eyes, and obtain explicit instructions from your veterinarian. Anyone who owns a bird knows that taking care of these pets can occasionally be a stinky business. Essential oils appear to offer an alternative to commercial chemical cleaners in synthetic fragrances; consequently, some bird owners might even think about using them for the purposes of cage cleaning or air freshening. It is imperative that you thoroughly rinse anything you clean using essential oils to make sure your bird cannot inadvertently eat it and get the oil through its feathers.
Although some people use essential oils internally for their therapeutic benefits, adding the oils to the bird's water is usually not a smart idea. Your pet could be harmed (or even poisoned) if the oils don't blend well and stay overly concentrated.
Comparably, although you may use essential oils on your own skin, you shouldn't ever apply essential oils to a live bird unless a veterinarian specifically directs you to do so (which is probably never). Adding essential oils to the bird's feathers will make them heavier and probably make your pet anxious.
How to Give Your Bird Essential Oils in a Safe Way
Essential oils shouldn't ever be given to your bird without first seeing a vet. Please discuss the safe ways to accomplish this with your bird with an avian healthcare specialist if you're interested in doing it.
Related Post: