Keeping Our Pets Safe From Diffusing Essential Oils

Ziggy

A Heartbreaking Lesson: How Essential Oils Stole Our Beloved Boy

It’s with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share this deeply personal story, one that still brings tears to my eyes years later. I’m writing this not just as a tribute to our beloved Ziggy, but as a warning—an urgent message for pet owners everywhere. I never imagined that something as common and seemingly harmless as essential oil diffusers could have such devastating consequences. But it did. It stole Ziggy from us.

The Dog Who Stole Our Hearts

Ziggy came into our lives like a quiet blessing, unexpected but deeply cherished. He was a big, handsome Italian Greyhound—an elegant and soulful creature who, despite a troubled past, carried himself with quiet dignity. We first crossed paths with him in Owego, NY. His previous owner was making cozy dog beds, and Ziggy happened to be there that day. It felt like a casual encounter, but something about him stuck with us.

Later, we learned that he came from the same puppy mill as two of our other Italian Greyhounds, Radar and Jhett. It felt like fate. Not long after, a post on an Italian Greyhound rescue page caught our attention. Ziggy’s situation had become dire. He had been labeled “aggressive,” misunderstood by his owners, and they were considering euthanasia. My husband and I didn’t hesitate for long. Our hearts knew what to do.

We brought him home.

A Gentle Giant with a Soulful Heart

From the moment Ziggy joined our family, he seemed to know he was finally safe. He fit seamlessly into our pack as if he’d always belonged. Occasionally, he showed flashes of food protectiveness when things got crowded, but it was manageable, and we understood his past had shaped his behavior.

Ziggy was everything we never knew we needed. He was loyal, gentle, and unbelievably affectionate. Despite his size, he was a classic lap dog. He always wanted to be close, preferably touching someone—anyone. He would nestle in and sigh as if he had finally found the peace he had been searching for his entire life.

Everyone who met him loved him. His calming presence and quiet nature made an impression. He wasn’t flashy or loud—he was steady, loving, and devoted. We cherished every moment with him.

The Nightmare Begins

Then, about four years ago, our world started to unravel.

It began subtly—just moments of confusion or clumsiness. But soon, the symptoms escalated: disorientation, severe loss of balance, and worst of all, grand mal seizures. It was horrifying. Watching Ziggy and Jhett both go through these terrifying episodes was something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

We rushed them to the vet, hearts pounding with fear, desperate for answers. That’s when we learned something that stunned us: essential oils—those little bottles we had used to make our home feel calm, clean, and welcoming—were toxic to our dogs. The diffusers we had so innocently used were silently poisoning them.

The Hidden Dangers of Essential Oils

Essential oils have become wildly popular in recent years. They’re marketed as natural, healing, holistic. And for humans, they might be. But for pets, especially cats and dogs, the story is very different.

Certain essential oils contain compounds that are extremely toxic to animals. The danger lies not only in ingestion but also in inhalation and skin absorption—particularly when used in diffusers that disperse particles into the air over long periods.

Some of the most dangerous essential oils for dogs include:

• Tea tree (melaleuca)

• Pennyroyal

• Pine

• Wintergreen

• Eucalyptus

• Cinnamon

• Clove

• Citrus oils (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit)

Cats, with their unique liver metabolism, are even more susceptible. What’s safe for us is not always safe for them—or for our dogs. And often, we don’t find out until it’s too late.

The Final Days

Jhett, thankfully, responded to treatment and was able to return home. We watched him like a hawk, adjusting everything in our environment to protect him. But Ziggy… Ziggy didn’t recover.

After a terrifying seizure in the car on the way home from the vet, we turned around and admitted him again. We waited anxiously for news. We hoped. We prayed. But by the next morning, the veterinary staff found Ziggy in another prolonged seizure. There was no improvement. No relief. Only suffering.

We had to make the most heartbreaking decision a pet parent can ever make—to let him go.

I still remember the weight of him in my arms, his warmth, his smell, the way his head nestled into me one last time. We told him how much we loved him. We thanked him for everything. And then, with unimaginable sorrow, we said goodbye.

Living with Loss

The silence he left behind was deafening. His absence echoed through every corner of our home, a constant reminder of his loving spirit and our devastating mistake. We had only wanted a peaceful, fragrant home. We didn’t know. But now we do.

Ziggy was more than a pet. He was family. He was comfort. He was love. And losing him this way has left a scar that will never fully heal.

Why I’m Sharing This

I share this story with you not for sympathy but for awareness. I hope Ziggy’s story can save another dog, another cat, another beloved family member.

Please, if you use essential oils in your home, take a moment to educate yourself. Research thoroughly. Read the labels. Consult your veterinarian. Avoid using diffusers in areas where your pets spend time. And remember: just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Even passive exposure—like walking through a room with diffused oils—can be dangerous for some pets. Symptoms of poisoning can include vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, ataxia (loss of coordination), and seizures. Don’t wait for these signs to appear. Be proactive.

A Tribute to Ziggy

Ziggy’s time with us was far too short, but he left an enormous impact. His trust, his tenderness, and his gentle soul remain with us. We will love and miss him always.

He taught us so much—about resilience, about compassion, and, heartbreakingly, about the responsibility we have to truly know what we bring into our pets’ environment.

Ziggy, our beautiful boy, you mattered. Your life mattered. And your story will be told as often as it needs to be, so others can be spared this pain.

In Memory

Godspeed, my sweet boy. Run free, where no oils can hurt you, no seizures can shake you, and no pain can follow. We will carry you with us always—your memory woven into every quiet moment, every sunny nap, every peaceful breath.

We love you forever.

Ziggy