Scent diffusers are widely used in homes with children and pets, and for most households, sensible placement and ventilation is all that’s needed. That said, there are a few things worth knowing before you start.
General precautions
- Placement: keep diffusers out of reach of small children and curious pets, the same way you would any small electrical device or bottle of liquid.
- Ventilation: run diffusers in a room with reasonable airflow rather than a small, sealed space, especially overnight.
- Intensity: start on a lower intensity setting in a room where a baby, young child or pet spends a lot of time, and see how the space feels before increasing it.
A specific note on cats
Cats process certain fragrance and essential oil compounds differently from humans and dogs, because they lack some of the liver enzymes needed to break them down efficiently. This is well-documented veterinary guidance, not specific to any one brand of diffuser. If you share your home with a cat, it’s worth giving it the option to leave the room when a diffuser is running, and watching for any signs of discomfort (excessive drooling, vomiting, or lethargy), which would warrant turning the diffuser off and consulting a vet.
Quick answers
Are diffusers safe for dogs?
Dogs are generally far less sensitive to diffused fragrance than cats. As with any pet, give them the option to move to another room, and avoid pointing a diffuser directly at a pet bed.
Can I run a diffuser in a baby’s room?
Many parents do, typically at a low intensity setting with good ventilation. If you’re ever unsure about a specific health condition or sensitivity, it’s best to check with a paediatrician first, the same way you would with any home fragrance product.
Should I turn the diffuser off at night?
This comes down to personal preference and room ventilation. Airmate’s diffusers include adjustable intensity and timer settings on several models, which many customers use to run a lighter setting overnight rather than full intensity.
See intensity and timer features for each model on the Diffuser Machines page.
