Are Essential Oils Safe To Use Around Cats?
Experts suggest that essential oils can positively affect cats, including repelling fleas, improving mood, promoting healthy skin, and relieving stress. Nevertheless, it's important to note that most essential oils are unsafe for cats. Some essential oils can be toxic or harmful.
When using essential oils around cats, it's important to dilute them properly and use them in very small quantities. Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than humans, so keeping them away from their eyes and nose is important. Additionally, cats should never ingest essential oils, which can cause serious health problems. It's also important to avoid using essential oils on pregnant or nursing cats and cats with any pre-existing health conditions. If you're unsure whether an essential oil is safe for your cat, it's always best to avoid caution and consult a veterinarian before use.
Certain essential oils, such as tea tree/Melaleuca, birch, cypress, jasmine, lavender, fir, juniper, eucalyptus, citrus oils, bergamot, wintergreen, peppermint, sage, dill, nutmeg, rosemary, oregano, basil, cinnamon, clove thyme, parsley, citronella, ylang ylang, pennyroyal, and pine oil, can be toxic to cats. These oils contain compounds called phenols, ketones, and terpenes that cats may not metabolize, leading to adverse effects ranging from mild symptoms like drooling and vomiting to more severe issues such as difficulty breathing, hypothermia, lethargy, ataxia, behavior changes, and organ failure.
Never apply essential oils directly to your cat's fur, orally, or on their collar unless directed by a veterinarian. Cats groom themselves frequently, and ingesting essential oils, even in small amounts, can lead to toxicity.
Common essential oils in detail that are considered safe for cats are:
Cedarwood oil can help repel fleas and ticks and improve skin and coat health. It also has a calming effect on cats and can reduce anxiety and stress.
Rosemary oil can also help repel fleas and ticks and stimulate blood circulation and hair growth. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can prevent infections and inflammation.
Copaiba oil can help reduce pain and inflammation, support the immune and respiratory systems, soothe cats, and promote relaxation and sleep.
Helichrysum oil can help heal wounds and scars and protect the skin from sun damage and aging. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to prevent and treat allergies and infections.
Frankincense can help boost the immune system and the nervous system, as well as support the digestive and urinary systems. It also has a calming effect on cats and can reduce stress and anxiety.
These oils should be diluted with carrier oil, such as coconut or olive, before applying to your cat. The recommended dilution ratio is one drop of essential oil to 10 drops of carrier oil. You can also diffuse these oils in a room with good ventilation, but make sure your cat has the option to leave the room if they don't like the smell.
However, just because certain plants, like basil, are safe for cats, it doesn't mean the essential oils derived from them are safe. We must be mindful of essential oil safety concerning EACH specific oil. Many plants in their natural, whole form have relatively low concentrations of phenols and other compounds that can cause toxicity effects.
Essential oils contain much higher percentages of potentially harmful toxins. Additionally, different essential oil manufacturers include different concentrations of the various components of the plant's oils.
A special warning about tea tree oil and dogs in the home (as it pertains to cats)
Tea tree is never safe for cats because the liver metabolizes the toxin in tea tree oil. If you have dogs in your home, speak with your veterinarian before treating them with tea tree oil, as your kitty may ingest the tea tree oil when grooming the dog.
In conclusion, it's best to research each oil you plan to use before diffusing them in an area where your cat will wander or if you're wearing them on your skin. Consider how you'll diffuse your pure essential oil, such as liquid potpourri, passive diffusers, or a reed diffuser. As a pet owner, it's important to be aware of how invasive your aromatherapy is on your cat's health.
