Pet owners (particularly cat parents) should be mindful when using essential oil diffusers, especially if the device is a so-called “active diffuser,” a veterinarian in Ohio recently warned. All in all, you should consult your vet before you try to use any essential oil with your pet dog and cat. My cats are usually satisfied with the lavender fragrance, and they have never shown any signs of … Essential Oils Safe for Cats. Essential oils can be used safely around your pets but they do metabolize oils differently so some extra precautions need to be taken. Never apply essential oils directly to cats, feed oils to cats, or leave oils in areas where they may come in direct contact with cats. The Environmental Protection Agency released findings in 1996 stating that it approved certain essential oils, including clove oil, as safe for common use as an insecticide. Avoid using the aforementioned essential oils around your pets at all costs. Learn about the dangers of essential oil poisoning and their potential toxicity to cats. Lavender essential oil is the most toxic form of lavender for your felines. So, that being said, one of the most common questions I get asked is about safety. Cats are Sensitive to Certain Essential Oils. Many oils are marketed as “organic” “natural” or even “certified pure” – but you still need to be careful of the oils you choose, as there is no oversight for essential oils. There has been quite a debate raging in recent months over the use of essential oils on cats. Find out what research says about whether essential oils are safe for dogs, cats, and other pets. I see crazy stuff on the internet and I really don't want to hurt my animal. So, are there any essential oils that we shouldn't use with animals? It is better to reapply when needed than overdose. In this article we will be talking about essential oils by Doterra, although we are doing our research on the best essential oils for cats and diffusers, and the blog post will be published soon. How about we start with the essentials oils bad for cats. Generally, you should try as much as possible to keep your cat away from oils that are rich in phenols, ketones, alpha-pinene and d-limonene. Are Essential Oils Safe for Animals? Sue Klimas "She went from weighing 9 pounds to 6 pounds. We have been inspired to write an article on essential oils for cats by Lisa Powers, who is the organiser of a course in her Facebook group. This says lemongrass oil is safe for cats at low concentrations, as long as it's not applied directly to the cat. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. It would be reasonable to assume then that essential oil benefits could work just as well for our pets. Are Essential Oils Safe For Cats? Herbs are okay. Lavender essential oil - Whether it will be safe or not for your cat, depends on the level of its sensitivity. Yet… Not all essential oils are bad to cats. A cat's liver is simply incapable of breaking down the chemicals in essential oils. Are Essential Oils Harmful to Cats? To be on the safe side, you can always talk to your veterinarian before using essential oils for animals. NOW Essential Oils/Groupon Source: NOW Essential Oils/Groupon To begin with, certain essential oils in their concentrated form (ie. It is definitely a good idea to double check with your veterinarian as well before using any oil for or around your pets. 100%) can be toxic to cats. 24/7 ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER: (855) 764 … Animals are generally more sensitive to essential oils than humans are. Sue Klimas' cat, Dinah, became sick after exposure to essential oils. Essential oils and cats are not always safe to be around together. Just in case, it is still better to keep your furry friend away from the device, apply aromatherapy when it is not present, or allow the cat to exit the room if needed. Cats are sensitive to a lot of substances that are fine for us. But as pleasant as it may be to enjoy essential oils, potpourri, and aromatherapy, some of the compounds in these fragrances can be … Because of this, probably very few essential oils are safe for cats … Because an essential oil is so concentrated, the natural enzymes in them can be anywhere from 500 to even 2000 times stronger than the original plant. Both cats and dogs are equipped with highly sensitive noses, so essential oil fragrances, whether they are safe or not, aren’t really good for them. Unless your cat has poor instincts, they will avoid herbs/plants that are harmful to them. Cats have a unique genetic make-up that gives pause to the use of aromatherapy around them. Though many veterinarians have been using various essential oils in a variety of applications on cats and other animals for many years with no adverse effects, some cat owners have voiced concerns over what is deemed “safe usa This means that it’s much easier for them to absorb essential oils in large concentrations. Treat cats like they are a newborn baby and always remember that less is more. If you’re determined to find a natural remedy for your cat’s fleas, consult with your veterinarian about using cedarwood oil. List of essential oils used in aromatherapy diffusers that may be toxic to dogs, cats and other pets. Lemongrass and Lavender oils are both natural essential oils that don’t contain as much phenol and are safe to use. “Cats are more susceptible to essential oils than some other species as they are missing a specific enzyme in their liver that helps them metabolize certain drugs, including essential oils,” says Richardson. Few essential oils which are NOT SAFE for dogs and cats are Clove, Garlic, Wintergreen, Oregano, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Cassia, Lemon, Citrus, Cinnamon, Lavender, Spruce, Birch, Eucalyptus and Pennyroyal. Safe essential oils are unadulterated, genuine, and pure. The recommended dilution for full sized cats is 1 drop of essential oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. As for cats, the essential oils that aren’t safe to use are eucalyptus, clove, lavender, spruce, cassia, lemon, birch, and more. I know, I know, there are those who will tell you they used them to do things like treat ear mites or respiratory issues, but now scientists and veterinarians are advising that they aren't so safe. Certain essential oils were once considered to be safe for cats and were recommended for such uses as treating ear mite infestations, upper respiratory problems and for stress relief. There’s nothing quite so purr-fect as coming home to a cuddly little fur baby on the couch in a nicely scented home. Cats may tolerate some essential oils and they may help cats fight some health issues. Whether you are using vinegar, baking soda, Castile soap, or another natural ingredient as a base for your cleaning solutions, you can get your homemade products smelling amazing with the right essential oils. if your cat is gnawing down on a plant, look up its safety for cats. Extreme caution should be used when infusing the air using oil-based aromatherapy diffusers, candles, etc., no matter what animal is in the room. As an avid user of essential oils myself, I wanted to share a few tips for using essential oils safely around our furry friends. Apartment Therapy explains that cats have an acute sense of smell and thin skin. Generally speaking, cats have more sensitivity to many toxins, including essential oils, than dogs do, because they have fewer metabolizing enzymes in their liver. Now, not all are harmful, and there are essential oils safe for cats, of which some can even be used in certain treatments. Essential oils can be great natural alternatives for treating a wide array of health concerns without having to resort to expensive and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals. You may have to rush for the vet most of the time. Because of this, we researched the toxicity of essential oils to cats. If your cat ends up at the vet clinic and receives treatment for essential oil toxicity, she will have to go through blood work monitoring and have intravenous fluids, pain medications, and liver protectors administered. It is, however, recommended that you use clove oil carefully and sparingly and ensure that your cat or dog is not able to ingest the oil. If you love your cat (okay cats, I have two but that doesn't make a crazy cat lady yet) you have to be super careful with essential oils around them. List of Essential Oils that are Safe for Your Cat | Avoderm Natural Warning However, compelling evidence has now demonstrated that essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. What Essential Oils Can Be Safe for Cats? Not all cedarwood oil is pet-safe, but some companies manufacture properly diluted cedarwood oil. Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA like some medications are. While some oils do have insect/pest repellant activity, the risk of serious or fatal reactions in cats with these oils is high, and very safe and effective alternatives exist. The essential oils not safe for dogs are garlic, clover, oregano, rosemary, thyme, tea tree, and wintergreen oil. Before using essential oils, you should always check out a list of those safe for diffusing around your cat. Essential oils are a must-have for anyone that is looking into homemade cleaning products or looking for a better smelling home. But, some oils affect cats with noticeable signs of toxicity. The Essential Oils Safe For Cats. Researchers have identified two major categories of essential oils that are more dangerous to cats than other mammals (such as humans, dogs or horses). Cats are especially at risk for essential oil reactions. It’s best to heavily dilute essential oils and use them in moderation. Do not use essential oils on and around cats or dogs under 8 weeks old because they are developing at fast rates; it is easy to mess up the proper dilution for each breed. Here are some things to keep in mind when using essential oils with your cats: Always dilute the essential oils. That goes for both internal and topical application. They don't specify what a "low concentration" is though. Quality is key! If there are rooms where your pets do not go, it is okay to diffuse essential oils in those rooms. Safe Essential Oils for Cats. Store Your Essential Oils in a Safe Place. It’s vital that you choose 100 percent pure, therapeutic-grade and certified USDA organic essential oils …