The quality of essential oil is crucial for its intended use, whether on humans or animals. Essential oils that are risk-free to use are those that are authentic, genuine, and unadulterated. Many oils claim to be organic, natural, or certified pure, but you still need to be careful about which oils you purchase because of the lack of regulation for essential oils. In contrast to conventional pharmaceuticals, essential oils are not subject to FDA oversight.
Essential oils used on or near cats should be used with caution because felines have a different metabolic rate than dogs (or humans). Because cats lack the P450 cytochrome metabolic pathway, their livers function differently. In other words, a cat’s liver cannot metabolize or process the chemical makeup of various drugs, medicines, and even some essential oils. Essential oils can be beneficial for cats, but only when used under a vet’s supervision.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are plant-based liquids extracted from various plant parts (such as bark or flowers) using multiple methods (such as steaming or pressing) to extract volatile aromatic chemicals from enzymes. It takes a lot of plant material to produce just one bottle of essential oil, so sometimes manufacturers will combine multiple oils to get the desired effect. Pure essential oils are those that have been derived directly from plants without any additives.
Essential oils and cats
Given the many advantages essential oils offer for people, cat parents may wish to consider using them on cats who are ill, mainly if other treatment options haven’t been effective. But can we be sure that they’re safe? Put simply, no.
The use of essential oils might be pretty harmful to your cat. You should never use them near your cat. You should only turn to them as the last option and utilize them with extreme caution. Before using them, you should consult your veterinarian and learn as much as possible about them.
Cat Safe Essential Oils
Essential oils, especially in their undiluted form, can be bad for pets, especially cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Most veterinarians agree that using some of these oils is safe, provided they are adequately diluted and administered with care.
Veterinarians.org’s data suggests that cedarwood, rosemary, oregano, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense essential oils are among the finest for cats. German chamomile and Roman chamomile oil, lavender essential oil, thyme essential oil, and valerian essential oil are all safe for cats when used in small amounts.
When it comes to the safety of diffusing essential oils around cats, lavender has been the most thoroughly studied. Even though there is evidence to suggest that it can help soothe cats when diffused, it is still dangerous to apply it neat or undiluted to your cat’s skin or fur because it is highly concentrated.
- Is peppermint oil safe for cats?
Simply put, cats shouldn’t be exposed to peppermint oil. If you’ve ever tried peppermint oil on a cat, you know they don’t appreciate the aroma.
There are 14 times more olfactory receptors in your cat’s nose than there are in yours. You may find peppermint oil to be invigorating and reminiscent of the holiday season, but unfortunately, your cat does not feel the same way. She’s going to feel completely overwhelmed.
Simply inhaling the odor can be fatal to your cat, causing respiratory distress, a rapid heart rate, and even aspiration pneumonia.
In contrast to humans, cats do not produce enough of the liver enzymes needed to metabolize the phenols found in peppermint oil. Comparable to alcohol in structure, phenols are organic molecules that have a greater boiling point and stability. They have a potent aroma and are the primary component of many essential oils, including peppermint oil.
Due to a lack of phenol-degrading enzymes, cats who come into contact with peppermint oil may experience the following:
- Toxic injury to the liver
- Difficulties in breathing
- Wobbliness and seizures
- Discomfort in digesting
- Is orange oil safe for cats?
Studies have revealed that cats are toxic to the toxicity of orange essential oil, regardless of whether the oil is ingested, applied to the skin, or just inhaled. According to several specialists, there is no known dangerous dose of orange essential oil. It is dependent on the level of sensitivity of the individual cats as well as the mode of exposure. Within the first three hours after being exposed to or ingesting the substance, your cat may show symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
According to the opinions of several experts, it may take several days for blood tests to reveal liver or kidney damage.
- Is eucalyptus oil safe for cats?
Eucalyptus oil is not cat safe, unfortunately. It can be extremely harmful when inhaled, rubbed into the skin, or sucked up from a spill. Cats do not produce the enzymes necessary to metabolize eucalyptus oil, making it toxic to them.
Studies have demonstrated that essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, are toxic to cats whether they are ingested, administered topically, or inhaled.
Exposure can lead to serious health problems such as liver damage, liver failure, respiratory failure, convulsions, and even death. Cats don’t have the enzymes needed to metabolize the chemicals contained in essential oils.
Chemical burns can result from a cat directly contacting eucalyptus oil. It is dangerous for a cat to lick up eucalyptus oil spills because doing so can cause chemical burns and other hazardous effects. Cats are highly sensitive to eucalyptus oil, and a few licks can be dangerous.
- Is lemongrass oil safe for cats?
Hydrosols are thought to be an excellent option in terms of safety for pet parents who would want to use essential oils on their animals and who are interested in using hydrosols. The most popular way to obtain lemongrass oil is in the form of a hydrosol, which is an aroma that contains no alcohol and is produced by steam distillation or hydro distillation of plant material. In small amounts, the essential oil of lemongrass is safe for cats and can be used around cats without fear. However, it is not recommended that cats consume it or be applied directly to their skin in any way.
Essential oils made from lemongrass are safe for cats to consume, but it is still vital to dilute or disperse them. Therefore, we recommend using them in moderation so that you can maintain a safe environment for your cat.
- Is tea tree oil safe for cats?
No, tea tree oil is toxic to cats; it can be poisoned by tea tree oil, mainly if the oil is applied undiluted or in excess amounts. Terpenes are a class of compounds found in tea tree oil. These are the active ingredients that give the oil its antimicrobial properties. Also, they’re the ones causing the poisoning. The body easily absorbs terpenes after being either topically or ingested. This means that the same hazardous effects from accidentally ingesting concentrated oil can be felt by applying it topically. Grooming is a common practice among pets, especially cats, which increases the danger posed by topical preparations that could cause poisoning.
Toxic effects from ingesting terpenes can range from mild discomfort to death. Small amounts of oil may cause modest side effects such as drooling and nausea. It’s common for animals with moderate sickness to appear feeble, have trouble walking, or even appear partially paralyzed. Seizures, tremors, and a drastically lowered state of consciousness or coma are all signs of a fatal illness in animals. Within 2-12 hours of exposure, symptoms will begin to appear.
- Is lavender oil safe for cats?
Yes, lavender oil is safe for cats. Your cats can use lavender oil without any problems. Lavender, on the other hand, is not one of the essential oils that contain components that could potentially contribute to toxicity; therefore, it is safe to use around your cat. It is well known for lavender’s calming benefits, which means that both you and your pet can benefit from using it. If your cat like the scent of lavender, then diffusing it in your home is a terrific method to help calm them down if they are feeling anxious about something.
If you must use lavender oil around your cat, do it gently and, most importantly, leave a door open so that she can leave if she chooses to when the situation becomes too much.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of potential dangers to think about while using essential oils on your cat, which makes it difficult to utilize them in a way that is entirely risk-free for them. If you decide to use them, you are responsible for taking additional safety measures and remaining cautious. Before you even attempt to use essential oils on your cat, it is in your best interest to get the opinion of a qualified veterinarian first. Your feline friend will be grateful to you for taking this precaution