The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists essential oils like eucalyptus, orange and lemon (among others) as being among the leading causes for tremors among cats. However. ensuring that you don’t exceed the dilution guidelines discussed earlier in this article. And in many cases, medical knowledge and practical experience seem at odds with each other. Diffusion promotes an environment that is anti-fungal, Fleas & Parasites – Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and Tea Tree oil in, Insect repellent – Blue Tansy, Eucalyptus, Ligament/Tendons – Lavender, Lemongrass and Palo Santo. Let’s take a closer look. In other words, if you can smell something, your cat can really smell it! Texas CREWS (PDF), Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS), Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP), VERO (CVMBS + West Texas A&M Partnership), Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Mint (Including wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint). Your vet can test your cat’s blood and urine to establish baseline levels, which will help identify toxicity should your cat become ill. Additionally, vets have access to medical literature and research tools that can help establish the safety of any given essential oil. Research suggests that phenols can effectively destroy most viruses, fungi and bacteria. A Scent-sitive Subject: Essential Oil Diffusers and Your Cat Well, not quite. Many pet owners are looking for more natural ways to treat their pets. These include lavender, frankincense, copaiba and helichrysum oils. That’s great for feral cats who roam, track and hunt, but it’s a potential source of trouble for housecats who are exposed to essential oils. And we typically use essential oils diffused or topically with animals. Just in case, it is still better to keep your furry friend away from the … Therefore, it is very important to be more careful and considerate in using the oils. Essential oils with a high level of phenols are as follows: Terpenes have great antiseptic properties and are responsible for many of the enticing aromas produced by essential oils. The truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes. These beneficial antiseptic and antimicrobial properties are believed to boost the immune system, so many cat owners use high-phenol essential oils as a preventative health measure. Citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood are three of the best oils for this … The following essential oils contain high concentrations of pinene. , in case the aroma becomes overwhelming. Yet some sources suggest that if you take the proper precautions, all essential oils are safe for use around cats — and that some may even have health benefits for felines. In a diffuser, add 3 to 5 drops of essential oils, ensuring that you don’t exceed the dilution guidelines discussed earlier in this article. Various enzymes in the liver break down and remove different varieties of toxins. If too many phenols build up in a cat’s body, he could become very sick, very quickly. What this reveals is that a cat’s sense of smell is far superior to that of most other mammals. The higher the … Safe use of essential oils around cats requires solid knowledge about these compounds and familiarity with their presence in various oils. Pinene comes in two forms: alpha-pinene (which smells earthy and fresh) and beta-pinene (which is spicier and woodier). 15 percent for d-limonene and 15 percent for pinene. But because cats lack the appropriate enzyme to remove them, phenols can build up in the body, resulting in liver toxicity. It’s best to heavily dilute essential oil… And that means that if an animal is lacking a certain enzyme, it won’t be able to remove the associated toxins. The common safe oils to diffuse are chamomile, clary sage, cedarwood, marjoram, … To mitigate harm, dilute or avoid these oils if you have cats. If you have a domestic pet cat and you want to use essential oils, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure the safety of your pet. 200 million scent cells are found in a cat’s nose — a huge difference from the 5 million scent cells in a human‘s nose. I'm a publisher and editor at Cat Checkup. What The Veterinarian And Essential Oil Expert #1 Has To Say Veterinarian Dr. Melissa Shelton - has been regarded with many questions about essential oils and cats. My cats always roll in the pine mulch and resin in the spring, summer and fall, possibly self-medicating against fleas. But the true secret behind a cat’s incredible sense of smell can only be revealed on a microscopic level. There is a lot of contradictory information concerning the use of essential oils around cats. So do these long lists of toxic oils mean that you should never use any essential oils around cats? I'd like to invite you to check out our. Animals are generally more sensitive to essential oils than humans are. There are some general tips and suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind as you share essential oils with your furry friends. That’s great for feral cats who roam, track and hunt, but it’s a potential source of trouble for housecats who are exposed to essential oils. Research the compounds found in your oils of choice and dilute appropriately before using them around your cat. When an essential oil is made from that plant, the phenols are found in heavy concentrations. Research reveals that all mammals possess three specific proteins located in the nose that function as scent receptors. Thank you so much! Specifically, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and oil of wintergreen, among others, have been known to cause poisoning in cats. And don’t allow your cat to ingest any essential oils, either — internal irritation is even worse than external irritation. Creatures of Habitat: Where Do Cats Live? And some essential oils contain special phenols like thymol or eugenol, which are toxic to flea larvae and other parasites. Diffusing reduces the toxicity of the essential oil if any is present and makes it safer for cats and other pets in your home. Diffusing Oils with Animals. to establish baseline levels, which will help identify toxicity should your cat become ill. Furry Thermostats: What Temperature Do Cats Like? And so, an example of diffusing an essential oil, you can diffuse three to four drops of Peace or Serenity in your Lumo diffuser… Cats can’t handle high concentrations of pinene, and buildup can result in liver toxicity, as it does with phenols. Never exceed the recommended concentrations for oils containing phenols, ketones, pinene or d-limonene. And when used properly and responsibly, essential oils may have health benefits for both you and your feline friends. Make sure that the room is well-ventilated and that the cat has access to an exit, in case the aroma becomes overwhelming. All of the people promoting essential oils have said it was safe to use around my cat in a diffuser because there are only 2-6 drops of oil in about 1/2 cup of water. Your Cat and Essential Oils – Sensitivity in the Nose, Your Cat and Essential Oils – Sensitivity in the Liver, 12 Signs of Cat Toxicity to Essential Oils, Essential Oils That Contain Phenols, Terpenes & Ketones, Diffusing Is the Safest Form of Dispensing Essential Oils Around Cats, How to Diffuse Essential Oils Around Cats, 21 of Our Favorite Essential Oils for Cats. Cats are especially sensitive to many essential oils and even just a couple of licks can be harmful. And if there’s any doubt about whether an oil is safe to diffuse around your cat, err on the side of caution. If an essential oil contains phenols, then be sure that the oil is diluted to less than an 8 percent concentration level. If you regularly diffuse oils, be sure to provide a place where your cat can go that doesn't expose him or her to the oils. In all mammals, the liver is designed to remove the build-up of toxins from the body. But, here it says it is safe? Excessive diffusion of essential oils may cause respiratory or liver issues in cats. But cats possess a whopping 30 variations — that means they’re 15 times better than us at breaking down a smell into individual components. … And some research suggests that essential oils containing terpenes have positive effects on respiratory tract infections, arthritis, lymphatic systems and skin parasites. The essential oils not safe for dogs are garlic, clover, oregano, rosemary, thyme, tea tree, and wintergreen oil. That’s why it’s so important to take extra precautions when using phenol-rich essential oils. Your email address will not be published. The same goes for other toxic compounds: dilute to. Let’s take a closer look at the effects of essential oils on cats and find out how to use them safely around your furry friends. It can be difficult to find essential oils that are safe to diffuse around … (an additional organ that processes smells) in the upper part of the mouth. Unfortunately, cats lack many of these enzymes, including one called glucuronyltransferase. Be very careful with these oils and consider using ones that contain less pinene instead. ssential oils containing terpenes have positive effects on respiratory tract infections, arthritis, lymphatic systems and skin parasites. So when starting a diffuser method or an essential oil not already tested with your cat, stay vigilant and watch your cat’s reaction. In particular, ketones and terpenes are potential sources of danger when using essential oils around cats. 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. Anxiety – Geranium, Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Valerian, Arthritis – Copaiba, Pine, Spruce and Wintergreen, Bleeding – Cistus, Geranium and Helichrysum, Bones – Lemongrass, Spruce and Wintergreen, Calming – Lavender (all animals typically respond favorably to the smell of lavender), Inflammation – Pine, Spruce and Wintergreen, Skin Cancer/Skin Ruptures – Clove, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Melrose and Myrrh, Trauma – Lavender, Melissa, Roman Chamomile and Valerian. To minimize risk, diffuse only one essential oil at a time until tolerance is established. However, no one can claim such a thing for sure since there is no scientific confirmation of the … Other compounds found in essential oils can also be toxic. Some natural pet shampoos contain eugenol and/or thymol for this reason. These include lavender, frankincense, copaiba and helichrysum oils. An important thing to … Some animals such as cats fail to metabolize essential oils like humans and other pets, whereas other animals like dogs and rabbits can benefit from effective diffusion. However, you should never leave your cat confined to a space where oils are being diffused. First, let’s take a look at the medical side of things — specifically, the liver. Humans possess two variations of the V1R protein, while dogs possess nine variations. And use even more caution with the following essential oils, which should be diluted down to 5 percent concentration before use: The way you use essential oils around your cat is just as important as the type of oil. They’ve never shown any ill effects from this behavior, but pinene is much more concentrated in essential oils than it is in pine mulch. When essential oils are … when diffusing, observe the reaction of … This article is a complete guide for cat owners to understand how to ensure the safety of their pets because essential oils are becoming an invaluable commodity in our homes. One of the most common terpenes is pinene, which is found in pine essential oil and many others. 1. In general, if you have a cat, the diffuser is the safest option to diffuse the essential oils in the room. Kissin’ Kittens: Do Cats Like to Be Kissed? A common sense approach is critical when introducing any new essential oil or aromatherapy for your cat. They’ve never shown any ill effects from this behavior, but pinene is much more concentrated in essential oils than it is in pine mulch. Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, … Watch on For cats and dogs, there are a bevy of essential oils that should not be used around them due to the harmful effects they have. I grew up with cats, and my Mom used all kinds of scented oils, and burned incense almost all day long. Felines just can’t metabolize ketones quickly enough to prevent toxic levels from building up in their bodies. High concentrations of essential oils will harm any mammal, including humans. It doesn’t … Diffusing is ok, but they suggest avoiding diffusing the “toxic” essential oils around your cat. Cats have a unique genetic make-up that gives pause to the use of aromatherapy around them. But because cats lack the appropriate enzyme to remove them, phenols can build up in the body, resulting in liver toxicity. It’s not just the nose, either: cats have scent glands located on the forehead, chin, lips, tail and front paws. 2. If you’re set on using essential oils around your cat, a diffuser is the way to go. I imagine that since you’re here, you likely own a cat — or two! Yes, diffusing essential oils around cats can cause the cats get poisoned. But cats are much more sensitive to ketones than humans are. If the oil is bothering your cat, he may leave the room, act irritable or appear fearful. Because of this, we researched the toxicity of essential oils to cats. If you have any questions or concerns about using an essential oil for your cat or diffusing in your home around your cat… The same goes for other toxic compounds: dilute to 20 percent for ketones, 15 percent for d-limonene and 15 percent for pinene. A variety of ways you maybe already are incorporating essential oils into your daily life, includ… That’s why, if you’re a cat owner who enjoys essential oils, it’s important to do your research before breaking out the diffuser. Research reveals that cats love scent, including many of the aromas found in essential oils. Plus, she cleaned with bleach, Pine Sol, and other highly toxic chemicals, and the cats were fine. To be extra safe, we recommend consulting your veterinarian before using a new essential oil around your cat. Which Oils Are Toxic? Never exceed the recommended concentrations for oils containing phenols, ketones, pinene or d-limonene. Humans have a much higher tolerance for phenol in essential oils… Essential oils that contain high levels of ketones can be found in the following list. To mitigate harm, dilute or avoid these oils if you have cats. Just always make sure they can leave the room if they do not like them. Unfortunately, the quality of essential oils is a confusing smorgasbord with marketing that spans from honesty all the way to misleading claims and outright lies. This enzyme is responsible for ridding the body of excess carbolic acid, a type of phenol. It detoxifies the liver and helps eliminate potentially harmful substances, including toxins from … Dr. Shelton has created a full line of essential oils … Essential Oils Safe for Cats Fleas I covered essential oils for fleas on dogs, cats, and other pets. a mammal to distinguish separate scents in a compound. Your cat is probably just taking the scent into his Jacobson’s organ, which is located in his mouth. Ketones have calming and analgesic properties that promote cell regeneration, decongestion and nerve health. If you’re set on using essential oils around your cat, a diffuser is the way to go, Diffusion allows dilution of the essential oil, Diffusion allows your cat to leave the room if intolerant to the scent. Your article makes sense to me, and that video of the kitty basking in the diffuser steam was rather convincing, too. Compared to humans, cats have a heightened sensitivity to scents and smells. Cats, like all animals, have their own individual preferences. Sizing Up: How Big Do Cats Get? If used topically dilute 1 drop of essential … a cat’s sense of smell is approximately 14 times stronger than a human’s. And if you see him grimacing, that doesn’t necessarily indicate an aversion! If you're used to diffusing your essential oils all throughout the day, your cat … Because of this, we researched the toxicity of essential oils to cats. Diffusing essential oils is the safest form of dispensing essential oils around cats for many reasons: If you are new to diffusing essential oils with your cat, then start off by choosing essential oils that have already been tested and are known to be safe around cats. I was just reading that tea tree oil can be toxic to cats. Diffusing essential oils around pets may cause or worsen respiratory or liver problems in certain cats and other pets, so use them with caution. They also have the Jacobson’s organ (an additional organ that processes smells) in the upper part of the mouth. While harmless to us, these phenols require a special enzyme for metabolization that cats don't have. Phenols are a byproduct of plant metabolism and are found in many essential oils. A 2017 research article in Applied Animal Behavior Science revealed that a cat’s sense of smell is approximately 14 times stronger than a human’s. Never apply essential oil directly to your cat’s skin, even if it’s diluted, as it can cause severe irritation. Diffusing essential oils with strong odors, particularly lime essential oil and lemongrass essential oil can help deter cats away from certain areas. Various enzymes in the liver break down and remove different varieties of toxins. That’s why it’s so important to take extra precautions when using phenol-rich essential oils. What we found was a lot of contradictory information, with some sources claiming that all essential oils are toxic to cats. However, this … Cats also have difficulty metabolizing d-limonene, a terpene found in many citrus essential oils. I have wondered if the hype about not using essential oils around cats was totally true. But at the same time, some research suggests that these same compounds could have health benefits for many cats. Fulfilling the Stereotype: Why Do Cats Loaf? Always make sure that the cat can leave the room to get away from the diffuser. As for cats, the essential oils that aren’t safe to use are eucalyptus, clove, lavender, spruce, cassia, lemon, birch, and more. You’ll need to be much more cautious than you would if you didn’t have cats, but if you do your research and dilute your oils properly, many can be used safely. Cats are also very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds, which can be found in some essen… These benefits lead many cat owners to believe that they’re safe and even healthy for cats. Though it can have energizing and anti-cancer effects in low concentrations, it’s toxic in higher concentrations. so many cat owners use high-phenol essential oils as a preventative health measure. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. When it is apparent that your cat tolerates an essential oil, then greater concentrations and periods of diffusion can be increased. Finally, a comprehensive article about cat safe essential oils. Years ago I didn’t know TTO was considered toxic to cats, yet have been using for years to treat gunky eyes with never an issue. Essential oils safe to diffuse around cats … Any doTERRA oils are safe to diffuser around your cat. And in many cases, medical knowledge and practical experience seem at odds with each other. High concentrations of essential oils will harm any mammal, including humans, The key, then, is to dilute and diffuse s. relatively harmless levels of concentration for your cat. And when used properly and responsibly, essential oils may have health benefits for both you and your feline friends. The key, then, is to dilute and diffuse small quantities to ensure relatively harmless levels of concentration for your cat. (From Smallest to Biggest). I have been difising some high quality essential oils … — so helping you better understand them is my aim. Essential oils with a high level of phenols are as follows: and are responsible for many of the enticing aromas produced by essential oils. including many of the aromas found in essential oils. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Before using essential oils, you should always check out a list of those safe for diffusing around your cat. She rubbed Metholatum on my chest, and put eucalyptus oil in a humidifier when I was sick…and I always slept with my cats. Additionally, pinene is prone to oxidizing, which can result in irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. In general, cats are more sensitive to smells … You can diffuse essential oils around cats safely, so long as there’s good ventilation, you only diffuse small amounts for limited periods of time, and your cat has the freedom to leave the room … Animal-Friendly Aromatherapy – What Essential Oils Are Safe to Diffuse Around Cats? List of Essential Oils that are Safe for Cats. These benefits lead many cat owners to believe that they’re safe and even healthy for cats. The potential benefits aren’t worth the risk to your cat’s health, so stick with known safe oils whenever possible. Essential Oils You Can Use Around Cats: clary sage; frankincense; geranium; helichrysum; lavender; roman chamomile; rosemary (as opposed to rosemary verbenone); valerian; If you diffuse oils. Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets, especially to cats. Diffusion is the safest and most tolerated form of dispensing essential oils around cats. Below, brush up on the differences between phenol-based and water-based oils, and make sure your favorite essential is safe for use around your cat. Precautions when diffusing essential oils near your cat. The diffuser can then be turned on for short periods of time until there is apparent tolerance by the cat (see this video). Of all the essential oils that that you can use for your cat helichrysum is arguably the very best. Essential oils safe to use topically on cats … Diffusion is preferred for cats. The article didn’t say safe, it said safe when not in excess and further said using very diluted oils and to consult your veterinarian if you had and concerns for your specific cat. that means they’re 15 times better than us at breaking down a smell into individual components. Cats have a unique genetic make-up that gives pause to the use of aromatherapy around them. Diffusion allows dilution of the essential oil Diffusion promotes an environment that is anti-fungal, antiviral But as we’ve already learned, cats simply can’t process high levels of phenols. Research the compounds found in your oils of choice and dilute appropriately before using them around your cat. One such protein, identified as V1R, enables a mammal to distinguish separate scents in a compound. These essential oils contain high amounts of d-limonene and should be highly diluted (or avoided altogether) if you have cats. But even if he doesn’t seem bothered, it’s still important to take all possible precautions and watch for toxicity symptoms — cats don’t always know what’s best for them.