If you’re a pet owner, chances are you’ve seen essential oils used in aromatherapy diffusers. While this might seem like a harmless practice to some people, essential oils can be toxic to both humans and cats if they are not used properly.
This article will discuss what essential oils should never be diffused around cats, which essential oils are safe for use by cat owners, and how much essential oil is too much for your cat.
Essential oils are used in a variety of ways, including as insecticides and personal care products. They can also be found within aromatherapy products, passive diffusers, liquid potpourri, or mixed with other ingredients.
Why is it important to use caution when diffusing around cats?
Can i diffuse oils around my cat? Essential oils are volatile organic substances within plants that determine their aroma and taste. They are extracted from plants by distillation or cold pressing. There are individual oils (e.g. lavender, clove) as well as aromatic blends. They are able to soothe, relieve symptoms of colds, tone the body and help it return to a healthy state.
Cats are more sensitive to many essential oils than humans. A veterinary professional should be consulted before using them for or around your pet. Keep in mind that these oils can be potentially toxic to pets in certain concentrations. Safe for humans, not safe for your pet. Your pet may inadvertently inhale, lick or drink essential oils, or they might get them on their skin. Essential oils can cause burns or intoxication in cats. Always follow the directions on pet care product labels to avoid an overdose.
Cats in particular are extremely susceptible to essential oil poisoning due to the lack of necessary metabolizing enzymes in the liver. They are also very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds found in some essential oils. The higher the concentration of the product, the higher the risk to your pet. Symptoms of intoxication depend on the type of oil and may include salivation, vomiting, tremors, ataxia, respiratory distress, bradycardia, seizures, low body temperature, and liver failure.
Cats have a better sense of smell than humans. Inhalation of strong odors may cause nasal or eye bleeding, burning in the nose or throat, nausea leading to salivation or vomiting, and difficulty breathing in some animals. There might be shortness of breath, heavy breathing, coughing or wheezing. Pets with these symptoms should be taken out for fresh air immediately. If symptoms persist within half an hour, take your pet to a vet clinic as soon as you can.
Safety precautions for using essential oils around cats
Unless the oil in a passive diffuser gets onto cats or is ingested by them (e.g., if their head happens to bump into one), there’s not much risk for harm from these devices. The main hazard is respiratory irritation caused due to an excessive amount of essential oils that get dispersed around your home.
Make sure you always follow the following rules when diffusing oils around your pets:
- Never use essential oil diffuser for or around cats without first consulting a veterinarian.
- Never use undiluted products on animals.
- Keep the oils out of your pet’s reach.
- Use diffusers and aroma lamps in a room where no pets are present or move your cat to another room and air it well after the aromatherapy session. Your pet must be able to leave the room at any time. A cat won’t stay in a room filled with a fragrance that might make him/her sick. So if your pet leaves the room, it will not only save it from negative effects but also be a signal to you as the owner that the concentration of the essential oil should be reduced.
- Don’t use products intended for dogs on your cats. If a product gets on your pet’s fur or skin, wash it off under running water with soap and water.
- The concentration of essential oils in the aroma diffuser should be moderate, not saturated. In this case, it should be harmless to the animals. Animals have a more sensitive sense of smell than humans. You may barely feel a fragrance but for an animal, it might be a huge dose. So make sure you don’t exceed the dosage of aromatic products and don’t use more than 2-3 drops in an aroma lamp.
- Don’t place your aroma diffuser in close proximity to your pet’s favorite nap spots. Every pet is unique, so you should observe your pet’s reaction to each particular aromatic oil. Only 100% natural essential oils should be used. Avoid counterfeit products.
- Never use oils with high phenol content. These are anise, almond, oregano, thyme, clove, and thyme. Citrus aromas aren’t recommended due to their saturation. They are too pungent for animals, especially cats.
What Essential Oils Should I Never Use Around My Cat?
When deciding what essential oils will work the best for your needs, there are several types to be wary of.
- Citronella essential oil: This essential oil is very common in the market but it can cause respiratory issues with your pet, making this a no go for any cat owners.
- Peppermint essential oils: Cats have an increased sensitivity to peppermint essential oils and should never come into contact with them if you would like to avoid potential risks or side effects.
- Clove bud essential oils: The most dangerous clove essential oil is camphor laurel which also happens to be one of the more popular types used as well so it’s important that this type not only isn’t near cats but anywhere at all!
- Eucalyptus globulus essential oil: Again, eucalyptus essential oils are very common but they can be toxic to cats.
- Camphor laurel essential oil: This type of essential oil is one that any cat owner should avoid as it has been shown to cause respiratory issues in pets, especially when diffused near them!
What essential oils are toxic to diffuse around cats?
List of toxic oils for cats provided by the Pet Poison Helpline include:
- Pennyroyal
- Clove
- Oregano
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Wintergreen
- Ylang ylang
- Sweet birch
- Bergamot
- Thyme
- Tea tree oil (melaleuca)
- Cinnamon
As with any pet owner, if you want to diffuse essential oils around your cats it’s important not only to know which essential oils can be toxic but also what amount will be safe. We hope this article has provided some useful information on the topic!
