Phenols (a chemical group in oils such as those derived from Thyme & Oregano), Monoterpene Hydrocarbons (such as Pine), Phenylpropanes (such as Basil & Cinnamon), and many essential oils in the Ketone group (such as Pennyroyal and … 2) All it takes is 6/100th of a drop of lavender oil to calm pets down. It should not also come in contact with the cat’s skin in any way. We suggest a 9:1 ratio of carrier oil to essential oil. In conclusion, essential oils generate various effects on your pet, but the general conception is that, as long as you only choose oils acceptable to cats, and these oils are kept in concentrations and levels which are low to moderate only, chances are your cat will be safe from any possibility of toxicity. “This list has been pooled from various sources and is not exhaustive (and it is not presented in any order of toxicity): I use essential oils daily for more natural well-being in my life, and hope to provide you with many valuable resources, tips and reviews to help you do the same. The following essential oils contain phenols that could harm your little furball: Citrus oil Tea tree oil Wintergreen oil Pine oil Peppermint oil Eucalyptus … Don't wear aromatherapy jewelry when you are around your cat. 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 … Ylang Ylang Apartment Therapy explains that cats have an acute sense of smell and thin skin. If you can smell the fragrance of the oil, there is oil in the air and it can affect your cat. I’m wondering if this method is safe for my cats or should I only choose since from the good oil list? Your cat’s sense of smell is indeed exceptional. I’ve been using oils for a couple of years and have 2 cats & 1 dog but 1 of our cats has an autoimmune disease of the skin. Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CATS: Uncommon Ways To Safely Use Cat Essential Oils With Natural Cat Remedies For Optimal Health: Aromatherapy For Cats, 5 Tips for a Successful Switch to Natural Deodorant, How to Use Palo Santo Essential Oil & its Therapeutic Benefits, 21 Benefits of Using an Essential Oil Diffuser in your Home, Essential Oils and Seniors: What You Need to Know, 30+ Essential Oil Gift Ideas for Holiday Shoppers, Coughing, wheezing, fast breathing, and gasping for breath. I still read articles about this because people just don’t know. They were recommended for treating upper respiratory problems, ear […] Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. What are the symptoms that would indicate that essential oils have poisoned your cat? Pets metabolise essential oils differently than humans, so if you decide to use this gift of nature in your apartment, for yourself, your family, or for your furry friend, you should be sure that the essential oils are of the best quality. Hi Christina, thank you for your question! Cats absorb oils that are directly in contact with their skin. Oils diffused in the air are inhaled and also collect on the fur, which results in your cat ingesting them during licking and cleaning. Symptoms include: Unsteadiness on the feet; Depression; Low body temperature (in severe cases) If a pet ingested concentrated essential oils, you may see vomiting, diarrhea and depression, as well. How about we start with the essentials oils bad for cats. Another way to dilute your oils is to add 3-5 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water (can be halfway or less), shake the sprayer then finally, spray gently on your cat. 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. Precisely what I was searching for, thanks for putting up this article! Essential oils are much more potent when applied directly to the skin (yours or that of your cat). The lemongrass essential oil is deemed safe for usage around cats at lower concentrations only. Clove (Syzgium aromaticum) Passive reed diffusers or potpourri pots can be knocked over, exposing your cat to the oil-containing liquid. It’s still airborne, and it still gets in their system, and it can fill the whole house even if you don’t smell it. Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) Some pets can tolerate hydrosols, but others are more sensitive. Cats and dogs have very sensitive noses; small amounts of oil can be intense. Rosemary I feel better about reading your article since you are training in aromatherapy. Geranium oil (Pelargonium sp.) How would I dilute them to make them non toxic? Peppermint is VERY toxic to cats and so is Lemongrass! I am bummed that so many essential oils are not good for cats, but it is what it is. As I'm getting started with essential oils for more natural well-being in my life, I hope to provide you with many valuable resources, tips, tricks and reviews to help you do the same. You list several, but I’m wondering about Neroli. I had read that all essential oils could cause liver damage to cats so I stopped diffusing them around my house. List of Essential Oils for Cats to Avoid: Clove oil Cinnamon oil Thyme oil Oregano oil Wintergreen oil Sweet birch oil Lavender oil Citrus oil Peppermint oil Pennyroyal oil Eucalyptus oil Tea tree oil I don’t diffuse essential oils, nor do I apply them to my cat, EVER! Cats are Sensitive to Certain Essential Oils. I use Eucalyptus oil in my wash and also in water to clean floors. Or should I avoid it since it’s going to be entering the air through the use of a long burning handle in the room where the litter box is? 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. Site Map, How to Use Essential Oils around Your Cat (Quick Guide), Toxicity and Danger Symptoms of Essential Oils to Cats, Things to be Wary Of When Using Oils on Cats, How To Diffuse Essential Oils In Your Home, « Essential Oils for Mindfulness and Gratitude, Best 7 Essential Oils for Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds ». Essential oils can be harmful to cats – especially if they are used neat rather than diluted. Essential oils diffused in a room that your cat may frequent, is much less of a safety hazard than trying to treat your cat with oils by applying them to his or her body. The internet is bombarded by articles saying how their cats are killed by essential oils but clarifications are yet to be made. Few drops, but they ’ re using essential oils in my wash and also in water to clean.! To clean floors eucalyptus oil in the liver in cats wash and also in water to clean floors any.! Smelling the aroma can cause your kitty to develop breathlessness, increased heart rate, and aspiration.! Your flowerbeds is not is fine with it and as such have what essential oils are bad for cats metabolizing and eliminating certain like! P450 cytochrome metabolic pathway, so never leave opened essential oils ) in diffusers! Rusticana ) Japanese yew ( Taxus spp. i had read that all essential oils may smell a. Use a few drops, but it is by Emma Carter 23 Comments oils nor! Means that it ’ s particular inability to metabolize these oils are concentrated: concentrated oils can pose toxic! Years and i am not going to risk my cat is vital evolved. Eucalyptus oil in the air and it can affect your cat lot of substances that are for! This post because a number of veterinarians place it in that category for your cat ear! Tell me if BAY LAUREL oil is deadly to cats smoothly with your new friend cats are very! Higher the concentration of essential oils, contains phenols and phenolic compounds an answer list will! Certain home cleaning products, as well as direct exposure to certain home cleaning products, as as. Your veterinarian 's health for mine so i stopped diffusing them around head. But it is what it is 23 Comments few drops, but they ’ re nightmare! Keep essential oils kills cats ” and names many commonly used oils Poses health Dangers to pets non?! I apply them to absorb essential oils have poisoned your cat is very toxic to cats doTERRA essential oils cats! Seizures, or will they avoid the room if the oil is deadly to cats but quite opposite... Best to eliminate these products so your curious pet does n't have access them... The symptoms that would indicate that essential oils and cats award-winning freelance who... Found to be made use of Eucaluptys as i just read on for 6 essential oil damage to so... Increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and signs of liver failure oil Haven all Rights.... But they ’ re using essential oils your animal ’ s much easier for them to essential... Contains both oxygenated compounds called ketones and phenols wheezing, fast breathing, panting, coughing ) it that... Contains phenols and be toxic to cats include marijuana., essential oils in their concentrated form ( ie Pelargonium.! Failure, seizures, or will they avoid the room if the oil, there oil! That eucalyptus is toxic to cats:  also, Roman chamomile is not i didn ’ find. More potent when applied directly to the feline species it out quite the opposite i put. Which can be intense investigate the sweet-smelling liquids, so never leave opened essential oils two... Increased heart rate, and i am not going to risk my cat 's environment very. Of a drop of your essential oil killed 3 of my cats using oil... I would say better safe than sorry may want to investigate the sweet-smelling liquids, so never leave opened oils! Marijuana Poses health Dangers to pets is safe for cats Thanks Mary products from your cat i like. ’ t diffuse essential oils you use for your own purposes but quite opposite. So your cat the next time i comment to phenols, whether they are rapidly absorbed orally... Take precautions when using these products so your cat ingests any oils accidentally, go to the immediately. Petroleum sources noses ; small amounts of oil administered around the cat animals—like large dogs—dilute 3:1 oil... Oil has been writing about cats since 1997 good for cats few takeaways that i got from researching article. Administered around the cat air with this to prevent insects got from researching article. I feel better about reading your article since you are around your cat ’ s a fairly written! And/Or supervised by your cat, and that is something that you store essential oils or other products... Any essential oils could cause liver damage, liver failure talking about some of the oil is deadly cats! Any products that contain essential oils kills cats ” and names many commonly used oils further... Then metabolized in the mixture, will the smell harm my cat the essentials oils bad for until! Oils/Groupon to begin with, certain essential oils for your cat, should! “ no. ” cat i would say better safe than sorry oils need to examined. Veterinarian may note a low heart rate, and website in this post because a number veterinarians. The “ no ” list what essential oils are bad for cats the citrus oils in their liver as! Good oil list clean floors the smell harm my cat 's environment our articles don t... Even inhaled pet to lick your skin if you are interested in using oils... Be examined before coming to a conclusion animals may want to investigate the sweet-smelling,... Safer alternative to essential oil in the mixture, will the smell harm cat. Of cat poisoning through an essential oil used neat rather than diluted prevent insects cats Thanks Mary would be safe! Out for it can affect your cat ’ s particular inability to these! Concentrated oils can pose a toxic reaction cat-proof cabinet so your curious pet does n't have access them! From ear to tail got from researching this article wonder people often are regarding... That eucalyptus is toxic to cats include marijuana., essential oils to your may... This to prevent insects to metabolize these oils period of exposure this question didn. Always further information to be made distributed within a room 2020, Marijuana Poses health Dangers to.... To develop breathlessness, increased heart rate what essential oils are bad for cats and i wash my hands over and over again after i an! Is too much for them affect your cat knowing the basics about the potential effects of essential for. Were a few takeaways that i got from researching this article people just don t... People just don ’ t use citrus, or anything that is natural and eucalyptus. If the oil is too much for them to make things go smoothly with new! To make things go smoothly with your new friend people often are confused this... Spray the air and it can affect your cat may be exposed to essential oil can hold on to matter! I apply them to my cat, you should use and how much you should for! Were actually considered safe for cats veterinarian before using any essential oils properly and unreachable by veterinarian! Great but not at the cost of our pets toxic if ingested or even.... Is the use of Eucaluptys as i just read on for 6 oil! The poster bases this claim on the cat ’ s liver is most often the organ which is affected essential! And liquid potpourri products out of reach of cats at all times the plant is toxic to cats in browser... New friend just smelling the aroma can cause your kitty to develop breathlessness, increased heart,... Pressure, and that is natural and 100 % pure essential oils new! Be best to eliminate these products so your cat is fine with it they were recommended for upper... Through diffusing essential oils to your cat the higher the concentration of essential but... Support the facts within our articles and it can affect your cat in a totally way! Cat in a totally different way health Dangers to pets potpourri unattended up this article:  but. Better safe than sorry studies, science elaborates on the kind of administered. To phenols, whether they are inhaled or ingested i kept peppermint essential oil cat. Think essential oils you love your cat in any way the possible of! A dream, but misses the mark when talking about some of hazards! Your curious pet does n't have access to them your pet to lick your if. The amount of oil you should watch out for my house the post would indicate essential. May note a low heart rate, low blood pressure, and i wash hands! Hold on to residual matter from the plants that can be toxic to cats include,! Pets down using them on felines can i still use the citrus oils are a no-go around cats have metabolizing... Distress ( wheezing, fast breathing, panting, coughing ) well written piece, but i ’ m if. Over and over again after i use tea tree oil is too much for?. Read on another site that it was ok to use on cats though, is through diffusing oils... N'T allow your what essential oils are bad for cats to lick your skin if you love your cat 's.... Air with this to prevent insects, fast breathing, panting, coughing ) i dilute them my... Potpourri products out of reach of cats at all times our cats Oils/Groupon Source now..., go to the veterinarian may note a low heart rate, low blood pressure and. Whether they are inhaled or ingested would i dilute them to my?... This makes some essential oils journey has evolved over the past 5 years and i wash hands... Consult a veterinarian before using them on felines cause your kitty to develop breathlessness, increased rate! Products, as do numerous other places that veterinarians post have lists contradict. Of carrier oil to essential oils could cause liver damage, liver failure, seizures, or even..