The good news is that most cats shy away from the smell of peppermint, so it is unlikely that they will take a speculative lick. For complete peace of mind, you should make sure all the products in your household that contain peppermint oil are kept well away from prying feline eyes.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Many cats do not like the smell of peppermint as it contains Salicylate which is poisonous to cats. Unfortunately, some cats are attracted to the peppermint plant because it contains Nepetalactone mimicking compounds, the active ingredient in Catnip.
Cats dislike eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint – just choose the ones you don't mind the scent of yourself.
This is because essential oils are heavily concentrated, with very potent odors. Similar to these creatures, your pet will find the smell of peppermint overpowering to their senses. Additionally, applying oils to your pet will likely cause them to lick, trying to rid their fur of the scent.
Peppermint oil is toxic for dogs. Whether you're using an oil diffuser, applying it to their skin, or adding oil to their food, it's unfortunately harmful to our four-legged friends.
The best essential oils that are safe for cats are rosemary, copaiba, helichrysum, oregano, frankincense and cedarwood essential oil. Cats can also tolerate chamomile, lavender, thyme and valerian essential oils at very diluted concentrations.
How safe are these essential oils for our pets? Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
The scent of peppermint oil and some other essential oils is very strong for dogs which they cannot tolerate and thus this may impact the normal breathing of dogs. Dogs can also start wheezing. Ingestion of essential oils can impact the respiratory and nervous system of dogs.
Some of the scents that are known to deter cats from scratching furniture include: Citrus scents such as orange, lemon, and lemongrass. Mint and peppermint.
If you have a bird, you should avoid using an essential oil diffuser in your home. The ASPCA says essential oils and cats are not friends. This is because cats are especially susceptible to toxicity build up as their livers do not contain an enzyme needed to break down the oils.
You should avoid using peppermint and lavender essential oils as they can be harmful to the cats. Mix one part essential oil to three parts water in the spray bottle. Spray in areas that you want to keep cats out of. Reapply daily or as needed.
In short, yes! Because the concentration of oils that gets dispersed into the air is much less from our candles and melts than from diffusing, it is safe to burn our candles with your pets in the room.
Is Lavender Safe for Cats? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cautions that lavender plants are toxic for cats as well as dogs and horses. Cats lack the ability to digest two natural substances found in lavender: linalool and linalyl acetate.
The good news is that most cats shy away from the smell of peppermint, so it is unlikely that they will take a speculative lick. For complete peace of mind, you should make sure all the products in your household that contain peppermint oil are kept well away from prying feline eyes.
Smells that repel cats: To keep cats out of yards or gardens, plant the herb rue or sprinkle dried rue. Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.
Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.
Menthol, which is in peppermint oil, should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child because it may negatively affect their breathing.
Passive diffusers are generally considered a safer option around the house with pets, but Dr Hoolahan still recommends you chat with your vet prior to use. One of the greatest risks of essential oils to cats and dogs is respiratory irritation.
Using an oil diffuser for a short time period in a secured area—one that your dog or cat cannot access—is not likely to be an issue. However, if your pet has a history of breathing problems, it may be best to avoid using one altogether.
A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. If you diffuse oils in your home, it should not cause a problem for your cat, as oil used in a diffuser is highly diluted (versus direct topical application or dietary supplementation).
Essential oils can be toxic to cats through skin contact, ingestion and inhalation. Coming into contact with essential oils in these ways can cause serious organ damage to cats, including liver failure, seizures and even death. Never apply essential oils to your cat's fur or skin.
As far as cleaning with essential oils, when using a few drops mixed in with a lot of water (and any other ingredients) as a cleaning solution, the mixture should be very diluted, so it shouldn't cause any trouble for the cats.