How Do Essential Oils Put My Cat at Risk? Established research has shown that essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. Exposure can lead to serious liver damage, liver failure, respiratory failure, seizures and even death.
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).
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.
“Diffused oils are very dangerous, as the oils are inhaled,” Bailey said. “Not only are these oil droplets dangerous themselves, but the inhalation of these oils can cause a foreign body pneumonia in cats.” Symptoms of respiratory irritation include a watery nose and eyes, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peppermint oil is highly toxic to cats.
They are typically strong-smelling and make up the active ingredient in many essential oils, such as peppermint oil. Without the enzymes required to break down phenols, cats exposed to peppermint oil can experience: Liver damage. Breathing difficulties.
Cats dislike eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint – just choose the ones you don't mind the scent of yourself.
Essential oils that are unsafe for cats:
Citrus oils (bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, tangerine) Birch.
Beeswax, soy wax or vegetable-based wax candles don't contain toxic pollutants, so are generally safer, and also typically burn for longer than paraffin wax. If you're worried your cat may have been poisoned by anything in your home, discover how to spot the signs of poisoning.
Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe to cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten. The essential oils specific to garden mint have also been known to relax the esophageal valve, making vomiting more likely in a cat who may already be ill.
Lemongrass isn't harmful to cats, as long as they nibble in moderation. When made into an essential oil, lemongrass is potentially deadly for your cat. All cats lack glucuronyl transferase, a liver enzyme, that helps to break down most essential oils, including lemongrass.
Enjoy the true aroma of the essential oil with MUJI Aroma Diffuser, which spreads the aroma through the vibration generated by its ultrasonic function, flame free and safe to use with children and pets around.
Passive diffusers include reed or evaporative diffusers, candle or heat diffusers. They emit a less intense aromatic scent as there is no mechanism forcing the essential oil into the air. These are generally a safer option around the house with pets, however, we always recommend you chat with your vet prior to use.
Certain essential oils like clove and pennyroyal can be dangerous to your pets. You've probably also heard warnings like, don't use essential oils directly on your pet's skin, don't let your dog or cat ingest them, and don't diffuse citrus oils around cats.
This even extends to eucalyptus oil, which can cause irritation in your cat's mouth or on her skin as well, Dr. Bustamante said. So basically, if you have a product that contains eucalyptus in any form, you should keep it far away from your cat (or ideally not keep it in your home at all).
Unfortunately, the lavender plant and essential oils are toxic to cats and can lead to severe symptoms.
Key takeaway. Lavender is toxic to dogs, especially when consumed. However, the scent can also cause respiratory symptoms in some dogs because they have a stronger sense of smell. Both the lavender plant and essential oils can be dangerous for your pet.
The answer is yes it is safe, but even more than that, breathing in essential oils can be good for you. Inhaling essential oils isn't just pleasant because of their gorgeous scents and aromas they release, but it can actually positively affect your mental and physical wellbeing too.
Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant. To keep your cats safe, use eucalyptus essential oil in a sealed container instead of fresh or dried plants.