ARE ESSENTIAL OILS BAD FOR YOUR CATS?
Essential oils are very essential to humans, horses, dogs, and goats, among other animals, but many of them can be can be harmful to your cat. However, some time back, certain essential oils were actually considered safe for cats. They were recommended for treating upper respiratory problems, ear mite infestation, and for relieving stress. Today, there is compelling scientific evidence showing that essential oils can indeed be harmful to cats, whether ingested, inhaled , or applied to the skin.
Are essential oils bad for your cats?
Essential oils can indeed be bad for your cats. They usually affect the liver more than any other organ. The human liver is very different from a cat’s
liver; cat’s liver lacks the ability to properly metabolize the various compounds found in essential oils.
Essentially, toxicity in cats usually occurs very fast, through ingestion or external application. In addition, toxicity can also occur over a longer period through continuous or repeated inhalation of essential oils. Whichever method of administration you may use, it can result in serious liver damage or even death.
Are there some essential oils that are really safe for your cat?
As a matter of fact, there are a number of therapeutic grades essential oils that can benefit your cat and even save its life. However, many of the essential oils that we have today are adulterated or synthetic. For this reason, they contain many artificial ingredients, which are toxic. Because cats are very sensitive to chemicals as well as artificial ingredients, exposing them to these kinds of essential oils would be detrimental to their health, and could even lead to death.
The important issue when it comes to treating your cat with essential oils is to be very cautious. As mentioned earlier, a cat’s liver is not able to metabolize properly the chemical compounds found in essential oils. For this reason, you should never treat your cat using oils which are high in hydrocarbons and phenols.
On the other hand, low-phenol hydrosols are generally considered as safe for cats. However, not all animal experts agree with this. In addition, there are no scientific findings showing how cats can respond to hydrosols. The fact of the matter is that many people use hydrosols and get great results. Other people avoid them altogether.
Here below is a list of essential oils that can be harmful to your cat:
- Birch oil
- Thyme oil
- Lemon oil
- Wintergreen oil
- Lavender oil
- Cinnamon Bark oil
- Melaleuca oil
- Tea Tree oil
- Clove oil
- Savory oil
- Tangerine oil
- Spruce oil
- Grape Fruit oil
- Mandarin oil
- Orange oil
- Fir oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Geranium oil
- Citrus oils
- Clove oil
- Citronella oil
- Pennyroyal oil
- Rue oil
- Bay oil
The following is a list of essential oils that are safer for your cat:
- Rosemary oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Cedarwood oil
- Peppermint oil
In conclusion, it is important to note that most essential oils are not safe for your cat. For this reason, you should not attempt to use any of the essential oils listed above here as unsafe. You should only use the ones that are listed as safe, and they are only four in number. When it comes to hydrosols, some experts recommend them as safe for your cat, while other are of a different opinion. If you choose to use them, it is advisable to be cautious.
Please do not use anything on your cat but therapeutic grade oils that are backed by a vet! If your animal has a serious medical condition or if you are not sure about applying any essential oil to your animal please consult your vet. There are holistic vets who routinely use essential oils in their practice with great success!