I wanted to share some recipes with those who wish to diffuse their essential oils without fear of harming their cats or dogs. Due to its heightened sense of smell, even the faintest scent of essential oil might be akin to sitting next to someone with dizzying perfume. The Animal Desk Reference Essential Oils for Animals by Melissa Shelton, DVM. Let's recap some of the most important aspects of using essential oils with cats. Perhaps this is because scents are one of the only sensations that travel on a direct path to the memory and emotional centers of the brain. Over time, while humans have enjoyed the beneficial results of oils in improving overall health, people also started using them on animals to see if they also create wonderful impacts on animals. If you want to know more about Young Living and why I chose them please click here. No need to apply extra oil to your palm to compensate for thick fur. Some carrier oils that can be used are coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or almond oil. According to one of the stories, four thieves in the 15th century used it to rob the sick during the bubonic plague. Many sites will recommend avoiding citrus essential oils as well as peppermint oils around cats. Even natural and 100% pure essential oils need to be diluted before using them onfelines. Now, today, Young Livings propriety Thieves Oil blend is derived of clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus, blended to offer the same kind of defense. 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. Using essential oils through the diffusionmethod has been one effective way to do so. If your cats ingest these substances, their intestines and liver dont have the necessary enzymes capable of eliminating, absorbing, or even digesting the oils leading to various health complications in the animal. Plus, it may kill adult fleas, which will help you get rid of these horrible creatures without using chemicals. Peppermint oil has been found to be toxic to cats as it contains both oxygenated compounds called ketones and phenols. It is deadly to cats. While humans may find essential oils to be a way to heal the body and mind, these same oils can be deadly to our pets. This compound, also known as carbolic acid, is also featured in many essential oils, making them unsafe for use around pets. Some cat's will stay near or even lay next to a diffuser if they like the oil while others my run from it. Nevertheless, if your bird only inhales it then no major problems will occur. Thieves Household Cleaners formula has the most effective, 100 percent plant and mineral-based ingredients available. But Dr. Shelton cautions that because cat physiology is different from other animals, improper essential oil use could have devastating health effects. Your email address will not be published. Now that you've ready some safety guidelines check out my top 6 oils to use with cats. When you water diffuse essential oils, if they are pure and of good quality, it is safe in a ventilated and open room. In addition, when your pet dog somehow has thieves oil smeared on its skin, then it will most likely lead to skin allergy or irritation to the skin. Lime oils (Citrus aurantifolia) (Explained), Is Patchouli Safe for Dogs, Cats & Other Animals? Heres what you should know about essential oils and your pets safety. Talking of topical application, both clove oil and cinnamon (ingredients in thieves oil) are known to be potential skin irritants. But I do use essential oils on myself for skin care by mixing them with water or carrier oil, I use tea tree oil a lot I wash my hands when Im finished to ensure none gets accidentally on my cat or my baby Should I be worried about using EO in the same room as my cat? For cat owners, its important to consider where your best healthy practices may conflict with those of your pet. My cats are all cuddlers and like being around my head. I didnt know essential oils could be fatal for cats until after we lost her. Toxicity is a result of applying highly concentrated essential oils, but diluted oils used in small quantities are usually harmless for your furry friend. Since I started sharing essential oils one of the most popular questions I get asked 'is it safe to use around my pets?'. contact@lovecatstalk.com, Whats The Cats Name In Alice In Wonderland, common houseplants that are toxic for cats, Hills Science Diet Adult Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food, The oils must be diffused for a short period of time, The cat must be exposed to the oils in a space that allows for easy access to be able to escape the room if needed, Wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint and mint, Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. Additionally, thieves oil can be so adverse for your pet dogs as it will eventually lead to vomiting, coughing, wheezing, drooling, runny nose, difficulty breathing, lethargy, temperature loss, tremors, redness, falling heart rate, and so on. Ylang Ylang Is thieves oil safe to diffuse around cats? Moreover, you can also discover some heart rate changes in your dog after the consumption or usage of thieves oil by your dogs. Mary. Your dog can also start coughing or sneezing profusely upon the inhalation of thieves oil from the diffuser. Once properly mixed, you can place a drop of this mixture into your hands and begin to pet your cat. Also, Roman chamomile is not considered safe, and Valerian is not considered relaxing to cats but quite the opposite. With Litteroma, we mimic what happens in the wild, by exposing kitty to small quantities of essential oils in their litter tray. Here's what you need to know about the dangers of this essential oil blend. Is thieves safe to use around cats? . In addition, because most cats are allergic to thieves oil, it is better to not use thieves oil diffuser around cats. Its from orange blossoms instead of the fruit, but I want to make sure before I use it in my room diffuser. This gave her the opportunity to help improve the lives of many animals in her community as well as work with the rescue she loved. The saying "a little goes a long way" applies here. There are few different types of diffusers available on the market, all of which release essential oils into the air in a different way. Most problems make some chemicals such as phenols or ketones. The third method, using the oral application, is highly controversial and should be done at your own risk. Symptoms that develop depend on the type of oil involved in the exposure and can include drooling, vomiting, tremors, ataxia , respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, and liver failure. You may wish to verify this dilution ratio with your own vet because some recommend taking that ratio up to 80- to 90-percent. He tends to follow me around the house like the loyal kitty he is and was my first test subject for using Essential oils with cats (AFTER I did some research, which I'm sharing with you. Site Map. Its not just the application of oils directly, but the also some of the home diffuser and cleaning products that can pose risks. Another way to dilute your oils is to add 3-5 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water , shake the sprayer then finally, spray gently on your cat. Wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint, mint (Mentha sp.) With all animals, use extreme caution when using high-phenol oilssuch as Oregano, Wintergreen, Clove, Mountain Savory, and Thyme. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Pine, spruce, juniper oils Please don't use oils on anyone including your pets without knowing the oil and if it's safe). However, in general and summarized, these symptoms include: Consult your veterinary doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs; they are suggestive of essential oil poisoning. Essential oils are much more potent when applied directly to the skin (yours or that of your cat). Since it cannot breakdown some of the compounds, take care to avoid essential oils containing them in too high concentration. Cedar-wood essential oil - Since it does not contain phenols, this oil is safe for your cat. So keep your oils in a closed cabinet or drawer that you are 100% certain your cat cannot break into. And because they cannot break the metabolites, such essential oils can cause toxicity in cats bodies. Lemongrass essential oil - You can find in the form of a 100% non-alcoholic hydrosol. Additionally, liver enzymes called glucuronosyltransferase are not present in cats which makes cats vulnerable to the toxic element of thieves oil because due to the lack of these enzymes, cats cannot metabolize the harmful chemicals present within thieves oil. Is thieves oil safe for other animals or pets? Ive 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. Thieves oil is a rich and spicy blend of various essential oils. All rights reserved. If you love your cat I would say better safe than sorry. I was hoping for an answer to this question but didnt find it. HOWEVER, if you have a cat and are uneasy about using peppermint or if your cat is very sensitive to things, you can just omit the peppermint from the ingredient list. Beth Turner is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. A Michigan woman's online account of her family cat's brush with eucalyptus oil used in a diffuser spurred concern among fellow pet . While it is true that there are some essential oils that cats could tolerate and in fact help fight several health conditions, some oils likewise affect cats by showing signs of toxicity, leading you to the veterinarian most of the time. These toxins then build up in your cats system and cause damage. I would like to buy scented pet odor neutralizing soy candles with essential oil fragrances and no paraffin or petroleum sources. And if so, how should you administer it? Are dogs allergic to thieves oil? Sassafras If you are still unsure, we recommend that yousee a veterinarian for better guidance. The diffusion itself not necessarily harmful to dogs, but having these toxins in your home is a risk. 5 drops Lavender. Use just a drop of this diluted oil and apply to your cat from ear to tail. Wondering what essential oils are safe to diffuse around cats? If you're wondering about the safety of essential oils for pets, the answer is that some essential oils are considered OK for use with pets. My advice - tea tree oil is fine to use occasionally at up to 5% on cats, and pennyroyal may be safe at up to 1%, but is probably best avoided. When used around a healthy cat, scented litter is considered safe. Check out our quick and easy how-to guide for tips and info that will answer your questions about the different types of essential oils for dogs, cats, and other animals!*. If your kitty breathes unsafe oil (like thieves oilas weve discussed above), he may suffer from respiratory irritation whose symptoms include vomiting, drooling, difficulty in breathing, and watery nose and eyes. The internet is bombarded by articles saying how their cats are killed by essential oils but clarifications are yet to be made. The only essential oils that are considered safe for cats include bergamot, chamomile, copaiba, and frankincense. 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. If you have just started using essential oils, we recommend first using a diffuser. While the oils that are extracted arent particularly strong, they are then distilled to make them more potent. Can Puppies Eat Oatmeal? 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 . Dilute at a ratio of 50:1 which means you dilute a drop of your essential oil to 50 drops of dilution oil. When you water diffuse essential oils, if they are pure and of good quality, it is safe in a ventilated and open room. In other words, if your vet gives the green light to use the mentioned essential oils, you should start with high dilution and increase the concentration oil if your fur baby tolerates it and only if necessary. I feel better about reading your article since you are training in aromatherapy. Legit articles that veterinarians post have lists that contradict each other. Japanese yew (Taxus spp.) However well-intentioned your plan might be, it is judicious to understand the facts about every product you want to share with your cat. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Lemon oil (Citrus Lemonia) citronella My essential oils journey has evolved over the past 5 years and I am now also studying to become a Certified Aromatherapist! Clary Sage Ingestion and topical applications of tea tree oil on cats is more likely to cause issues. Always err on the side of cautionHolistic veterinarian Dr. Melissa Shelton is just one member of the profession who believes that as long as a cat parent takes care to use essential oils properly, there is no reason why felines wont benefit from them. Knowing the basics about the potential effects of essential oils to your cat is vital. Thyme is in the mixture, will the smell harm my cat? Thyme A. 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