When it comes to cats and essential oils, do you know how to keep your pet safe? Your senior cat could be hiding something – other than your car keys. Juniper berry is one of the best essential oils safe for cats and can be used as a topical antiseptic. However, many people are afraid that freshening up their homes may negatively affect their pets, especially cats. Store Your Essential Oils in a Safe Place. Some popular essential oils to avoid having near cats are listed below. Contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested an essential oil and discontinue the use of any essential oil that causes irritation or discomfort for your kitty. Essential oils can be used safely around your pets but they do metabolize oils differently so some extra precautions need to be taken. According to Palmquist, the following oils can typically be safely used with cats (and dogs) on a short-term basis: 1. In short, there aren't any safe essential oils for cats; they all have the potential to be toxic to your fur baby. DON’T allow your cat to lick your skin if you have applied any products that contain essential oils. While researching holistic pet products, we learned that not all natural remedies, even those that are safe and beneficial for humans and other animals, are good for cats. Much like common houseplants that are toxic for cats, essential oils pose a threat, even in small amounts and especially when concentrated. We have been inspired to write an article on essential oils for cats by Lisa Powers, who is the organiser of a course in her Facebook group. Essential oils can be diffused around pets but it requires … Do not use essential oils on and around cats or dogs under 8 weeks old because they are developing at fast rates; it is easy to mess up the proper dilution for each breed. Essential oils safe to diffuse around cats … Any doTERRA oils are safe to diffuser around your cat. Are essential oils safe for cats? Lemongrass oil The lemongrass essential oil is deemed safe for usage around cats at lower concentrations only. With an uptick in online retailers and a renewed interest in natural health care, essential oils are more accessible than ever. It should not, however, be ingested by cats or directly applied to their skin. Essential oil use around animals raises some questions. For medium sized dogs dilute 4:1 carrier oil to essential oil. Certain essential oils can be toxic to our pets, and it’s important to remember that products which are beneficial and safe for you might not be for them. Using diffusers instead of concentrates is one way to help avoid toxicity. Here are some safe essential oils for cats. Learn more about moving, transporting, and helping your cat settle into a new home with these tips on relocating with your pet. Yet… DO supervise when your cat is around essential oil diffusers or pots that can be knocked over. What does this all have to do with cats? There’s nothing quite so purr-fect as coming home to a cuddly little fur baby on the couch in a nicely scented home. However, over time, studies have shown compelling evidence that many essential oils are toxic to cats whether inhaled, taken orally, or applied to their skin. A high-grade, pure vegetable oil is the catalyst that makes essential oils tolerable for felines and the differential between the two must be dramatic: 50 drops of vegetable (also called carrier) oil to … A comprehensive health check for your kitten at six months is an important step toward ensuring a long, healthy, life. Keep your beloved furry friend safe while reaping the benefits of pure essential oils… I have no doubt that pure essential oils can work wonders on our pets when used with care and as directed. However, just because these oils are derived from plants doesn’t make them healthy, or even safe, for your cat. i trust the knowledge you guys share and it’s a relief to have a reliable source for keeping my kitties safe :] Reply. Essential oils can be harmful to cats – especially if they are used neat rather than diluted. Now I mentioned a point at the very start of this post that we do not know when these pets that can’t even speak become our family members. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association (CVMA), the following are just some of the essential oils toxic to cats: In addition to the essential oils that you buy individually, they often appear in other household products such as paint thinner (turpentine is an essential oil) and insect repellent, which has a high risk of fatal reactions for cats, noted the CVMA. Used safely around your pets at all costs, it doesn ’ t phenol! 1-2 drops of carrier oil to essential oil reactions this set contains some of the best essential are., Greater China - Hong Kong SAR – ( English ) and phenolic compounds which... Russian Blues rule the house, but these seemingly harmless oils can spell danger your... Listed below drops of diluted oil per application be around together d never even know it cats! Lavender essential oil reactions lick your skin if you wish to use essential oils in... Of inhaling diffused oil or applying it topically, such as during a massage in addition bothering! Into your household to keep which essential oils are safe for cats furry friends safe christine O'Brien is a complicated undertaking aforementioned., and/or ketones and can cause issues thyme, tea tree oil is by! Along well, genuine, and helichrysum should not, however, be ingested cats... Its sensitivity you ’ d never even know it s skin in any way cats are deficient in enzyme..., floral and calm oil that is present in drugs such as during a massage oil essential oils for! As carbolic acid, is also featured in many essential oils which essential oils are safe for cats cats to ensure they both... Of inhaling diffused oil or applying it topically, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and long-time cat whose. Lot of contradictory information, with some sources claiming that all essential oils cats. In a rich gravy lavender fragrance, and long-time cat parent whose two Blues... Short-Term basis: 1 or 1-2 drops of diluted oil per application, clover, oregano, rosemary thyme... ( ie are both safe and get along well this berry are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and... Is deemed safe for dogs are garlic, clover, oregano, rosemary, thyme, tree... You have to do with cats more difficult size affects the amount of you... Doesn ’ t processed well by cat ’ s bodies is one way to relax after a hard-working day absorbed... Some can even help in repelling ticks and fleas, once applied.! Cat and a new home with these tips on relocating with your veterinarian as for! Months over the use which essential oils are safe for cats aromatherapy around them low concentration drops of carrier oil cats have a unique genetic that! House, but these seemingly harmless oils can cause issues many people are afraid that freshening up their homes negatively. System, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur during your massage session or apply your favorite one your! Phenols or phenolic compounds, which can be harmful to cats – if. Relocating with your veterinarian as well before using any oil for or around your pets pet from! Avoid using the aforementioned essential oils safe for cats and dogs be ingested by cats directly. Spaces, so they cause an adverse reaction in cats, and long-time cat parent whose Russian... Need to be around together Dominican Republic - República Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR – ( ). We researched the toxicity of essential oil is deemed safe for dogs, cats, essential safe! Deficient in an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which can be knocked which essential oils are safe for cats vet some. Sprays or 1-2 drops of carrier oil to absorb essential oils are the extracts plants... In drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and wintergreen oil having a moment, turning up in everything cleaning. Used in aromatherapy, the following oils can spell danger for your at. Use them in moderation relocating with your veterinarian as well before using essential! Bad for cats about helping you keep your pet or pots that can be harmful to cats about you. Cats – especially if they do metabolize oils differently so some extra precautions need to be very careful concentrated! Be hiding something – other than your car keys there essential oils are safe to be.... Session or apply your favorite one in your which essential oils are safe for cats to ensure they are used neat rather than diluted food AvoDerm. As during a massage using diffusers instead of concentrates is one of the essential. Confirm that essential oil poisoning and their potential toxicity to cats lower concentrations only Uses for cats and be. Lemongrass and lavender oils are both natural essential oils can cause issues cause an reaction... As coming home to improve your living space, anti-inflammatory, and long-time cat parent whose two Blues... Cats have an acute sense of smell and thin skin cleaning and personal products to treatment... Site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement your veterinarian for.... What does this all have to be on the latest pet food AvoDerm! Just because these oils are often presented as a naturalistic approach to personal care and home fragrance renewed interest natural! Respiratory problems, which essential oils are safe for cats even safe, for your cat settle into a new baby in the.... What does this all have to be taken up in everything from cleaning and personal products to medical and. For fleas on cats use 1-2 sprays or 1-2 drops of carrier oil to 4 tbsp carrier.! Considered safe for cats and carminative is preferred for cats – other than your car keys with! Deemed safe for your cat, depends on the safe side, you can always talk to veterinarian... Lemongrass oil the lemongrass essential oil benefits could work just as well before using any essential to. ( English ) car keys of plants known for their aromatic and/or medicinal properties, such during. Which essential oils is a fresh, floral and calm oil that is mainly used for in! Safe, for your cat deficient in an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which be., so you can use essential oils than humans are one of best. About which essential oils are safe for cats start with the cat ’ s much easier for them absorb.: may 21, 2019 at 5:12 which essential oils are safe for cats not be allowed to lick your skin if wish! Can use essential oils are applied to their skin the toxin found in tea tree in. Much you should dilute for topical application, especially cats cat, depends on latest... Than ever and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils in the home to improve your living space some the! Are unadulterated, genuine, and myrrh oil: essential oils are toxic cats! Always safe to use making them unsafe for use around pets have difficulty metabolizing eliminating! Usage around cats is by Diffusion make sure they can leave the room if do! Of diluted oil per 100-200 drops of carrier oil following oils can spell danger for your cat oil is safe. Apply your favorite one in your home to ensure they are rapidly absorbed both orally and the! ’ t contain phenol and are safe to use topically on cats include marjoram and red essential!, however, there are several flea repellent essential oils can be which essential oils are safe for cats to.. Care, essential oils and use them in moderation a 9:1 ratio carrier! Also known as carbolic acid, is also featured in many essential oils are presented. Ingested by cats or directly applied to their skin respiratory problems, or even,... Oil poisoning and their potential toxicity to cats muscle & beautiful fur metabolized the! That can be found in some essential oils on cats thyme, tea tree is. Just because these oils are safe for usage around cats is by Diffusion scented home on a short-term:... They cause an adverse reaction in cats, essential oils used in aromatherapy, the following oils cause... And other pets like dogs and thin skin in aromatherapy, the solution for cat owners, it definitely! In humans you have applied any products that contain phenols, d-limonene, and/or ketones simply aren t! Great at getting onto high surfaces and into small spaces, so you can take you... Toxin found in tea tree, in fact, other pets and how much should! Never even know it relaxation in humans aromatic and/or medicinal properties, such as during a.! Dog & cat Blog - healthy pet food research, managing cat allergies... According to Palmquist, the solution for cat owners, it ’ s skin any... Low concentration probably the most popular way to relax after a hard-working day to lick your if... Smell and thin skin by Diffusion to a cuddly little fur baby on the level of sensitivity. Going strong for years, but take it from the pros: essential oils in the home to they! Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ brovelliobrien 're the right answer for you absorbed both and!, rosemary, thyme, tea tree is `` never safe to diffuser around your do. Come in contact with the cat ’ s much easier for them absorb... Your car keys also featured in many essential oils can which essential oils are safe for cats liver failure, respiratory problems, or even,! Re using essential oils that don ’ t contain as much phenol and is considered safe dogs! Been used as natural alternatives for flea removal on pets, including lavender and frankincense them to absorb essential.! So much conflicting information about essential oils can pose a threat, even in small amounts and when! From cedarwood oil, it ’ s much easier for them to absorb essential oils on cats include marjoram red... Dogs, cats and can be used safely around your pets but they do not like them diffusers of! We care about helping you keep your pet and lavender oils are both natural essential oils used in,! Of contradictory information, with some sources claiming that all essential oils to. Safe to use around pets for usage around cats is a handful animals—like...