Essential oils should never be applied to your cat’s skin for any reason. If your cat has been exposed to essential oils, it should immediately be moved to an area of fresh air. If your cat is having any trouble breathing and acting unusual, call your veterinarian immediately.
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- Plant extracts known for their aromatic and/or therapeutic qualities are called essential oils. They’re commonly used in aromatherapy.
- A number of essential oils are toxic to cats. They include clove, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and sandalwood.
- If your roommate is a cat, you should set up a secure environment for them. That entails keeping dangerous materials out of reach, like essential oils.
Essential oils are in right now, appearing in everything from personal care and cleaning products to pharmaceuticals and more. What about your cat, though? Are essential oils safe for cats to use? Are there any available?
Heres what cat parents need to know.
What Are Essential Oils?
These are plant-derived oils that have been concentrated and refined. They have a rich essence or fragrance and are derived from particular plants. Â.
You can either make them in their purest form or purchase them as part of cleaning and cosmetic products to use them. Regardless of whether you own pets or not, you should still handle these oils and the products that contain them carefully.
Veterinarians advise against giving cats essential oils, but some pet owners assert that there are advantages. For example:
Repelling cat fleas. Some pet owners apply essential oils, like cedarwood and rosemary, to their cats to help keep fleas away. Â.
Improving mood. While using essential oils can be calming and relaxing for humans, some pet owners claim that their cats also experience similar benefits. It’s possible that some essential oils can improve your cat’s mood by lowering depression and anxiety. Â.
Anti-inflammatory effects. Essential oils have anti-inflammatory qualities, so your cat may benefit if they have arthritis or another inflammatory condition. The same goes for simple inflammatory conditions like bruising. Although the thought of adding some essential oil to your cat’s bathwater might be alluring, keep in mind that anything can go wrong at any time.
Digestion. Some cat owners have used essential oils to help their cats with digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Nevertheless, you should never mix essential oils with your cat’s food. The risk outweighs any perceived benefit.
It is advisable to avoid putting your cat’s health and life in danger by not letting them come into contact with essential oils until you have discussed the matter with your veterinarian and obtained their approval.
What to Do If Your Cat Shows Signs of Essential Oil Poisoning
Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if your cat exhibits signs of poisoning while using essential oils at home. Â.
Your cat’s chances of recovering are better the sooner you seek treatment. Having as much information as possible on hand is beneficial. Â.
During your appointment with the veterinarian, you will require the following essential information to aid in the course of treatment: the product’s packaging and, if feasible, a sample:
The oil that caused the poisoning. It’s critical to understand the particular oil that’s involved in order to provide your cat with the appropriate care. Bring the product or its packaging to the veterinarian if you own it.
The amount of oil ingested by the cat. Your cat will require special care if it actively consumed the oil. Â.
Your catâs weight. Because smaller cats are more vulnerable than larger ones, knowing this information can literally save lives.
Age of the cat. Â Older cats and kittens should receive more attention as they are likely to be more affected.
When you arrive at the veterinarian’s office, the doctor may conduct a physical examination or run a blood test to determine the severity of your cat’s poisoning. Their primary concern will be determining whether the cat has damage to its kidneys or liver. After the vet treats your cat, they ought to be safe.
FAQ
What essential oils can I use around cats?
Is it safe to diffuse essential oils around cats?
Is lavender essential oil toxic to cats?
Is eucalyptus oil safe for cats?