Safe use of essential oils for cats
Are essential oils safe for cats?
Much has been written recently about the dangers of using essential oils with cats. For 13 years I have been using essential oils, hydrosols and herbal oils with cats, in my practice of animal aromatherapy. In this time I have helped many troubled felines to a healthier, happier lifestyle with no harmful side-effects. If you follow a few basic guidelines essential oils and hydrosols can be a safe and effective solution for many common cat problems such as:
- nervousness,
- spraying,
- fur pulling
- self-mutilation
- territorial disputes,
- obsessive behaviours,
- arthritis
- itchy skin
The basic guidelines are:
- Always allow your cat to choose whether it wants an essential oil, Do Not Use Essential Oil On Cats if they resist in any way!
- Essential oils must always be used in very high dilutions (max 1 drop to 10 mls, as little as 1 drop in 25mls can be effective)
- Never put essential oils on a cat's body
- Do not close a cat in a room with essential oils diffusing
- Do not use essential oil that contains phenols
So why the fuss about cats & essential oils?
Cats lack an important detoxification mechanism, known as glucuronidation, which is present in most mammals. This means, to avoid possible fatal toxic shock (at worst) or a build up of toxic metabolites in the body, you must be very cautious when using essential oils with cats, and completely avoid anything containing phenols.
There have been reports of liver failure in cats after exposure to essential oils, however these have always been due to forcing a cat to use the essential oil e.g. using tea tree oil undiluted, or prolonged exposure to diffused essential oil. In fact, despite its widespread use, tea tree oil is not safe for cats. However, essential oils occur naturally in nature and cats are probably exposed to small quantities on a daily basis. If just a one whiff of essential oil was going to cause kitty to keel over Felis Catus would not be one of the most successful species on the planet today!
Hydrosols or essential oils?
All the same, I recommend using hydrolats where possible with cats as they seem to enjoy this gentle, water solution more easily than the more aggressive essential oil. However, little research has been done at this time about the physiological effects of hydrolats on cats so the same principles must be applied as when using essential oils: high dilutions and free choice.
The best way to use hydrolats is to put 3-10 drops in a saucer of water near the cat’s usual eating place and allow it to self-medicate by either licking or inhaling. The saucer should be changed daily and fresh drinking water must also be available.
How to use Essential Oils with cats
To find out if your cat wants or needs a certain essential oil or hydrosol, hold the closed bottle in your hand at least 6 inches away from your cat's nose. Be patient and allow the cat to come towards the bottle if it wants to, rather than you going towards the cat. Once you are sure the cat likes the oil (see responses below), dilute one drop in 10 mls (approx. 1 tablespoon) of cold-pressed vegetable oil.
Signs of a keen interest: smelling intently, licking the lips or trying to lick the bottle, follows you around with the aroma, rolls on its back, rubs against you - Offer diluted oil once or twice a day.
Signs of a moderate interest: A few sniffs then looks away, a small sniff but returns to the bottle, tongue licks quickly, easily distracted from the aromas - Offer diluted oil once a day.
No interest: turns away from the aroma, leaves the room - Do not apply.
Cats are very sensitive to the oils so just a few sniffs is all that is needed to trigger the healing process. Cats are also quite subtle in their response to the oils, and sometimes secretive, so if the cat stays in the room with you when the bottle is open count it as a positive response, even if they are acting nonchalant and indifferent.
If the cat shows signs of wanting to lick the oil allow it to lick diluted oil from your fingers if it will (this is very rare) or put a few drops on a saucer and leave it on the floor, but not near its usual eating-place.
In my experience of treating cats I have never come across a cat who wants essential oils put on their skin, usually a few little sniffs is enough to effect a profound change, even in the case of wounds.
The catnip effect
Cats can become overwhelmed by the smell of essential oils, sniffing, licking or attacking their owner manically if the person smells of oils. Cats can also behave as they do with catnip (after all it is the essential oil in catnip they are responding to) jumping around and having a mad moment or five. This can lead people to believe that their cat really loves essential oil, when, in fact, it is literally driving them crazy.
Energy healing
Cats often ‘hang out’ near closed bottles of essential oil. I have a client who, mindful of the cautions, put her selection of oils inside a bag on top of a wardrobe out of harm's way…. only to find that her cats had taken to sleeping beside it. Cats are energetically finely tuned and a collection of essential oils is giving off a powerful radiation to which they are naturally attracted, especially if they (or you) need some healing
There is no need to deprive cats of this wonderful tool, just allow your cat to guide you in how to use aromatics, and never think you know better than a cat!
This video shows clearly how a cat can choose its own hydrosol
Comments
Wondering if this also
Wondering if this also applies to catnip oil? I just got a bottle and was hoping to use it in some way for my cats who love the smell and actually tried to paw the bottle out of my hands. Is Catnip oil safe for them? If so How would I use it most effectively?
Thanks
Alex
Yes, it also applies to
Yes, it also applies to catnip oil, it can overload their nervous system to have too much, dilute well (1 drop 25mls) and limit their access to a small sniff now and then. Even better use the whole plant not the essential oil.
Essential Animals Team
I make a gentle castile
I make a gentle castile shampoo for pets, and I cannot get a straight answer from anyone(even vets) on what essential oils would be safe for scenting shampoo(just a little per 8 fl oz bottle, enough to smell) for cats? You say never to put essential oils on the skin, so I don't know if any would be considered safe. And, if you could be so good as to say which ones would be safe? I found a site that lists the chemical composition of essential oils, but then I have to look each one up to see if it's a phenol or benzyl alcohol-and I honestly can't make heads or tails of it all. I'm selling the shampoo to cat owners unscented for now, but it would be nice to have at least one "scent" to add to it. I have shied away from "fragrance oils", because some do have some essential oils in them.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm personally not big on washing cats, but sometimes they get into things. They're cats, after all. :)
Thank you!
Denise
Facts on essential oils for
Facts on essential oils for cats are few and far between, and the only way to get hard data would be to torture the cats with experiments so I for one am happy to go along with playing it safe. My recommendation is not to use essential oils in cat products, as due to the risks essential oils should only be used with cats by competent professionals. You could however try fragrancing by replacing part of your water content with hydrosols. Lavender, rose or orange all have a great scent. Not sure any therapeutic benefits would survive the soap making process, but that is not your aim anyway, so worth a shot.
I'm with you on the not washing cats though :)
Essential Animals Team
I want to make home made
I want to make home made cleaning products for my kitchen and bathroom. Many of the natural recipes I find online include diluted essential oils. One recipe has 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, and 1/4 teaspoon essential oil. Is this too high a concentration to use for areas where my cat will get on the counters? Do Hydrosols have the same cleaning properties as the essential oil itself? The essential oils will not be directly applied to my cat, merely residue in areas where she goes. I have searched and searched online for the answer to this question! Thanks so much for your help=)
That sounds like a lot of
That sounds like a lot of essential oil.Your cat should be fine with it as long as you keep him away until everything is thoroughly dried, but I don't 'understand why you would use that amount of essential oil anyway. Basically soap water and vinegar is going to clean your counters perfectly well so you can save your money and be 100% relaxed about your cat :)Personally, I use about 10 drops of lemon essential oil in 1/2 a bucket of water for mopping floors, then keep the cat off till it has dried (if I can!). Hope this is helpful :)
Essential Animals Team
Thanks for the quick reply! I
Thanks for the quick reply! I thought it'd be e-mailed to me or I'd have responded sooner. I basically wanted to mask the strong vinegar scent because my husband doesn't like it. He asks why I'm assaulting his nose every time I clean the sink! I think I'll just put lavender straight in the vinegar and see how that works.
Thanks for your help!
Have you thought of
Have you thought of sprinkling baking soda and then spraying lemon juice in the kitchen sink instead of vinegar? Far more pleasant aroma, at least my hubby thinks so
I want to get rid of the
I want to get rid of the fleas in the bedroom that are biting me every night by using essential oils that are safe for cats as the cat sleeps on the bed. The cat does not have fleas as far as I can determine. I have also determined that it is not bed bugs.
I have read that lemongrass and cedar are safe for cats, but euctalyptus and tea tree oil are not. (However, he likes to hang around the diffuser that has chamomile & euctalyptus).
I've been spraying sheets and blanket with 3 drops cedar & 3 drops lemongrass in 1 pint water. So far it hasn't helped me.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly, Jade
If the cat doesn't have
If the cat doesn't have fleas, wash the bedding in hot water and tumble dry them, this should kill the fleas. If you want to prevent more fleas you can put lavender and lemongrass hydrosol in the fabric conditioner compartment of the washing machine to give a slightly flea repellent effect.
Essential Animals Team
In an attempt to be more
In an attempt to be more "green" and frugal, I'm making my own laundry detergent, 3c. Arm&Hammer washing soda, 3 c. borax, 1 bar Fels-Naptha soap and 20-25 drops of lavender essential oil. As for dryer sheets, I put 10 drops of the lavender essential oil on a washcloth and put it in the dryer with the wet laundry. Will the amount of oil left on our clothes and linens be harmful to our cat?
Hi, it is unlikely that this
Hi, it is unlikely that this level of essential oil would be harmful to your cat. If he/she doesnt like the smell, or feels it is too strong, then he/she will stop sleeping on the bed, assuming there are other options.
Essential Animals Team
Hi, my 3 year old cat is
Hi, my 3 year old cat is getting ticks. I want to use a natural remedy to treat him after i have removed the tick and also as a repellent. Can you offer any advice?
You can mix together
You can mix together hydrosols at 50% dilution in distilled water and spray it on the fur, for example lemongrass and lavender, also neem oil at 1% dilution can be spot applied as a repellent. The best defense against ticks is a strong immune system, my book has more info on all these subjects.
Essential Animals Team
will I have to purchase a
will I have to purchase a whole selection of hydrosols /essential oils for my cat(s) to choose what they need? I have 5 cats, all with different issues!
Thank you
Many aromatics will treat a
Many aromatics will treat a whole range of issues, and you will also find that animals living together often need the same hydrosol/oil even though their issues may seem different on the surface. But whichever way you look at it, if you want to start using aromatics with your animals you will need a few different items, depending on your animals problems. I will be offering 'starter kits' through the website very soon.
Essential Animals Team
My tabby cat, Apollo, has had
My tabby cat, Apollo, has had skin irritations/bumps on his stomach and occasionally his side. The stomach areas are practically bald, and he worries/bites the irritations unless he's wearing a collar to prevent licking and we put medicine on him twice a day. I'm wondering if a diluted melaleuca or frankincense mixture would help with that. It seems from my reading it could be mites or scabies. We saw the vet and they thought it was fleas, but the cat's been treated monthly for 4 months and still has the sores. After treatment with animax, the sores faded, but as soon as we ran out of the medication he started working at them again and now thy're pretty bad. I know my sister, who sells essential oils, recommends melaleuca and frankincense for cuts, skin irritations, pretty much anything of that nature. Just not sure about using it on the cat at the moment. I would think a dilution of 1 drop oil to 50 drops carrier (vegetable?) oil would work but wanted a second opinion. Thanks!
I assume you mean melaleuca
I assume you mean melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree, this is not to be used on cats as it is potentially toxic. As your cat's immune system is obviously compromised I would not use essential oils on him without professional supervision and I would not cover him with vegetable oil either. When a cat suffers like this you need to look at the whole system not just the itching. I suggest you either take him to an holistic veterinarian who can help you adjust diet and suggest ways to reduce itching naturally. Or you can have an on-line consultation with me: http://www.essentialanimals.com/animal-psycharomatica/apa-consultation
Essential Animals Team
You comment that cats
You comment that cats probably contact tea-tree oil in the environment, so may be tolerant of it.
Tea-tree oil comes from an Australian native plant. There are no native felids in Australia, only ferals escaped from European invaders and other immigrants in the last 200 years. Your assumption makes no sense - there is no acquired tolerance in recent escaped pet or farm cats, of course. Further, tea-trees are restricted in occurrence; large tracts of Australia have none.
Avoiding phenols and MENTHOLS is wise, for cat safety, I agree.
What I actually say is that
What I actually say is that cats contact essential oils in the environment, not tea tree oil. I'm sorry if that was unclear to you.
Essential Animals Team
Hi. Is there a cat safe
Hi. Is there a cat safe mixture using lavender oil (fleas hate this stuff, right?) I can use for my bed to repel fleas? I hate hate hate the idea of using pesticides & toxins in the house! Thanks.
My sister has a black and
My sister has a black and white Panda cat named Kirby who is overweight and moving slowly. He is approximately 12 to 15 years old. We are not sure of his age as he was a rescue. She loves him dearly, but lately he has become over weight and has difficulty moving around. Seems like arthritis to us. What essential oils or hydrosols would you recommend for these issues and how should they be administered? Thank you for your time. Concerned Cat Auntie
First of all you need to
First of all you need to reduce his weight. Hydrosols that may be useful include ginger, junperberry and yarrow. Put a few drops in a about 100mls of water and see if he likes it. Seaweed absolute oil can also be helpful (there's a great case study on an arthritic cat using seaweed in my book), dilute 1 drop in ten mls of cold pressed sunflower oil and let him sniff the bottles. Good luck :)
Essential Animals Team
Hi, I have 5 cats and was
Hi, I have 5 cats and was wondering if you could help me. 2 of them are only 4 month old kittens. The kittens showed up with fleas and spread them to my older cats and all over my home. we got the flea stuff from the vet for the kittens because they were separate from the older cats when they first got here and thought we were ok.. but to no avail. Now we are infested.. both home and cats..I want to use essential oils for the cats and for my home. Can you suggest something that I can use on the cats?
You say not to spray anything on them? Is there a health risk for this>? or is it because cats do not like it?
Which oils are the safest to use on them or with them.
which oils are safe to use AROUND THEM?
Thanks so much for your time..
Lisa
Hi, my favourite natural flea
Hi, my favourite natural flea repellent for cats is diatamaceous earth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth). You dust it on (being careful not to breathe it in, or let the cats breathe it in) and you can dust it around the house as well. You can spray hydrosols on a cat, but they really dont like it, spraying essential oils is not safe healthwise. Hope this is helpful, Nayana
Essential Animals Team
make sure to let people know
make sure to let people know that it has to be FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. people really go buy the stuff at home depot and kill their pets. i like neem shampoos too.
This is good info. but where
This is good info. but where does it come from? Is this supported or just some random personal thoughts being repeated or shared? I mean what research is this based on? There must be something... I'd like to read it.
Based on knowledge of how the
Based on knowledge of how the cat's liver functions, which is common veterinary knowledge, understanding the chemical structure of essential oils, and information of adverse reactions to essential oils in cats gathered by veterinarians and aromatherapist. Also, on my years of experience in the field. It is not an area that has much scientifically valid research for obvious reasons, but there is an evergrowing body of knowledge in the field.
Essential Animals Team
I've used Arm & Hammer cat
I've used Arm & Hammer cat litter deodorizer for years and would like to start making my own. I have no idea what's in it. I've been using a wheat grass pellet litter. Obviously the cats lick off whatever's on their paws, and I certainly don't want to poison them (more) with a homemade concoction.
I've been using homemade surface cleaner around the cats for a year or two, 1:1 vinegar/water, mildly scenting it with thyme, cedar and/or rosemary. I haven't observed the cats avoid areas where I've used this stuff, so am wondering if moderate amounts of those oils mixed into a base powder might be okay. (I use lavender, peppermint and orange for deodorizer and the cats might avoid areas treated with that, but it might also be because I scent the deodorizer more strongly than the surface cleaner, or they object to the vodka/water base.)
I haven't been able to find specific A&H litter deodorizer ingredient info but am guessing the base is something like baking soda plus corn starch or similar. Their FAQ suggests their deodorizer moves through the cat GI tract in an inert, undigested manner.
Hopefully this isn't rocket science...
I would use the whole herb
I would use the whole herb rather than essential oil, cedar chips would be my first thought with maybe some powdered lavender, but I have no experience in this area.
Essential Animals Team
My cat has developed a bit of
My cat has developed a bit of sinus problem. I think he may have a cold or sinus infection. He sounds a bit congested in his sinuses. I have therapeutic essential oils, but I am afraid to use them on him. There is mention of hydrosols. What hydrosol should I use for sinus infections in cats? I also have a print out on herbs to use. I thought about making a tincure, but thinking that perhaps a tea from the herbs would be better? Any suggestions?
If your cat has a sinus
If your cat has a sinus problem you can dilute one drop of essential oil such as lavender or lemon in a tablespoon of vegetable oil and let him sniff it if he chooses. You could also diffuse a small amount of appropriate oil into a room with the door open so he can leave if he chooses to. If you want to use hydrosol, try eucalyptus, lavender or thyme linalol a 5 drops to 100 mls to start with.
Essential Animals Team
I was super excited to find a
I was super excited to find a healthier way to use plug-in air fresheners and created my own by refilling the popular plug-ins with essential oils (peppermint and sweet orange). I wasn't aware that it could harm my kitties. Should I not use these?
As long as your cats are not
As long as your cats are not shut in the room with the fragrance and there is fresh air circulating they should be fine. But it is not good for anybody to constantly exposed to essential oils so dont leave the plug in on all the time, just give an occasional blast.
Essential Animals Team
We have 3 cats. I want to
We have 3 cats. I want to put my Great Aunt's handmade hooked rug in front of the front door, but especially one cat uses rug to scratch on. He is pulling the loops out. (We do have a cat tree and other surfaces cats can use for scratching, which they do use.)
Since this small rug is roughly 60 years old, it now needs to be mended with care, and I must figure out a solution to keep cats from ruining it.
I envision a spray in spray bottle- certified organic essential Lavender mixed with water. It would smell good to humans too!
My hope is that the cats would dislike lying on the rug, or scratching it, that they would go elsewhere and leave the rug alone.
What are my chances for success with this? Better suggestion? Brand to use; where find? Is the above type of Lavender the best to use, or is there a safer combination of Lavender or other oil to use for cats, remembering at this oil must be a nice fragerance, and be human-friendly as well.
Thank you for your help. Gini Gould
Oops! Must clarify: I would
Oops! Must clarify: I would spray the hooked rug occasionally, not the cats!! Gini Gould
I never would have thought
I never would have thought tea tree oil was bad for cats. I used one drop on my finger mixed with coconut and rubbed it on the back of my cats neck to help get rid of fleas. Is this going to harm my cats and should I be concerned? I have also rubbed lavendar on my hands and pet a spot on his back to help calm him. These are the only two instances that I've used essential oils on him. Should I be concerned?
Occasional use of highly
Occasional use of highly diluted tea tree oil would probably not harm a healthy cat, dilution, frequency of use and quality of the essential oil all influence toxicity. You should not be concerned with level of use you describe, but especially for calming you dont need to touch your cat, just let them smell diluted oils if it chooses to.
Essential Animals Team
Thank you for the
Thank you for the information.
Hi- I have a cat who is
Hi-
I have a cat who is indoor/outdoor and we've had flea issues before. I've never used a flea collar, but finding something that works once fleas take hold is impossible unless going with the spot ons. Something else that goes against my grain.
Anyway, I found this product that sounds good, but wanted to see if you have heard of it and what you think even just from reading the product description?
I am working on a blog that mostly shows off my found and dumped kitty. But I also would like to use it as an educational tool. But I want to keep it honest and ethical too.
Here's the link to the product I found.
http://www.wondercide.com/evolv-natural-flea-tick-treatment.html
Thanks for any info you can help me with. And just to add, I am not an affiliate, in fact I don't think that's even an option with this company.
Laura
Hi- Sorry, I changed the url
Hi-
Sorry, I changed the url I posted previously. It's updated here. Just wanted you to know I do exist. :) Sorry for the inconvenience.
Laura
I have heard Lavendar oil
I have heard Lavendar oil deters fleas. I purchased some because some websites recommend it. But now I find that essential oils can harm cats. Can I put a couple drops of the oil in water in a mister and mist our mattress, then put the sheet on top of that? Our fleas are out of control! I also bought Tea Tree oil, I know that isn't safe for the cats but I had heard to put it in my body wash so I don't get bitten by fleas? Is this okay? I have always used tea tree shampoo and don't think that has affected the kitties.
You could try misting the
You could try misting the mattress, but it would probably not work at that dilution, if your fleas are out of control. Get the fleas under control with chemicals then prevent them naturally. Diatamaceous earth (food grade!) and neem oil are the best natural flea repellents I know of for cats.
Essential Animals Team
I have two cats. One of them
I have two cats. One of them is a 14 -year old. She has started to scratch her face and loosing hair. I've been feeding raw meat and she's been pretty healthy. But I think her energy got low these days. I'm not sure if her energy and her skin irritation is related. I put some Sea Buckthorn oil in the spot in her face and give her some wheat grass juice (very little) with syringe.
I'm not sure if I'm doing right.
One more question is I put a few drops of catnip essential oil blended with 30ml water and sprayed to the scratch post. However they don't have much reaction. Should I put more catnip oil in the water?
Thank you
Does she have fleas? This
Does she have fleas? This could be a flea allergy. Anyway, I would have a vet look at her and possibly take a blood sample to see if there is anything going on that you cant see as she is an older cat. Are you feeding enough heart and liver in her raw meat?
Re: catnip, what are you trying to accomplish with the spray?
Essential Animals Team
My cat has just been
My cat has just been diagnosed with mycobacterium (cutaneous) from a simple scratch. Antibiotics were effective after 5 wk treatment but it came back when drugs stopped. This time vet is prescribing lifetime of antibiotics to control after we find out results of sensitivity profile. I use essential oils in the house so have some familiarity. What oils could I use for cat's immune system and anti-fungal as a supplement? Thank you for your help, this is a young cat and a lifetime of antibiotics sounds awful.
There are essential oils
There are essential oils that could help but I would need to do a consultation with you (http://www.essentialanimals.com/animal-psycharomatica/apa-consultation) to best advise in a complex condition such as and would feel happier if you were also supported by an holistic vet who can help with herbs and acupuncture. I agree that a lifetime of antibiotics sounds grim and I am sure the condition can be managed holistically.
Essential Animals Team
Hello; My 2 year old cat has
Hello;
My 2 year old cat has a urinary track disorder and is urinating around the house. Is there a safe oil to use to keep him calm and get him back to the litter box. He is seeing a vet regularily and is now on an anti-inflammatory/pain medication.
I would offer carrotseed, or
I would offer carrotseed, or bergamot, or lavender, diluted 1 drop in 10 mls of cold pressed vegetable oil, or even better leave down a hydrosol, see my book for full instructions on use.
Essential Animals Team
My 2 year old cat has started
My 2 year old cat has started to pee outside the box, at first just outside the door of litter box, but last few days, has peed on the wall in an entryway, and I have noticed a pee smell in our bedroom, but can't find a spot that smells like it's the spot. We had changed the litter brand, but once this started, switched back. The problem has gotten worse, not better. No major changes at home. You mention some calming essential oils. Does this work for my cat's issue? If so where do I spray it and how much do I use if I dilute in water and put in spray bottle? The only other pet is our cat's sister, and they get along great.