Aromatherapy is extremely popular among people who are interested in the concept of regaining health and balance using the power of nature. These substances, which are concentrated power of a given plant that smells like it, are compelling and beneficial to humans. However, cat owners must be cautious about what oils they use in their oil burners, during oil baths, or even when preparing homemade cosmetics. I don't own a cat myself, but I regularly take care of my grandmother's furry friend. :) Because I am very enthusiastic about essential oils and I always use them for skin care, health improvement, cleaning, and for other purposes, I'm always cautious when I take him to my place.
Phenols – substances that are highly toxic to your pet
If you have a cat, you certainly want it to live as long as possible and protect it from the harmful effects of many external factors. Sometimes, however, you may not recognize the danger, and products that are beneficial to you can be deadly to your cat.
Not every oil will be dangerous for your cat. The worst are primarily those oils that consist largely of phenols. Phenols are substances that can even be dangerous to humans if oils containing them are used frequently and in large quantities. The human liver removes them, but it does so slowly. If too many phenols are supplied to the body, at some point their concentration in the body will be so high that the liver will not be able to remove them, which is very dangerous to health and life.
Nevertheless, the human body produces enzymes that can remove phenols from the body, even if the process is slow. Unfortunately, cats lack these enzymes, which is why some essential oils are highly toxic to them. Cats also lack the enzymes responsible for breaking down other substances in essential oils, but it is phenols that are the most dangerous. Essential oils that are dangerous to cats can even lead to their death, which is largely due to these compounds.
What are the risks to your cat if it comes into contact with oils that are dangerous to it?
Alarming symptoms of oil poisoning in cats include watery eyes and nasal discharge. Your cat may also start drooling and often begins to vomit. Its blood pressure drops, and its heart rate slows down significantly.
Breathing difficulties also occur. The cause of death in cats poisoned by oils is most typically complete liver failure, which is unable to cleanse the body of the substances contained in the oil, accumulating them until it can no longer function.
Which oils should you avoid if you have a cat?
Essential oils are dangerous to cats in any form, and any contact with them can end badly – whether it is inhalation or, even more so, oral ingestion. Oils that are on the blacklist are best eliminated from the environment altogether.
• Citrus oils (including lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot)
• Tea tree oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Peppermint oil
• Pine oil
• Ylang-ylang oil
• Clove oil
• Lavender oil
Avoid adding them to an aromatherapy diffuser, spraying them in the environment, or using them to prepare homemade cleaning products. If possible, also avoid making your own cosmetics with these oils and adding them to baths.
Which essential oils are safe for cats?
The good news is that there are powerful essential oils that you can use without worrying too much about your pet's health. However, it is still necessary to take precautions. Unfortunately, each manufacturer's essential oil contains different concentrations of various substances, including phenols. The ideal solution would be to buy oils for which the manufacturer specifies their composition and the proportions of individual substances, but this is often a problem.
Essential oils that are safe for cats include:
• lemon balm oil
• fennel oil
• jasmine oil
• rose oil
• thyme oil
• sage oil
When using them, it is best to follow certain safety rules. It is best not to use them when your cat is in the same room. If you want to use them in an oil burner, it is best to close your cat in an adjacent room. Also, do not apply essential oils to your body if you plan to cuddle and pet your cat shortly afterward, or have any other close contact with it.
If you have a cat, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you have any doubts about using a particular oil, ask a good veterinarian. They will be well aware of which substances are dangerous to cats, and even if they cannot give you an answer right away, they will be able to check in specialist literature or check the ingredients of the oil and give you an answer at your next visit or over the phone.