Safe Essential Oils for Cats. Because of this, probably very few essential oils are safe for cats … Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats. Certified aromatherapists are more likely to place it on their “safe” list, while animal hospitals seem more likely to place it on the “unsafe” list. Peppermint oil for dogs can also be used to cool sore muscles and soothe upset stomachs. Because of this, we researched the toxicity of essential oils to cats. Is Peppermint Oil Safe for Cats? No, peppermint oil is NOT SAFE for cats. 5. 5 Never use peppermint oil for fleas on cats. From the above discussion, you know that spearmint oil is not safe for cats because it has essential oils, including limonene, dihydrocarvona, 1,8-cineol, and many others, some of which are poisonous to kitties. Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. Symptoms include fever, fast or labored breathing and a rapid heart rate. Studies indicate that using this essential oil in extremely large dosages are known to have grave negative impacts on the user, including muscular weakness, brain damages and seizures. When essential oils are used in fragrance diffusers, the oils are widely distributed within a room. Cats Only: Basil Juniper Birch Cinnamon Eucalyptus Fennel Tea Tree/Melaleuca Oregano Peppermint Citrus Oils. Before we look at what scents are safe for cats, you should know which ones to avoid. Here are some safe essential oils for cats. However, several scientific studies have concluded that peppermint oil is extremely dangerous for cats. Another oil that appears controversial for use around dogs is peppermint essential oil. Cedarwood Oil. Storage. Phenol is a corrosive organic compound that is a natural part of peppermint essential oil. Cats are Sensitive to Certain Essential Oils Researchers have identified two major categories of essential oils that are more dangerous to cats than other mammals (such as humans, dogs or horses). There are many contradictions on the internet regarding its use on felines, leaving pet parents confused. Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are toxic to pets. Cats are especially sensitive to many essential oils and even just a couple of licks can be harmful. Sweet Basil essential oil is an effective essential oil to use as an air freshener and is safe to use around your cats. Essential oils safe to use topically on cats … Diffusion is preferred for cats. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. Essential oils that are known to cause poisoning in cats include oil of wintergreen, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil (d-limonene), pine oils, Ylang Ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, pennyroyal oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil. This includes peppermint oil and other mints that are presented in the form of essential oils. I use frankincense sometimes, but is frankincense oil safe for cats? This essential oil is void of phenol and thus certified safe to diffuse around cats. Somewhat similar to peppermint oil in terms of its scent and uses, spearmint oil can really come in handy with cats for a lot of different concerns, including nausea and diarrhea. Thank you, Jess Miles, for your question: Is peppermint oil safe for cats? I hope you have not used peppermint oil with your cat in the meantime. Not every essential oil is bad for your kitty, the ones with a low phenol content are safe to use for daily skincare and aroma. Read on for 6 essential oil safety tips to keep your cat safe (without throwing away all your essential oils). Essential oils can be harmful to cats – especially if they are used neat rather than diluted. As for cats, the essential oils that aren’t safe to use are eucalyptus, clove, lavender, spruce, cassia, lemon, birch, and more. The most toxic undiluted essential oils for cats are: Cinnamon oil; Eucalyptus oil; Peppermint oil; Tea tree oil; Citrus oil; Pine oils; Clove oil; Pennyroyal oil; Click here for a full list of oils to avoid, plus, learn which ones are safe! As for a related question you may be wondering: Is peppermint oil safe for cats? Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin OR used in diffusers. Because an essential oil is so concentrated, the natural enzymes in them can be anywhere from 500 to even 2000 times stronger than the original plant. Because essential oils feature highly concentrated substances, they are not recommended for use with cats. They suggest that using a diffuser in an area inaccessible to your pets for a short period is "not likely to be an issue." A cat's liver is simply incapable of breaking down the chemicals in essential oils. The recommended dilution for full sized cats is 1 drop of essential oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. What we found was a lot of contradictory information, with some sources claiming that all essential oils are toxic to cats. Cats are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, and effects such as gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression and even liver damage could occur if ingested in significant quantities. The Best Essential Oil Brands for Cats. Just always make sure they can leave the room if they do not like them. Lavender For kittens, just 1 drop of essential oil to 4 tbsp carrier oil. 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. The ASPCA cites essential oils as one of the most common toxic causes of tremors in cats. Essential oils safe to diffuse around cats … Any doTERRA oils are safe to diffuser around your cat. Phenol is considered highly toxic to cats. Warning However, compelling evidence has now demonstrated that essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. The essential oils not safe for dogs are garlic, clover, oregano, rosemary, thyme, tea tree, and wintergreen oil. Whether diffusing essential oils is safe for pets is slightly more complicated than a simple "yes," or "no," says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Whether or not essential oils are toxic to cats… Obtained from cedarwood oil, it doesn’t contain phenol and is considered safe … So, if you’re using essential oils at home you should be aware if they will affect your cats or not. If you are experiencing nausea, difficulty in breathing, slowed heartbeat, dizziness, and/or convulsions, then it could be because of using peppermint oil. The risk with toiletries or cosmetics that only contain a very small amount of an essential oil is low, but always check with your vet if you’re not sure about the risk to your cat. So find out which essential oils are safe (or toxic) for your pet cat. Spearmint oil. It’s recommended using peppermint oil topically for dogs by adding it to dog-friendly shampoos. Here are Some Essential Oils that are Safe to Diffuse around Cats Some of these essential oils are void of the organic compound phenol and if any is however present, then it must have reduced in terms of its concentration to a level where it is bearable for cats.. Cedarwood Essential Oil. While it might be extremely hard to get an essential oils kit that is strictly designed for cats, you can buy a normal set and dilute the oils to the optimum level for cats. Frankincense essential oil is one of the best oils to help you relax after a long day. This essential oil is more dangerous than the plant itself. “Diffused oils … Treat cats like they are a newborn baby and always remember that less is more. I apologize for my delay in responding to you. Peppermint essential oil has been used as a disinfectant by veterinarians in the past, however the oil is high in phenol. Certain essential oils were once considered to be safe for cats and were recommended for such uses as treating ear mite infestations, upper respiratory problems and for stress relief. To get straight to the point, frankincense isn’t safe for cats… Because many of the oils commonly purchased in stores can be toxic to cats, if a cat breathes in a harmful oil, it may cause respiratory irritation. Always dilute the essential oils. Here is a list of some common essential oils that are known to be toxic to cats: Birch Cinnamon (cassia) Citrus oils including Bergamot Clove Evergreens including Pine and Spruce Lavender (cheap perfume and camphorous types) Oregano Peppermint Sage Tea Tree oil Thyme Wintergreen Any other oils containing phenols This is the best way to ensure you’re using essential oils safe for cats. Cats have a unique genetic make-up that gives pause to the use of aromatherapy around them. 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