Are essential oils safe for cats? Take extreme caution when choosing essential oils for felines. Some essential oils work best when diffused, whilst others offer more health benefits when topically applied.
However, know that many essential oils are lethal to felines. Keep your cat safe by learning which varieties of essential oils are safe for her and how to use them appropriately.
Essential Oils Safe to Diffuse for Cats
1. Lavender Essential Oil for Cats
Is lavender safe for cats? Lavender carries compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which are potentially toxic to felines.
However, in its essential oil form, the concentrations of these substances are relatively low if diluted properly.
Diffusing lavender essential oil around cats has a relaxing effect on them.
It helps lower anxiety and stress levels as well as improve their sleep.
When diluting lavender essential oil for diffusing, mix 1 drop with 9 parts of carrier oil for cats up to 9 kilos.
Although some sources advise the topical application of lavender essential oil to remedy feline skin issues, we do not recommend doing so. They might lick the essential oil off of their skin and ingest the harmful compounds it carries.
2. Cardamom Essential Oil for Cats
Cardamom essential oil aids in relieving respiratory issues in cats. Its scent also helps provide a sense of calmness to anxious or stressed felines.
The recommended dilution ratio for diffusion is 1 drop of cardamom essential oil to 120 ml of water.
3. Copaiba Essential Oil for Cats
Copaiba is one of the safest essential oils for cats. It has several health benefits in store for them, such as enhancing their respiratory function, alleviating stress, and improving their skin and coat quality.
Diffusing copaiba essential oil is the ideal way to use it on cats. Always observe the proper dilution ratio to avoid unwanted side effects.
Topical application is an option too. The recommended topical dilution ratio is 1 drop of copaiba per 80–100 drops of carrier oil. Then, rub 1 drop of this mixture on the affected area.
4. Jasmine Essential Oil for Cats
Jasmine essential oil works as a mood booster and stress reliever. Pet parents may find it useful for cats suffering from depression or anxiety.
Preventing and minimising seizure attacks is another perk jasmine essential oil offers to felines. When diluting jasmine essential oil, add 3–5 drops of it to an ounce of carrier oil.
Essential Oils That Are Safe for Topical Use on Cats
1. Chamomile Essential Oil for Cats
Chamomile essential oil eases anxiety and promotes relaxation in cats. It is suitable for restless, irritable, or hyperactive felines. Cats struggling to catch some sleep can also benefit from chamomile essential oil.
Make sure to dilute chamomile essential oil before using it topically on your cat. Combine a drop of it with 10 drops of carrier oil. Apply the diluted essential oil to your cat’s pads and ears.
2. Frankincense Essential Oil for Cats
Frankincense essential oil carries antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help hasten wound healing. It is also believed to soothe digestive issues, alleviate stress, and relieve arthritic pains in cats.
The dilution ratio of frankincense essential oil for topical use is 1 drop to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. This applies to cats under 9 kilos.
3. Helichrysum Essential Oil for Cats
Helichrysum essential oil is made up of several disinfectant properties. It is antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial.
Thus, applying helichrysum essential oil to your cat’s wounds helps reduce any inflammation, hinders bleeding, and aids in healing.
4. Rosemary Essential Oil for Cats
Rosemary essential oil makes an excellent flea repellent for cats. You can place 1–2 drops of the essential oil in a pitcher full of water and then mix.
Then, pour this mixture on your feline friend. Allow it to dry without rinsing. If your cat is not fond of taking baths, spray a diluted mixture of rosemary essential oil on her collar instead.
5. Juniper berry Essential Oil for Cats
Juniper berry essential has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great antiseptic for cats. It can be used to treat minor wounds and combat skin blemishes.
However, juniper berry essential oil should only function as a temporary remedy.
The topical application dilution ratio is 1 drop of juniper berry essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil for cats under 9 kilos. Make sure to apply it in minimal amounts to avoid side effects like redness and inflammation from occurring.
6. Cedarwood Essential Oil for Cats
Cedarwood essential oil is a safe and effective flea and tick deterrent for cats. Before applying it topically, mix 1 drop of the essential oil with 80–100 drops of carrier oil. Then, place a drop of it on your cat’s collar to keep pesky insects away.
Essential Oils That Are Dangerous to Cats
1. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil is highly concentrated with phenols and terpenoids. Both of these compounds are difficult for cats to metabolise. They can cause toxicosis, which may result in irreversible liver damage.
For this reason, pet parents should avoid using oregano essential oil on their cats topically or internally.
2. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Diffusion, topical, and internal use of cinnamon essential oil on cats is greatly discouraged. Cinnamon contains phenols, which can induce poisoning in felines.
Some of its known side effects are vomiting, diarrhoea, and abnormal heart rate. When applied to your cat’s skin, it can trigger rashes and potential allergic reactions.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil has phenols and ketones, making it dangerous to cats. Ingesting it in large amounts or prolonged exposure through diffusion can lead to poisoning.
It can wreck their digestive and nervous systems as well as cause liver damage.
4. Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
High levels of phenols are stored in ylang-ylang essential oil. If cats ingest or come into contact with it, they are at risk of developing toxicosis.
5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Is eucalyptus safe for cats? Eucalyptus is a dangerous plant to cats, as ingesting or inhaling it can result in vomiting, weakness, and diarrhoea. Skin contact with eucalyptus may cause rashes.
Its essential oil is also toxic to cats. Thus, diffusion and topical use is not recommended. Internal usage must be avoided as well since this can cause poisoning. Skin contact with eucalyptus oil can lead cats to suffer from chemical burns.
6. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil can be used in aromatherapy to boost the moods of stressed cats. However, topical application is discouraged. If the chemicals found in bergamot essential oil interact with sunlight, it may potentially bring about skin irritation, blisters, and rashes.
7. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Some pet parents use tea tree oil to prevent tick infestation on their cats. However, this should be avoided as tea tree contains several harmful compounds to cats, including camphene, linalool, alpha-terpinene, and terpinolene.
Ingestion and topical use can lead to toxicosis. It is commonly accompanied by hypersalivation, vomiting, and, in worst cases, seizures.
Also, note that tea tree is not one of the cat-safest essential oils for cleaning, but it is a common ingredient in cleaning products. Thus, pet owners should be very cautious in choosing brands.
Always check the ingredients list and make sure it is free from any harmful essential oils to cats, such as tea trees.
8. Thyme Essential Oil
Dangerous compounds such as linalool and phenols can be found in thyme essential oil. Applying it topically on cats can cause skin irritation.
Ingestion or inhalation of thyme essential oil may also result in harmful side effects, including vomiting and seizures.
9. Wintergreen Essential Oil
Methyl salicylate is present in wintergreen essential oil, which provides pain-relieving properties. However, whilst this compound is safe for humans, it can induce aspirin poisoning in felines.
10. Sweet Birch Essential Oil
Similar to wintergreen, sweet birch essential oil is toxic to felines due to its methyl salicylate compound. Both oral and topical application is discouraged as they can lead cats to develop kidney and liver damage.
11. Clove essential oil
Clove essential oil carries eugenol, which is highly toxic to cats. If ingested or applied on the skin, it can impede felines’ liver and nervous system functions. It can cause debilitating health issues like depression and liver injuries.
12. Pennyroyal Essential Oil
Some pet owners use pennyroyal essential oil to prevent flea and tick infestation in cats. However, it is not a safe choice. Applying pennyroyal essential oil on felines’ coat and skin can cause dermatitis.
When ingested or inhaled, it can cause lethargy, vomiting, and weakness. In extreme cases, respiratory issues, liver failure, seizures, and haemorrhage may occur.
Tips on How to Safely Use Essential Oils on Cats
Diffusing or applying essential oils to your feline friend should be done with caution. Although there are cat-safe essential oils, careless usage can incite undesirable side effects such as respiratory irritation.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when using essential oils on your cats:
1. Check the label before purchasing essential oil.
Make sure to get a 100% pure essential oil product that is both therapeutic-grade and tested. Moreover, it should be free from pesticides and heavy metals.
Thus, look for the words “organic,” “unsprayed,” or “wildcrafted.” It would also be better if the country of origin of the essential oil is stated on the label.
2. Set a time limit.
Avoid overdoing your cat’s exposure to diffused oil, as the scent can become overpowering. Only diffuse for short sessions; around 10–15 minutes will do. Then, wait for about 2 hours to clear out the scent if you want diffuse essential oil again.
3. Provide an easy way out.
Never lock your cat inside a room when diffusing essential oil. Leave the door open so that she can easily walk out and get some fresh air if the scent becomes overwhelming for her.
It is also a good idea to have a window open when diffusing as a means of ventilation.
4. Take caution when using diffusers.
There are 2 types of essential oil diffusers, namely active diffusers and passive diffusers. Active diffusers, such as nebulising diffusers, pump essential oil into the air, producing microdroplets in the process.
They can stick on your cat’s coat, which risks getting ingested when they are grooming themselves.
For this reason, keep your cat’s exposure to diffused essential oils minimal. Do not go over the recommended diffusing time. This applies to ultrasonically diffused essential oils as well.
Passive diffusers such as reed diffusers, on the other hand, release less fragrance and do not emit essential oils directly into the air. It is a more cat-friendly essential oil diffuser since there is less danger of the diffused oil clinging onto your cat’s fur.
The biggest risk to watch out for when using a passive diffuser is the danger of it getting tipped over and spilling. Prevent accidents like this from happening by placing the diffuser in a secure area where your cat cannot reach.
5. Keep your hands clean.
Avoid handling your cat after using essential oils as its residues are still on your hands. Make it a habit to thoroughly wash your hands after coming into contact with essential oils.
On a side note, if you dripped essential oil on a surface, give it a good wipedown to keep your cat from coming into contact with it. Also, store essential oils in an area that is inaccessible to your cat to avoid spillage.
6. Use an E-collar.
Topically applied essential oils can be easily licked off by cats. Prevent your feline friend from doing so by letting her wear an E-collar. Covering the affected area with a clean cloth or gauze is also a good idea.
Look Out for Essential Oil Poisoning
If your cat has ingested or been exposed to potent amounts of essential oil, toxicity may occur. Some of the common signs to watch out for are:
- Lethargy
- Inflamed mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Watery eyes and nose
- Vomiting
- Hypersalivation
- Tremors
If your feline friend shows symptoms of essential oil poisoning, it calls for prompt medical treatment. It would be best to contact the pet poison helpline to get advice on managing this condition.
Never ignore signs of essential oil poisoning. Delayed vet care may result in developing life-threatening health complications, such as liver failure.
