Cats are excellent climbers. As they fall, these droplets can adhere to her coat, and she could ingest them later as she cleans herself with her tongue. Lumbar pillows provide much needed support to a vulnerable part of the spine. Applying essential oil on the pet’s fur or skin is not advised. This diffuser is designed to be as sleek as possible, making it a welcome and discreet addition to any room in your house. They help pet owners control the movement of … The most common technique to receive the benefits of aromatherapy on cats though, is through diffusing essential oils through a diffuser. 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. However, if your pet has a history of breathing problems, it may be best to avoid using one altogether. In general, there are certain kinds of diffusers that are more pet-friendly than others. Arguably the best, most kitty-centric feature of this diffuser? Though it can have energizing and anti-cancer effects in low concentrations, it’s toxic in higher concentrations. Cats can easily knock these diffusers over, spilling their contents onto the floor or dampening their fur to a dangerous degree. This allows you to stretch your essential oils even further and dilutes the oil for a longer period of time. Remember how certain oils are toxic to your kitty because of the phenols they contain? Posted by 2 days ago. Looking for a new diffuser for your home? The same applies if you pet your cat right after using your diffuser when your hands might be coated with a little oil. Keep your cat away from diffusers. What to do about exposure? These allow you to drip a few droplets of your preferred essential oil into a reservoir of water, immediately diluting the oil and rendering it not as potent. 10) Avoid low quality, adulterated or synthetic oils to be sure your cat doesn’t develop liver toxicity. Owners should be cautious using essential oils and diffusers in their homes in order to protect their cat(s) from a toxic risk. You do not have to discard your oil diffuser just because you bring a kitten home or you want to add a cat to the family! Airborne oils and particles that come from passive diffusers such as reed, heath, and motorized diffusers can eventually land on the fur of your cat. When we speak about cats ingesting essential oils, it's important to understand what we mean. You do not have to totally abandon your practice of diffusing them in your home! This way, you can reap all of the oil diffusion benefits without any of the worry. It has a calming effect, so it’s great for car rides, vet visits or other commonly stressful situations. Kittens, elderly cats, or cats who have liver or respiratory problems should be kept out of any room where essential oil diffusers are used. It is also a great flea repellant. "She's back at 8 pounds and has been maintaining her weight," she said. According to APCC, not necessarily. Just try to limit your cat's exposure, or only run your diffuser for a short amount of time. Clary sage essential oil - It is an excellent choice for you to relax and rejuvenate without any … If ingested in high amounts, these oils could trigger a range of health conditions in your cat. In addition, your cat can also inhale any oils that are suspended in the air around your home. For the most part cats and essential oils don't really mix. The key is understanding how your pet's sensitive nose reacts to different oils. Just make sure to close the door behind you and put all of the equipment away when it's not in use. Comments must be approved before appearing. Much of the fear that has come out against essential oil usage around cats comes from the plants that are deemed as toxic if your cat were to eat it. Diffuse oils in a place where there is proper ventilation no matter the kind of essential oil you use. Essential oils can be harmful for dogs too. Thankfully, you don't have to second-guess your next purchase or wonder if you've chosen the wrong bottle. You do not have to discard your oil diffuser just because you bring a kitten home or you want to add a cat to the family! Thus, think twice when setting your diffuser in place. Essential Oil Facts — And Common Sense. If you are using essential oils specifically for your pets and are applying them onto their skin you should use a carrier oil (liquid coconut oil or olive oil work well) to dilute and slow down the absorption of the oil. You also don't have to wonder if your cat is ingesting too much oil because you went to work and left it running. Can Cats Be Near Essential Oils? Let's take a look at a few features that make it exceptionally cat-friendly. If you're unable to make the appointment quite yet, you can also call the ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for guidance on what to do next. Or, they could take a while to manifest. Ellen Scott Thursday 11 Jan 2018 5:23 pm. You can review affects and dangers of specific essential oils … Avoid direct contact with the cat's skin. Lavender essential oil Just like in humans, lavender oil eases pain, tension and anxiety in cats. It can be incredibly dangerous and even lead to poisoning. You already know the plentiful health benefits of running your oil diffuser. Using an oil diffuser for a short time period in a secured area— one that your dog or cat cannot access—is not likely to be an issue. If you need to freshen the air quickly, you can also choose from a high mist output of 50mL per hour. The higher the concentration of … Also, your dog or cat might lick the oil … Using essential oils through the diffusion method has been one effective way to do so. Advice on buying essential oils for cats Klimas got rid of her essential oil diffuser and saw her beloved cat return to normal. Due to the concentrated nature of essential oils, toxic buildup of these components occurs and can ultimately be fatal. To maintain their distinct scent, these oils contain much higher concentrations of certain compounds, including phenols. If you’re new to essential oil diffusers or you’re thinking about getting one, you’re going to be incredibly happy. If you use reed diffusers, plugin diffusers or a nebuliser for essential oils, try to keep your cat out of those particular rooms. These products are great to have if you want your cat to go back to their litter box. Are you one of them? I was thinking of getting one but I remember hearing that they can be toxic for cats. “Diffused oils … Otherwise, you run the risk of your cat finding the perfect perch, taking a perfect swing, and catapulting everything to the floor. The answer lies in the phenols that some oils contain. Want to outfit your home with cushy, plush accessories? When it comes to oil diffusers and cats, less exposure is best. You can also take your diffuser to work and enjoy it at the office if allowed. Cats and oil diffusers can cohabitate. For instance, you might apply what you know about the healing properties of tea tree oil and rub some into your cat's ears to help combat infection. Essential oils can be great natural alternatives for treating a wide array of health concerns without having to resort to expensive and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals. They offer a cheap and easily accessible way of spreading oils. Cats also have difficulty metabolizing d-limonene, a terpene found in many citrus essential oils. Most importantly, concentrated essential oils should never be directly applied to cats. Though these can be beautiful and decorative, they also pose a major health and safety risk. Start by adding 3 to 5 drops of the essential oil into the diffuser and observe the cat. There are plenty of incredible oils that are safe to use around your cat. If you’ve already used essential oils on/around your cat, don’t worry! When essential oils are actively diffused, tiny little oil droplets are inhaled and enter the lungs. While any animal can potentially have an … If your cat has a health condition that you want guidance about, always talk to your veterinarian about recommended options. An essential oil diffuser, on the other hand, is one of the safest health and wellness products you can have in your home. If so, you know the joy that your favorite feline brings into your life! Even if you think your oil diffuser is safe on a high shelf, it might be no match for her pouncing prowess. Make sure any space where you’ve had essential oils diffusing into the air is well ventilated before letting your cat back in. A cat coming into contact with oil-soaked reeds suffered awful chemical burns. 2 2. If you diffuse essential oils and notice any of these health conditions, go ahead and take your cat in for an emergency vet visit. Researchers have studied these connections for years and know the precise dos and don'ts! Essential oils have many uses for cats as well as other animals. Are essential oil diffusers safe for cats? Like oil and water, essential oils and cats really do not mix. She may appreciate the break. The same holds true for candles, room sprays, plug-in air fresheners, and liquid potpourri products. Note that these symptoms could appear very quickly. 9) Give your cat an essential oil break on occasion. It is one of the safer methods to administer essential oils on your cat, though essential oil diffusers can still pose threats to a cat either directly or indirectly. The scent of peppermint oil is invigorating and shown to improve your focus! Candle Diffusers spread essential oils into a room by using a candle’s heat. Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets, especially to cats. Of course, you aren't actively dropping the oils onto your kitty's tongue! Over time, while humans have enjoyed the beneficial results of oils in improving overall health, people also started using them on animals to see if they also create wonderful impacts on animals. If you've recently started using essential oils, you might be wondering about the relationship between oil diffusers and cats. Not all cats will not have the same reaction to essential oil or any other scented substance. Essential Oil Diffusers Are Harmful To Cats. This way, you can help make sure your cat isn't ingesting too much without your knowledge. If you're used to diffusing your essential oils all throughout the day, your cat could ingest a substantial amount of those phenols. Usually, these are tiny droplets that dissipate in a matter of seconds so you never really notice them. Diffusing essential oils around pets may cause or worsen respiratory or liver problems in certain cats and other pets, so use them with caution. Take your pet, along with the product packaging, to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect exposure to a noxious essential oil. The Danger of Hydrosols Hydrosols are often touted as a more natural, safer alternative to essential oils. First, let's deliver the good news. Nor do you have to send your cat outside when you're ready to freshen your home with a new scent. Check out our Wood Essential Oil Diffuser. Before you make any purchase, take the time to read the label on the bottle. Dogs, bunnies, and other common household pets are also at risk if you don't follow certain safety precautions. You know your cat better than anyone else does. We don’t recommend using an essential oil diffuser with cats, rabbits, birds, fish and other small animals close by. Often, this requires carefully reviewing the types of products that you bring into your home, double-checking each one to make sure it's pet-friendly. Advice. However, in delicate health or with respiratory conditions such as airborne allergies , asthma, and even those exposed to long-term second-hand smoke, cats with … These include gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, and central nervous system depression. Not only is this high-output diffuser offered at an economical price point, but it's full of innovative features that make it remarkably feline-friendly. Cats, for example, can experience liver damage from exposure to essential oils. These are compounds that occur naturally in certain plants. Essential oils to deter cats from peeing play an important role, not just in diffusing bad smells but also in keeping cats from peeing in the wrong place. When an essential oil is made from that plant, the phenols are found in heavy concentrations. In fact, there are even varieties that can help treat and even heal your kitty's minor ailments, such as ear mite infections. If this happens, there is the possibility that a cat might ingest spilled oils, which Bailey warns against. Rather than packing up your diffuser forever, just keep these important safety tips in mind. Safe Essential Oils for Cats. As such, specific plant components are found in varying degrees across various kinds. I tried looking into it but I was seeing a lot of different results and hard to get a concrete answer. However, if your cat happens to be strutting by at the right time, she could rub her fur up against that droplet, or even against the diffuser. In addition, this diffuser also boasts a sizable 400mL tank. Warning! Occasionally cats will die from exposure to tea tree oil thanks to organ failure. Anyone have any insight? But there is a vast difference between a cat eating a large amount of a toxic plant, such as lemongrass, and being exposed to lemongrass essential oil that is being diffused in a room of the home. As a result, concentrated essential oils should never be directly applied to cats. Are there special precautions you should take before filing your reservoir? Don't wear aromatherapy jewelry when you are around your cat. Moreover, each manufacturer is different in the way they process and create their oils. While harmless to us, these phenols require a special enzyme for metabolization that cats don't have. Contact with certain essential oils should be avoided and used with caution in diffusers due to their chemical properties. Its slim size is also advantageous to your cat, as it's less likely to get knocked over by a flapping tail or curious paw! Today, we're diving into ways to use your diffuser safely, so you and your beloved cat can both enjoy the therapeutic benefits of this household hobby! The key is understanding how your pet's sensitive nose reacts to different oils. Veterinarians don’t recommend it either. 8) Avoid reed diffusers. Keep cats out of rooms with a high concentration of essential oils (when paint thinner is used, floors are washed, or diffusers are used without open windows, for example). It would be reasonable to assume then that essential oil benefits could work just as well for our pets. A few of these include helping with wounds, ticks, fleas, dog anxiety, mosquitos, ear mites, and much more. We've got you covered. Keep a close eye on her throughout the day and monitor her for any signs of toxic poisoning. That way, if your kitty does wander into off-limits territory, the threat is still eliminated. With this model, you never have to worry if you left the house and forgot to unplug your diffuser. As long as you aren't running your machine in a small, unventilated room for the entire day, the oils listed as generally safe should be appropriate to use. Other oils are safe because the plants they're derived from are safe and considered non-toxic to pets. Traveling for long periods of time can be uncomfortable. When essential oils are used in fragrance diffusers, the oils are widely distributed within a room. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. If you plan to run your diffuser all day, you can choose a low mist output of 30mL per hour. Texas CREWS (PDF), Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS), Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology (VTPP), VERO (CVMBS + West Texas A&M Partnership), Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Mint (Including wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint). Essential oil diffusers also pose the hazard of tipping over. Veterinarian, Beth Malinich told Fox News, “They just don’t mix. Choose a location where your cat cannot access it, such as on a bookshelf without a spot to land. Next, let's take a look at the oils to avoid using around your cat. While the plants in the above list are generally considered safe, it's always best to check with your veterinarian before buying or diffusing a new oil. Check out our full selection of products today and contact us with any questions. Lemongrass essential oil - You can find in the form of a 100% non-alcoholic hydrosol. Contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested an essential oil and discontinue the use of any essential oil that causes irritation or discomfort for your kitty. Is it OK to diffuse your bedtime lavender when Kitty is in the room? If using essential oil with cats, do be extra careful. Cats and oil diffusers can cohabitate. The most common symptoms for cats exposed to essential oils, she said, were drooling, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing. The oils can cause some severe liver problems.” It can cause an adverse reaction. If you decide to diffuse essential oils in your home, it's wise to choose a diffuser that can help keep your kitty as safe as possible. The North American Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Experts has explored essential oils safe for cats, as well as many veterinarians and pet wellness explorers. The timing options include: When your diffuser is running, you can also control the level of mist it's delivering. Essential oils and aroma diffusers are dangerous for your cats. Yet, it's critical to practice caution when using it around your precious furbabies. Specifically, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and oil of wintergreen, among others, have been known to cause poisoning in cats. Nearly 30% of Americans own a cat. As always, when it comes to your beloved pets, err on the side of caution, and thoroughly research different essential oils and their use in diffusers; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Rather, you can strategically set this diffuser to run on a timer that meets your needs and accommodates your (and your cat's) schedule. Advice. Cats lack an enzyme (glucuronyl tranferase) that in other animals helps to process and break down certain components of these essential oils. A few of the most popular, feline-friendly plants include: Before you rush out and buy a bottle of each kind of oil, remember the differences between a whole plant and a bottle of essential oil. How can certain essential oils, which are so soothing and beneficial to humans, negatively affect your cat's health? Cats are also very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds, which can be found in some essential oils. When I discovered essential oils I was all gung ho to use them all the time in many ways. Cats aren't the only animals that can't tolerate certain kinds of essential oils. You are starting to dabble in essential oils, which is great for you, but may not be so great for your cat. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. If you notice even the slightest change in her health or behavior after you diffused essential oils, then call your veterinarian immediately. It should list the plant compounds it contains, along with associated concentrations of each. The opposite applies in this case. These essential oils contain high amounts of d-limonene and should be highly diluted (or avoided altogether) if you have cats. To stay safe, you can also restrict your oil activities to rooms where your cat is not allowed to roam, such as your master bathroom. Then, you plug the diffuser into your wall, where the oil-infused water droplets can shoot into the air as a fine mist. Close. Before using essential oil products and diffusers in your home, speak with your vet to ensure the health and safety of your furry friend. When you diffuse essential oils, the droplets go into the air and fall onto surfaces in your home. The timer! It all depends on the concentration of phenols in the air and how much your cat ultimately took in. If you notice that it is tolerant with it, you can then you can increase the concentration by adding more drops for a full aromatherapy benefit. Nor do you have to send your cat outside when you're ready to freshen your home with a new scent. However, there are a few essential oils that can be dangerous to diffuse nearby. Use a prescription flea product. Conclusion. Cats can’t metabolize appropriately since they don’t have liver enzymes and ingesting essential oils can increase the risk of toxicity. With this size of reservoir, it can run for more than 13 hours before needing a refill! Essential oils can be extremely harmful to cats and dogs, and depending on which oils you use, can seriously affect their livers. Are essential oil diffusers safe for cats? If any of these symptoms appear, it suggests that your cat has ingested too much of the dangerous phenol chemicals and needs immediate medical attention. If this happens, the chances are that your cat will ingest the essential oil while licking his fur. Take passive reed diffusers and potpourri pots, for instance. Now that we've covered what not to do when using your essential oils around your cat, let's talk about ones that are perfectly safe! While many holistic pet treatments can be beneficial, this is one area that's best left to the experts. Furbabies are like family, and you naturally want the very best for yours. A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. Also, start this process with one essential oil, you can blend later when the cat feels at home with it. Instead, essential oils can build up in the cat’s system and lead to poisoning. Used at a low concentration, it is entirely safe for your furry friend. But, she's likely absorbing more of the oil than you think. As such, it's helpful to know which oils contain them. If you love these oils, take heart. If you diffuse oils in your home, it should not cause a problem for your cat, as oil used in a diffuser is highly diluted (versus direct topical application or dietary supplementation). Keeping all of this in mind, you need to understand the key warning signs of phenol toxicity. Why should you add this diffuser to your home collection? Then, if you decide to go forward, check with your veterinarian for her recommendations and guidance before you invest in an essential oil diffuser. Yet, this oil is highly toxic to cats and can wind up causing far more harm than good. 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