Did you know that the essential oil market is worth more than eight billion dollars? Furthermore, experts believe that the increasing focus on self-care and wellness will increase the popularity of aromatherapy. Yet, this trend leads many to question whether essential oils are truly safe to use around their pets.
This post will look specifically at the relationship between essential oils and cats. So, keep reading if you’d like to know which ones are safe and which ones to avoid!
Are Aromatherapy Oils Safe for Cats?
Although cats are generally pretty clean pets, their litter box may smell from time to time. But before you grab some essential oils to freshen up your home, you must learn how to protect your cat from essential oil poisoning since not all of them are safe.
Of course, you should ensure that your cat never ingests any essential oils. Yet, some types are even toxic when inhaled or applied to their skin, including:
- Tea tree oil
- Ylang Ylang
- Pine oil
- Citrus oil
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
These oils are toxic to cats because the plants from which they originate contain phenols, which are especially concentrated in essential oils. Pets lack the enzymes needed to metabolize phenols, meaning that they cause gastrointestinal upset, depression of the nervous system, and liver damage in severe cases. Protecting your cat with pet insurance can help you cover the expenses in case your cat presents any of these symptoms and requires hospitalization, surgery, or emergency care.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t use these essential oils at home. Just be sure to keep your cat out of the room while diffusing or applying them and store them in a safe place. And remember to wash your hands before touching your cat if you’ve handled essential oils.
Using Essential Oils that are Safe for Your Cat
Just because some essential oils are harmful to cats doesn’t mean they all are! There are plenty of safe options you can pick from, including:
- Lemon balm
- Rose
- Sage
- Basil
- Jasmine
- Thyme
These plants are safe for cats, so their oils are also safe. Just be sure to check the ingredient list on the back to make sure they don’t contain other ingredients that can harm your pet.
Moreover, you can shop for your essential oils at a website that tells clients whether they are safe for pets or not, such as aromatechscent.com.
And, if you aren’t sure about a specific essential oil, it’s best to read the label or call your cat’s veterinarian for more information on pet health. Better safe than sorry when it comes to air fresheners and cats!
Essential Oils and Cats: Enjoy the Scents You Love
Even though some essential oils are toxic to cats, you can still enjoy them by using them in areas your furry friend can’t access. Of course, if you want to be extra cautious, you can always experiment with safe scents until you find one you love!
Did you enjoy learning about essential oils and cats? If so, be sure to check out more of our content related to wellness and pets!
