We have been getting a lot of questions lately about which essential oils are suitable for cats. Since cats are very sensitive animals and, due to their lack of liver enzymes, have a low ability to process the individual components of essential oils, this is a very deep topic. I will try to open it up in this article and at the same time shed light on some of the questions arising from the disagreement between individual sources.
The super power of essential oils?!
It is a well-known fact that essential oils are highly concentrated plant substances. Just 1 drop of these treasures contains about 3-4 cups (121-161 g) of plant material. In other words, 1 drop of rosemary oil is equal to 3-4 full cups of the herb. Therefore, the oils have a strong aroma that encourages us to handle them with caution.
Cats often dislike their strong scent. They have almost 4 times more olfactory cells in their nasal mucosa than humans. In cat aromatherapy, we are not limited only by this interesting fact, but also by the fact that furry pets lack important liver enzymes, which are used to metabolically process individual components of essential oils in the liver. You may now be asking yourself what the connection is between the liver and scent?!
Why Most Essential Oils Are Toxic to Cats?
Whether we or our four-legged friends enjoy the scents of essential oils through diffusion, application to the skin/fur in diluted form, or questionable internal use (which SoZoLe Rose does not recommend it!). Their final route always leads through the bloodstream to the liver, where they are broken down into water-soluble components by liver enzymes. These metabolic residues, as toxins, are then excreted from the body in the urine and feces. Because cats lack the liver enzymes UDP-glucuronosyltransferase in particular (according to a 2013 study, these three enzymes are UGT1A6, UGT1A9 and UGT2B7), contact with most essential oils is toxic to them and often leads to permanent liver and kidney damage and, in worse cases, even death of the animal.
What to definitely avoid with cats
Information about the safety of individual essential oils varies from many sources. And finding truly credible sources, supported by studies or practice, is somewhat difficult. Nevertheless, after a little research, I bring you a few interesting facts. Did you know that menthol contained in peppermint oil is dangerous not only for children under 3 years old but also for cats?! R. Tisserand On its website, it mentions a study from 1976 that showed that menthol is 3-4 times more harmful to cats than to rodents. This is probably due to a missing liver enzyme.
Also, avoid any citrus oils for cats. Monoterpenols are problematic for these pets. And it is thanks to one of them, d-limonene, that citrus smells so beautiful! Cats are also sensitive to phenols, which are contained in oregano or thyme oil. And also to polyphenols present in cinnamon, clove or birch oil. Other essential oils to avoid, according to Amy Joyson and her book Essential Oils For Cats, include pine and fir oil, clary sage and niaouli.
And what about the often mentioned tea tree oil? This is what an investigative veterinary study from 1998 relates to, when three cats were poisoned after 20 ml of this undiluted essential oil was applied to their skin to cure nasty flea bites. All three cats were poisoned, two were saved after intensive treatment, but unfortunately one died. Here you can see how even good intentions can turn into an irreversible disaster.
It would seem that there aren't many safe essential oils left?! Or is there?
Safe essential oils for cats
Which oils can we use for our pets with peace of mind? After consulting with cat psychologist Klára Nevečeřalová and based on her recommendation, based on foreign authors A. Joyson and Dr. Philip Ozz, these are in particular:
Lavender, immortelle, frankincense, Damask Rose, geranium, Clary Sage, chamomile (blue), Roman chamomile, rosemary, jasmine, neroli and marjoram
But be careful, nothing should be overdone, so let's be considerate of our animal friends. Diffuse for a maximum of 1 hour a day. Ideally, divide this time into 2 x 30 min or 3 x 20 min, which also applies to ourselves. Then air out thoroughly and if we are diffusing for our own pleasure and enjoyment, do it in a room where cats do not have access and air out thoroughly again. If you need to mix some cat aromatherapy oil, don't forget to always dilute essential oils that are safe for them with a carrier oil in a safe ratio. Klára advises 1:50, i.e. 1 drop of essential oil to 50 drops of carrier oil (any vegetable oil).
Floral waters or hydrolates as safe cat aromatherapy
Personally, I prefer floral waters or hydrolates for animals, which are safer and gentler than concentrated essential oils alone! Don't hesitate to reach for cornflower flower water in eye care, lavender for calming and relaxing and rose water for harmonization. Chamomile is suitable for sadness and depression from loss. How Chamomile, So i Roman chamomile You can use it for gingivitis in a ratio of 20% chamomile hydrolate + 30% flower water immortelle and 50% water. Apply 2-3 drops of this mixture to your pet's gums 4-6 times a day for 3 weeks. You can then apply a small amount of undiluted to bites and scratches at once. lavender hydrolate to clean the wound (S. Catty - Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy, p. 193). And we must not forget that you can use hydrolates as a completely natural room freshener or the final stage of rinsing the cat litter box.
I believe I have brought some light to the confusion of many information about cat aromatherapy. Always be careful, pay attention to how your cat reacts to the oils or hydrolates offered to you. If you are not sure about essential oils, do not use them on your pets. Consult with experts. In the Czech Republic it is cat psychologist Klára Nevečeřalová, who many of you know from the Czech TV show “A Cat is Not a Dog”, and who was a guest on one of our live broadcasts. Watch his recording here.
Sources:
S. Catty - Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy, 2001
R. Tisserand, R. Young – Essential Oil Safety, 2014.
KG STILES – Essential Oils Complete Guide, 2019.
R. Tisserand: Cats and Essential Oil Safety(14.6.2011)
A. Joyson - Essential Oils For Cats, 2015
Dr. P. Ozz – Essential Oils for your cat, 2015
