Are Essential Oils Safe to Use Around Cats?

You will read and hear many things concerning this particular topic. Here is what I have learnt from Dr Janet Roark during my trainings and many other animal experts who use Essential Oils in their practices daily:

• Cats lack an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase. This is important for the Cytochrome p450 liver metabolism pathway. This makes cats very susceptible to ALL kinds of toxicity, including plants, NSAIDS (like aspirin or ibuprofen), Tylenol, chocolate and caffeine (methylxanthines), lead, zinc, many types of pesticides, and many other things.

So which oils do you stay away from?

Most highly tested, therapeutic oils (not the ones from just any shop – the ones that are tested by batch) are so pure that you can use them topically on cats sporadically in a highly diluted form (just like you would for a baby – 0.25% to 1% maximum dilution). It’s not a good idea to use them topically or internally on your cat every single day (with some exceptions)

*Essential Oils to avoid for both topical and internal application with cats are the oils high in phenols and eugenols as far as direct application and these include:

• Basil,
• Birch,
• Cinnamon,
• Clove,
• Fennel,
• Melaleuca / Tea Tree,
• Oregano,
• Peppermint,
• Thyme,  
• Wintergreen)
• As well as Essential Oils which are high in d-limonene (all citrus oils ie: Lemon; Wild Orange; Bergamot; etc.).

With this said, take in to consideration, that just like people, every animal is different and you should consult your veterinarian if you are concerned anything.

As far as diffusion goes: I have diffused everything around my cats without any ill effects! But, I don't recommend you diffuse in a room where your cat's food / water bowl is and I have always made certain that a door is open in case my cat wants to leave the room while I diffuse. Please never, lock your cat in a room where you are diffusing. Cats will leave the room if they don't like what you are diffusing or if if he / she doesn't need the essential oils. It is recommended that you use a water based diffuser rather than one that pulls oils directly from the bottle. The ones that pull essential oils from the bottles are not just one very expensive hobby for no reason at all, but the neat oils diffused is way too strong for all pets.

Don’t give oils to cats topically or internally *every* single day ( with some exceptions),

ALWAYS:

• Dilute the essential oils
• Use Therapeutic, Tested Essential Oils
• When in doubt: Please ask. ​