Are Essential Oils Safe for Cats?
Are Essential Oils Safe for Cats?
Recently, I’ve noticed a rumor circling the internet stating that all essential oils are dangerous or even deadly for pets. Fortunately, this is not true at all!
Essential oils can have some of the same, useful effects on pets as they do on humans, but there are some that can be problematic. However, there is an entire line of medicine that uses essential oils internally, so when you are informed you can absolutely use essential oils safely for pets!
Diffusing
The most common way many people use essential oils is by diffusing the oil in the air. While this is not dangerous for your pets, it can be quite an overwhelming scent for their sensitive olfactory systems to process.
For this reason, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind when diffusing essential oils around pets is to only diffuse in a large, open, and well-ventilated room. You also want to ensure that your pet has a chance to leave the room if the smell becomes too overbearing for them.
What Essential Oils Are Safe for Pets?
When choosing essential oils that can be used around pets, be sure to only choose PURE, therapeutic-grade essential oils. While synthetic essential oils are often cheaper, they are also more dangerous for your pets, even deadly!
Brands like doTerra and Young Living are popular among essential oils users and are excellent sources of quality essential oils. These companies are also for learning more about what oils you can use around your pets. Contact the company directly and ask which essential oils they carry are safe for your to use around your pets.
Keep giving your pets the best of natural life!
~PetCoachApril
April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H
The best essential oils for cats include cedarwood essential oil, rosemary essential oil, copaiba essential oil, helichrysum essential oil, and frankincense essential oil. Cats can also tolerate German chamomile and Roman chamomile oil, lavender essential oil, thyme essential oil and valerian essential oil at diluted concentrations.
Lavender seems to be the best researched essential oil for use with cats when diffused. Although scientific evidence supports its calming effect on cats when diffused, it can still be toxic if applied topically neat or undiluted to your cat’s skin or fur, as can any essential oil if undiluted.
RenewedPet on
Hi April, can you please clarify what specific oils are safe for our kitties? I only use therapeutic oils, but I was hoping you can shed some light on the exact oils (tea tree, lavender, etc) we can use. Your guidance means very much to me!
Annie Starnes on