Is A Pansy Toxic To Cats
When it comes to essential oils, a few common misunderstandings about the oils themselves and feline physiology make cats and aromatherapy a deadly mix. The list of oils potentially poisonous to your feline friend is much longer than those that aren’t. Most vets and well-trained aromatherapists warn against feline treatment.
What Are The Benefits Of Essential Oils For Cats
The research on the subject of essential oils both in humans and pets is not concrete enough for us to definitively state that a cat will benefit from essential oils in a certain way. However, the experiences of other cat owners can not be ignored.
Several cat owners swear by essential oils as a way to improve a cats life. After trying essential oils for your cat, you may join this group as well. Some of the benefits of essential oils reported include:
- Flea repellent. The struggle against fleas on a cat can be a tough one. There are several products on the market to deal with this issue but some cat owners are simply not comfortable exposing their cats to harsh chemicals. If you also prefer to minimize the number of chemicals in your cats life, essential oils such as rosemary and cedarwood may just work for you.
- Improve mood. Theres no denying how relaxing a mist of air filled with essence can be. Essential oils can have a similar effect on your cat. If used properly essential oils may have a positive effect on your cats mood by reducing anxiety and depression.
- Anti-inflammatory. Essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties. This can be helpful if your cat suffers from inflammatory diseases or conditions like arthritis. It may also benefit simple inflammatory conditions like bruising
- Digestion. Some cat owners have used essential oils to relieve digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Things To Be Wary Of When Using Oils On Cats
Common scenarios reveal essential oils to cause toxicity in cats, and that is something that you should watch out for. Cats may show signs through changing their habits in sleeping and eating behavior changes such as tiredness, and lack of energy digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea or vomiting and light-headedness.
In conclusion, essential oils generate various effects on your pet, but the general conception is that, as long as you only choose oils acceptable to cats, and these oils are kept in concentrations and levels which are low to moderate only, chances are your cat will be safe from any possibility of toxicity.
Make sure that you store essential oils properly and unreachable by your cat. If your pet cat has a serious medical problem and you deem essential oils to be useful, it is necessary for you to check with a veterinarian first as they may know better and may even recommend professionally blended oils that you can use.
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How To Use Essential Oils To Deter Cats From Pooping
Essential oils are a great option for deterring cats as there are certain scents that are almost universally disliked by cats.
Using one of these essential oils will help to keep cats out of areas you dont want them to be in.
Of course, different cats react differently to certain smells so choosing the most effective essential oil may involve some trial and error.
The best way to apply the essential oil will vary based on the area it is being used. There are two key methods that can be used in most situations:
Method 1: Spray
The first method is the spray bottle.
Simply put a few drops of the essential oil with 3x the amount of water in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Once mixed, the solution is ready to use.
Spray the essential oil mixture in the area the cat is pooping or around the entrance/ exit route or other hotspots in the garden.
The spray will need to be reapplied regularly to keep the smell strong and keep cats away.
Do not spray the essential oil spray when the cat is nearby as there is a risk of the mixture going onto the cat or being inhaled by the cat. Both of which could cause health issues.
Method 2: Apply With A Cloth
The second method is a great way of applying neat essential oil to areas. Rather than putting drops of the oil around the place, put a few drops onto a cloth and wipe this over the required areas.
The cloth can be wiped over key areas of the fence, on plant pots, on furniture, etc. Wherever the cats seem to be going to the toilet.
Essential Oils: What Are They
Essential oils are the extracts of plants known for their aromatic and/or medicinal properties, such as rose and frankincense. These oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, the practice of inhaling diffused oil or applying it topically, such as during a massage. “When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain,” explained Harpreet Gujral, a program director of integrative medicine, in Health at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The amygdala reacts to olfactory stimuli. Does a sniff of peppermint invigorate you? That’s aromatherapy.
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How Do You Know If Your Cat Has Been Poisoned By An Essential Oil
If you know you are using chemicals at home that could potentially harm your cats, it is very crucial to know the signs that may indicate poisoning. Immediate attention is key to survival and recovery when dealing with poisons.
Some of the signs and symptoms that may occur in cats after being poisoned include:
- Vomiting
- Muscle tremors
Essential Oils Toxic To Cats In Commercial Flea And Tick Products
Essential oils, including Peppermint, tea tree, limonene, cinnamon, and lemongrass can all be found in some popular flea control products. However, cats can have serious adverse reactions to some of these ingredients, even when the product is used according to label directions.
This is because, just like humans, cats can be individually sensitive to the world around them. Cat allergies are not uncommon, and any oils on the fur will be ingested when the cat begins the cleaning process.
The side effects of these commercial products may include skin irritation, agitation or lethargy, drooling, vomiting, tremors, and seizures.
I believe it to be best practice when using these products to start small and work your way up. If your cat does show signs of distress then stop using the product immediately and consult your local veterinarian.
It is essential never to use flea or tick treatments intended for dogs on your cat. This is because some of these products contain Permethrin, and this is very poisonous to cats. Permethrin however is well tolerated and highly effective on dogs.
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Safe Use Of Essential Oils For Cats
Any essential oil can pose a health risk to cats, especially when used in error or excess. The aforementioned essential oils are safe for cats, but should still be diluted or diffused. Use them in moderation to maintain a safe environment for your pet.
Essential oils are likely more safe for cats than artificial fragrances and air fresheners. Even still, what your nose perceives as a pleasant smell may be overwhelming for your cat. When using essential oils around cats, be sure to keep a scent-free room in your living environment for them to retreat to.
Risk Factors Of Essential Oils
- Oils are concentrated: Concentrated oils can irritate the skin. Cats and dogs have very sensitive noses small amounts of oil can be intense.
- Differences in metabolizing of oils: Cats in particular have difficulties processing phenols found in some oils, which can cause toxic buildup.
- Incorrect use of products containing oils: Examples include rubbing oil on a pet because it helps with fleas, or misusing a commercial product containing oils.
- Easy access to oils: Oils are easily absorbed through the skin or ingested when pets come into contact.
- Pre-existing conditions: Oils can exacerbate conditions such as asthma.
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Symptoms Of Harm Or Toxicity
Whether youre using essential oil products on yourself or for your dog, keep in mind that any oil can be harmful if its not properly diluted or used incorrectly.
In its pure, undiluted and concentrated form, essential oils can cause harmful reactions for animals, just like it can cause reactions in humans.
When using products containing essential oil, a few factors determine its effect on your dog. These include the type of oil, concentration level of the oil, and additional ingredients mixed with the oils which can cause varying reactions.
Topical or oral exposure can cause any of the following reactions:
- Skin irritatione.g. itchiness, burning, sloughing
- Respiratory irritatione.g. panting, coughing, wheezing. If your dog has underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies, certain essential oils can also exacerbate those conditions.
- GI upsete.g. vomiting, diarrhea
- Other potentially severe, less common symptoms also include gait unsteadiness, depression, lethargy, weakness, ulcers, hypothermia, rear leg paralysis, seizures,
In rare cases, if the oil is absorbed into the bloodstream, liver and kidney damage can occur.
Frankincense Oil For Cats By Doterra
Historicallythis oil is used as a holy oil, and it is applied topically, internally, oraromatically for cats. When you use the oil for the first time, remember toobserve your cats behavior for the first 15-20 minutes, and leave your roomdoor open so your pet can move freely. When you introduce new oil to your pet,do it SLOWLY, start from a smaller amount, and use guidelines as though for aninfant. Before using any essential oils for your pets, you should consult witha vet, know your kittys health history, and use only Therapeutic GradeEssential oils.
Frankincenseoil has been used widely on animals, has a wide margin of safety, and can even beapplied on newborn kittens. It can be used for small and big cats, and can beapplied topically, aromatically, or internally. The oil plays the role of an enhancer,and can be combined with other essential oils such as Myrrh or Lavender.
Frankincense oil is helpful:
- for relaxation, to help with negative feelings
- to promote a healthy nervous system
- to maintain healthy skin
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What Is An Essential Oil
An essential oil is a natural compound that are extracted from a single plant species and have the odor of the plant from which they have been obtained. Not all plants produce essential oils, but in those that do, the oil can be extracted from various sections of the plant including the stem, roots, leaves and flowers or fruits. While the oils that are extracted arent particularly strong, they are then distilled to make them more potent. It is for this reason that only a few drops of essential oil are needed at a time.
While essential oils are extracted for use by humans, they are also used therapeutically by the plants themselves since they help with wound healing, attracting or repelling birds and insects, hormonal effects and even infection control.
Why Are Essential Oils Harmful To Ferrets
Essential are toxic to ferrets and cats and they shouldnt come near them or be in the room where you use essential oils. You mustnt give your ferret essential oil in any way or form. That means no drinking, no eating, no licking , no inhaling, nothing. Long exposure to essential oils can cause medical problems to the ferret.
Ferrets and cats are very specific when it comes to essential oils. They simply cant metabolize essential oils phenols. That means that over a certain amount of time surrounded by essential oils, ferrets liver soak phenols they cant metabolize. Phenols stay in the liver and, with time, they can reach toxic levels. When that happens, a ferret can experience serious medical issues like organ failure, even death.
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Which Essential Oils Are Toxic To Dogs
Tea tree oil toxicosis is one of the most commonly encountered ones in dogs. This product is manufactured from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is a mixture of over one hundred unique components, and terpenes make up around 60% of that and they are known for being metabolized by the liver.
If your dog has come in contact with tea tree oil or youve made the horrible mistake of applying some to his coat or worse, directly to his skin, there are a variety of symptoms that you could notice within 1 to 8 hours following the application. If the dog has licked the spot, it has basically gone into his system, so some of the first clinical signs that are noticeable range from coma and unresponsiveness to depression, inability to walk, shaking, or tremoring. If you notice such symptoms, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Due to its concentration, tea tree oil can also cause skin burns or irritations but they are without a doubt less severe compared to the central nervous clinical signs that weve detailed above. However, the oil produces an uncomfortable feeling on the pets skin, which is why most dogs will want to alleviate it by licking the area. And thats how the tea tree oil ends up in their systems.
Are Essential Oils Dangerous To Cats
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Essential oils, aromatherapy, and potpourri in your home may be pleasant for you, but natural compounds in these fragrances can be dangerous for your cat. Take precautions when using these products so your cat does not have a toxic reaction. If your cat has any liver impairment, it may be best to eliminate these products from your cat’s environment.
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Other Poisonous Essential Oils
According to the Pet Poison Line, Essential oils that are known to cause poisoning in cats include oil of wintergreen, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil , pine oils, Ylang Ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, pennyroyal oil, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil. Symptoms that develop depend on the type of oil involved in the exposure and can include drooling, vomiting, tremors, ataxia , respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, and liver failure.
How Hazardous Are Essential Oils And Liquid Potpourri To Cats
Essential oils and liquid potpourris contain chemicals that are rapidly absorbed orally or through the skin. Many of these chemicals are metabolized through the liver. Cats are particularly sensitive to essential oils as they have a decreased number of certain liver enzymes necessary to effectively metabolize these oils. Additionally, very young cats and kittens, and cats with liver disease are more sensitive to their effects. Liquid potpourri and some essential oils can also irritate or burn the skin and mouth.
“Only a couple of licks or a small amount on the skin could be harmful to a cat.”
Only a couple of licks or a small amount on the skin could be harmful to a cat, depending on the ingredients in a specific product and how the pet is exposed. Cats can be exposed by tasting liquid potpourri as it simmers or by coming in contact with liquid from leaking or overturned containers. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, so if these products get on their skin, they will often be ingested.
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When To Call The Vet
Symptoms of essential oil poisoning include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, drooling, vomiting, tremors, wobbliness and low heart rate, reported the Pet Poison Helpline. 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.
Before using essential oil products and diffusers in your home, speak with your vet to ensure the health and safety of your furry friend.
Are There Any Benefits To Using Essential Oils For Your Pets
Some companies advertise the benefits of using essential oils as natural solutions for cats and dogs. While claims range from repelling fleas and mosquitos from the home with oils like citronella and lavender, to helping to calm animals with essence of chamomile, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of these productsand many show up on the list of essential oils to avoid using around cats.
And while natural solutions like essential oils may help keep the occasional flea away, most vets agree that the best preventative measure to keep your pets safe from parasites like fleas is a monthly medicine that works as a preventative treatment.
Their size, sensitive skin, and fastidious grooming habits mean that essential oils pose a bigger problem for cats than dogs. So just because your vet gave the OK for something to use around your canine companion doesnt mean the same rule applies for your kitties. As with any new substance, its best to ask your veterinarian before using anything on or near your cat.
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But Ive Heard Essential Oils Are Dangerous For Cats Is That True
Remember how we mentioned that essential oils are thought to repel certain harmful insectsa sort of natural insect repellent? That same neurotoxicity can be harmful to some animals, especially cats. While this property may boost our immunity, it can poison our cats. Essential oils get metabolized through the liver. Cat livers lack a specific enzyme that leaves them susceptible to various kinds of toxicity . For this reason, avoid oils containing polyphenolic compounds that are harmful to the feline liver. Also, liquid potpourri and some oils burn and irritate the skin. Young kittens and those with compromised livers are even more sensitive, so we advise you to use extra caution around them.