wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Reduces symptoms such as fear, scratching, marking, and more in a chew form that's made of natural ingredients. You are starting to dabble in essential oils, which is great for you, but may not be so great for your cat. Learn more... Aromatherapy involves the use of particular scents derived from plant sources to treat a wide range of conditions. Lavender Essential oil by doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil has been used for centuries, and is often considered a must-have oil in every household because of its relaxing and calming properties. You can find essential oil diffusers for under $40. Sniffing and then returning to the bottle. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If your cat likes the flavor of these all-natural chews, this product earns high marks for its ability to calm seriously stressed-out kitties. If you can smell the fragrance of the oil, there is oil in the air and it can affect your cat. Aromatherapy often blends several oils together and you can do the same with hydrosols. Lavender is by far the most calming essence for your cat. If you do not know whether an essential oil contains phenols, you could ask an aromatherapist or consult with your veterinarian. For the most part cats and essential oils don't really mix. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Plant and flower extracts can calm both you and your kitty, but you need to take good care how you use them with your furball because they can be highly toxic if they get into her bloodstream. You could also use cardamom or spearmint if the cat is showing signs of nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. However, you should never leave … For cats, small dogs, and other smaller animals, use a carrier oil—such as V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex—to dilute the essential oil before application. The most usual methods of use are in a carrier oil for massage, added to bath water or burned in an oil burner. Holistic vet Online: Aromatherapy for Dogs, Cats and Other Animals. Essential oils safe to use topically on cats … Diffusion is preferred for cats. They are not harmful to cats when … Lavender and Roman Chamomile essential oils ARE safe for cats. Lavender is the safest of the essential oils. Here are a some guidelines: For cats and smaller-sized dogs, use two to four drops and dilute with 80 percent carrier oil (i.e. There could be allergic reactions o… In some cases, topical application of tea tree oil has resulted in cat fatalities. Avoid Peace & Calming essential oil blend on your cat, as it does contain phenols. Also, your furball's skin is thinner than yours, so she absorbs essential oils into her bloodstream much more quickly. If your kitty is a little too bouncy, you could try aromatherapy. It should not, however, be ingested by cats or directly applied to their skin. To be on the safe side, you can always talk to your veterinarian before using essential oils for animals. This is no good for your cat. Geranium essential oil is a nice alternative to lavender for calming your cat during stressful events and situations, such as car rides. It’s vital that you choose 100 percent pure, therapeutic-grade and certified USDA organic essential oils free of adulterants and additives for use with your pets. Keep reading to learn how to administer the oil to your cat! Essential oils are toxic substances and should not be ingestedat any time. I use them for teeth care, to clean and to help with my kids boo-boos and mood. Stick To Calming Scents Like humans, cats are very soothed by the scent of lavender (as long as they are not allergic to it). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do a patch test on part of your body before using it on the body. Combines vitamin B1, L-Theanine, and colostrum for a calming effect. Know … Earth Heart Inc.: Is Aromatherapy Safe for Your Cat? Although many essential oils are dangerous for cats, there are some that are safe if you’d like to calm your cat with aromatherapy. They cannot handle eucalyptol (a compound inside the oil) and it poisons them - try to keep your cat(s) as far away from eucalyptus as possible. Wintergreen oils, such as birch, are also toxic, and the more unusual varieties, such as pennyroyal, tansy and thuja, are no-nos according to Wynn and Fougere. I couldn’t write about essential oils for cats without mentioning some of the common oils that you should never use around your cat, even if you dilute the crap out of them. When you're buying hydrosols look for the best quality you can find and look for hydrosol, hydrolat or steam distillate water on the packaging. Some companies add essential oils to water and call it a hydrosol. You should be skeptical of marketing that contains these kinds of terms. Lavender is by far the most calming essence for your cat. For medium sized dogs dilute 4:1 carrier oil to essential oil. American Shaman Cat CBD Oil Tincture Key Features: Contains CBD oil and MCT oil; Vegan and gluten-free; Real catnip flavor; Who Should Buy CBD Oil for Cats. Scents like lavender, cardamom and spearmint can be used to treat your cat’s stress or anxiety. She holds a Master of Arts in informational studies from London University. We typically use a one to 2% dilution for dogs. If your cat accidentally ingests tea tree oil, you should take them to the veterinarian. Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use and how much you should dilute for topical application. Like any essential oil, it must be properly diluted prior to application. What Can Be Put on Shrubs to Keep Outdoor Cats From Urinating?→. No dilution is necessary for topical application and it is generally safe for small children. This means that the liver in cats cannot break down or metabolize certain drugs, medications, and even some essential oils. Here's a brief synopsis of essential oil safety for cats taken from two resources Janet Roark - Essential Oil Vet and the Dog Oiler . Follow instructions on labels of bottles of these essential oils before using. Alternating essential oils can … Aromatherapy often blends several oils together and you can do the same with hydrosols. Veterinary Herbal Medicine; Susan G. Wynn and Barbara Fougere. While the essential oils listed here are safe for human use, they can be quite the opposite for felines. Or spritz the room she's in, although make sure it's ventilated and you don't overdo the spraying. By using our site, you agree to our. Lemongrass oil is most often found in the form of a hydrosol, a 100% non-alcoholic aroma that is made by steam-distilling or hydro-distilling plant matter. Relaxivet Dogs & Cats Calming … Essential Oil Dilution for Animals. Essential oils, such as Peace & Calming, can be very helpful in managing anxiety with dogs, cats and horses. Yes, all eucalyptus products are toxic to cats. Here are ways of safely using essential oils to get effective results: 1. Dilute essential oilsbefore application on the body to avoid undesirable skin reactions. These include chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and … Roman chamomile has a soothing effect -- like chamomile tea -- and is also useful for keeping your kitty's skin free from rashes. Cats are especially at risk for essential oil reactions. Calming Scents. List of Essential Oils to Avoid for Cats. Essential oil and aromatherapy diffusers, candles, liquid potpourri products, and room sprays are sources of airborne essential oils that cats can inhale or lick off their fur. If essential oil gets in their eyes, you should take them to the veterinarian. Next, you’ll want to determine the amount of oil you can apply to your dog or cat. It is one of the few essential oils that are definitely safe to use with cats, alongside cedarwood, geranium, helichrysum, lavender, cardamom and spearmint. If your cat is anxious because of an upset stomach or a long car ride, you might find aromatherapy very helpful. % of people told us that this article helped them. At the end of the distillation process that collects the essential oil from a plant, the leftover steam containing water soluble parts of the plant's chemical makeup is condensed in a separate container to the essential oil. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 2. You can spritz your kitty with a hydrosol to calm her, to help prevent flea and tick infestations or clean her ears. Based in London, Eleanor McKenzie has been writing lifestyle-related books and articles since 1998. However, many essential oils are toxic and potentially fatal, so you will need to follow strict safety precautions. Today I’m going to cover Essential oil use around Cats and later I’ll talk about Essential oils and Dogs and other animal guides are in the works. If used topically dilute 1 drop of essential oil per 100-200 drops of carrier oil. We all know how effective natural remedies can be for humans, but when used properly essential oils and other natural remedies can make a big difference in the lives of your cats.. For years, we’ve used Plants that Naturally Repel Fleas and Ticks and there are thousands more uses for people and pets. For instance, scents like lavender, geranium, or frankincense all have a soothing effect and are safe around cats. Symptoms of ingesting tea tree oil in toxic amounts may include vomiting, seizures and muscle tremors. What we found was a lot of contradictory information, with some sources claiming that all essential oils are toxic to cats. If you’re using essential oils on medium … 2. As challenging as it has been for me to find several cat calming treats, I managed to come up with a list of a few decent ones. Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years, but now people are finding that their cats can benefit from it, too. Kirsten Leigh Bell suggests blending rose, lavender and neroli (orange blossom) to make a calming, delightfully scented smell. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-palmquist-dvm/pet-aromatherapy_b_877199.html, http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/essential-oils-for-cats.html, http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/natural-stress-remedies-for-dogs-and-cats/, http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/ken-tudor/2014/january/tea-tree-oil-safe-pets-31282#, http://roberttisserand.com/2011/06/cats-essential-oil-safety/, https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/a-scent-sitive-subject-essential-oil-diffusers-and-your-cat/, http://www.essentialanimals.com/library/safe-use-of-essential-oils-for-cats/, https://www.youngliving.com/blog/essential-oils-for-pets-a-quick-how-to/, https://www.yourbestdigs.com/reviews/best-essential-oil-diffuser/, Deine Katze mit einer Aromatherapie beruhigen, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The essential oil of frankincense is produced by steam distillation of the tree resin and has a balsamic sweet fragrance. Essential Oils, Plant Therapy – Fast & Free Same Day Shippingessential oils calming for catsA cat's liver is different, as it lacks the P450 cytochrome metabolic pathway. Hemp Oil for Dogs and Cats - Premium Hemp Oil Drops 200,000 Made in USA - Calming Aid for Stress & Anxiety Relief - Pet Relief Rich in Omega 3-6-9 - Hip & Joint Health & Inflammation Relief 4.4 out of 5 stars 4,215 Her articles have appeared in the "Palm Beach Times" and she is the author of numerous books published by Hamlyn U.K., including "Healing Reiki" and "Pilates System." Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 45,209 times. However, if you’d rather try to calm your cat some other way, check out the products showcased below. Natural Hemp Oil for Dogs & Cats - 240,000mg - Pet Hemp Oil - Supports Mobility, Hip & Joint, Immune System - Calming Treats for Dogs - Made in Usa 4.3 out of 5 stars 237 £14.95 £ 14 . Cats have a unique genetic make-up that gives pause to the use of aromatherapy around them. A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. The key to using catnip for relaxing your kitty is to give it to her about 15 minutes prior to the stressful event, such as the dreaded veterinary trip. Is diffused eucalyptus oil harmful to my cat? All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Just remember that for dogs and cats and small animals, the smaller they are, the more you want to dilute it. And cats that means one drop of essential oil to 100 drops of carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil. Roman chamomile has a soothing effect -- like chamomile tea -- and is also useful for keeping your kitty's skin free from rashes. Remember to make sure your cat has access to fresh water. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Diffusing essential oils with strong odors, particularly lime essential oil and lemongrass essential oil can help deter cats away from certain areas. Hydrosols are collected from the steam that is released during the production of essential oils. First things first, ... Peace & Calming – Peace & Calming oil creates a relaxing environment that’s especially great for homes with children and pets. The sweet scent of Geranium essential oil is pleasant to the olfactory senses and cats typically tolerate Geranium essential oil very well. Frankincense is also listed as one of the best essential oils safe for cats. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The terms ‘therapeutic’ or ‘clinical grade’ are unregulated in the essential oil business. Keep reading to learn how to administer the oil to your cat! Give them a relaxing massage with the oil and hopefully they will calm down. Jul 20, 2019 - A recent post on Facebook went viral when a woman purchasing essential oils reported her cat experienced adverse affects. This is also a safe oil to use on cats. If you are sure they like the smell of the essential oil, you could put a few drops of the diffused oil on your hands and then pet your cat. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Hydrosols are a lot less expensive than essential oils, so experimenting with blends is more affordable. After she hangs from the ceiling and bolts around the room at lightning speed, she will be worn out and exceptionally calm. for every one drop of oil, dilute with four to five drops of jojoba, coconut, or the carrier oil … Your furry friend can tolerate these because a hydrosol contains much lower levels of plant extract and doesn't have such a strong smell. wikiHow's. Yet… 1. Lemon balm is another sedative, although citrus oil is not recommended by Susan Wynn and Barbara Fougere in their book, "Veterinary Herbal Medicine." Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The more commonly available oils you must avoid for your kitty are listed as basil, clove, oregano, tarragon and teatree. Kristen Leigh Bell, who wrote Holistic Aromatherapy For Animals, suggests a mixture of lavender, rose, and neroli for a fresh, calming scent. Because of this, we researched the toxicity of essential oils to cats. 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