How to Use Essential Oils With Cats
Do you have a fur baby that you love like family? BUT you know that they are not humans but cats and they don’t enjoy the smell of certain essential oils and some oils may even be toxic!
Hopefully this post will give you some guidance on how to use essential oils with cats.
Nippet at10 Weeks
Cats lack an enzyme in their liver that causes them to have difficulty metabolizing certain things that humans and dogs can. So whenever you’re using essential oils for cats topically, be sure that you are using either a highly diluted essential oil (I’ll tell you which ones to avoid) at 0.5% dilution rate or less, or use a hydrosol (I’ll talk more about that later). There are also some oils you should not diffuse around them as well (see list below).
Check with Your Vet
While I’m good at giving essential oil advice, I’m not a vet (or doctor). If your cat has any medical condition or special restrictions be sure to check with your vet before trying essential oils or hydrosols with them. Essential oils or hydrosols should not and do not replace the advice or treatment given by a vet.
Should I use Essential Oils Around or with My Cat?
After checking with your vet, use your best judgment. Essential oils are a safer option than using synthetically scented candles, sprays, or plugins.
How to Introduce Essential Oils to Your Cat
Before using a new essential oil topically on your cat or in the diffuser in the room your cat will be in, be sure to introduce the oil to the cat and see how they respond. Allow your cat to smell the oil with the cap on. Look for a positive response like interest or rubbing their face against it. If they’re not a fan, they’ll walk away.
Use Hydrosols
If you don’t feel comfortable using essential oils for cats and still want a natural approach, hydrosols are a good option. Hydrosol is the leftover water in the process of extracting the oil part of the plant. This water contains many benefits and is a lot less potent than essential oils. This is especially a good option for small animals.
You can make a DIY hydrosol with essential oils. It won’t have as many beneficial properties because it’s coming from the extracted oil, not the original plant, but it still has a lot of great benefits.
To make a hydrosol, pick an oil that you want to try with your pet.
Be sure to let your pet smell it with the cap on to make sure the oil won’t distress him or her.
To make the DIY Hydrosol you’ll need
1 cup boiling water
A heatproof bowl you can cover
Essential oil
Coffee filter
Jar (sterilized)
In the heat proof bowl or in a pan, bring water to a boil. Take the bowl or pan off the heat, add 8 drops of essential oil, and cover. This will trap the evaporating water and allow it to cool and condense and fall back into the bowl. Let the water and oil sit for 20-30 minutes. Pour the water mixture through the coffee filter and into a sterile jar to strain out the oil droplets. Store this hydrosol in the fridge or if you don’t think you’ll use it within 2-4 weeks, pour it into an ice tray or mold and freeze. You can defrost 1 or more at a time.
You can apply hydrosols directly on the fur or skin of your animals or incorporate them into any other recipes.
If this sounds like too complicated, you can purchase already made hydrosol at my Simply Earth affiliate page here: https://bit.ly/40Fgv8g . Just search ‘hydrosol’.
Diffusing Around Cats
Like I said earlier, cats are sensitive to essential oils, even if they are diffused. When diffusing essential oils, only use 1-2 drops and leave an “escape” or open door so that your cat can leave the room if they don’t like the smell.
Avoid These Essential Oils
Don’t use these oils topically or in a diffuser around cats
Basil
Citrus oils (probably won’t harm your cat, but they may not like the smell)
Birch
Cinnamon
Clove
Dill
Fennel
Tea tree
Oregano
Peppermint
Thyme
Rosemary
Spearmint
Wintergreen
Possible Negative Reactions
Keep an eye out for these negative reactions that could occur when using essential oils with your cat.
Skin irritation (most common)
Wash the area with dish soap to remove the oil and apply carrier oil to the area
Distress
Uncharacteristic drooling
Squinting
Rubbing face
Vocalization
Shaking
Vomiting
Most adverse reactions clear up within 24 hours once the area is diluted, but for a serious reaction be sure to take your pet to the vet or emergency vet. Store essential oils out of reach from pets as ingesting them could be toxic.
Safety Tips Summary
Introduce an oil to your cat before trying it
Diffuse 1-2 drops with the door open
Dilute essential oils at 0.5% or less, or better yet, use a hydrosol!
Avoid the essential oils listed above
Store oils away from your cat, ingesting them could be toxic
If you have any questions, feel free to comment below and I’ll try to answer them for you!
I’ll introduce you to my dog, Ellie, in the next post!
See you then!
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