Essential oils are having a moment, turning up in everything from cleaning and personal products to medical treatments and more. But what about cat products? Are there essential oil products for cats? And are essential oils suitable for cats? Here's what cat parents need to know.
Essential Oils: What Are They?
Essential oils are extracts of plants, such as rose and frankincense, known for their aromatic and/or medicinal properties and used in personal and household products. Note that these are different from essential fatty acids, which are important nutrients found in your cat’s food.
Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, the practice of inhaling diffused oil or applying it topically to the skin, such as during a massage. The Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust explains that the scents and chemicals in the oils can “produce different emotional and physiological reactions” that may be helpful in reducing pain, relieving tension, and improving mood.
Personal and Household Use
With an uptick in online retailers and a renewed interest in natural health care, essential oils are more accessible than ever. People are incorporating them into everyday use in lots of different ways: cleaning sprays, hand sanitisers, fragrances, laundry detergents and skin moisturisers, to name just a few.
What does this all have to do with cats? When you have feline housemates, you want to create a safe household for cats, which means keeping harmful substances, such as essential oils, out of reach.
Essential Oils Toxic to Cats
Much like some common houseplants that are toxic for cats, Cats Protection warns that the majority of essential oils are harmful to your cat. This is especially true when they’re very concentrated, but even small amounts can be toxic. According to the PDSA the following can be especially dangerous:
- Cinnamon
- Citrus oils
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Sweet birch
- Tea tree
- Wintergreen
- Ylang ylang
Essential oils can be bought individually, but they often appear in other household products too, such as insect repellent and paint thinner/white spirit/”turps” (turpentine is an essential oil). Products like these can be extremely toxic to cats, notes International Cat Care.
Tasty Tips
Tea Tree Oil: A Special Warning
Tea tree oil in particular is very hazardous to cats. Tea tree oil spray is often promoted as a “natural” flea remedy for pets, but The Veterinary Nurse journal warns that tea tree oil can cause skin problems, serious neurological side effects, and even death in both cats and dogs. The risk is especially high when the oil is used undiluted, with just a few drops reported to have caused side effects. To be safe, never use tea tree oil on your cat (or your dog!).
Are Any Essential Oils Safe for Cats?
In short, there are no safe essential oils for cats. Cats Protection explains that exposure to essential oils can cause organ damage, liver failure, seizures and death in cats. This might happen via:
- Skin exposure, e.g. rubbing or spraying oil onto the cat’s fur/skin.
- Ingestion, e.g. the cat licking the oil from its fur/skin/paws or eating/licking something containing oils.
- Inhalation, e.g. the cat breathing in oils from a spray or cleaning product.
However, there are precautions you can take if you wish to use essential oils in the home. The PDSA and Cats Protection caution that products that spread essential oils into the air, such as reed diffusers, plug-ins, nebulisers and ultrasonic diffusers, may be risky as your cat can inhale the oils. Droplets of diffused oils can also land on your cat’s fur, so they could ingest oil while grooming. If you do use diffuser products, the PDSA recommends using them only in rooms where your cat can be kept out, and making sure the room is well-ventilated before allowing them back in.
Try to use cleaning and personal products without essential oils when possible. If you do use essential oils, make sure to dilute them to minimise the risk, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards before you touch your cat. Cats are great at getting onto high surfaces and into small spaces, so make sure to store essential oils (and any products that contain them) out of your cat’s reach.
Finally, never use essential oils as a flea repellent or treatment for your cat; ask your vet for a recommendation or prescription product instead. If in doubt about using essential oils safely, speak with your vet for advice.
When to Call the Vet
According to the PDSA, symptoms of essential oil poisoning include:
- Dribbling or drooling excessively.
- Vomiting.
- Shaking or having tremors.
- Walking unsteadily.
- Seeming lethargic.
- Having difficulty breathing or wheezing.
- Collapsing.
- Having seizures.
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 product you think may be causing their symptoms.
Related products
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Salmon is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep sthem lean & healthy.
Mature Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports graceful aging in cats, providing a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity levels.
Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life.
CULINARY CREATIONS ADULT CAT FOOD
Hill's Science Plan CULINARY CREATIONS Adult cat food with Salmon & Carrots was formulated to provide a great-tasting experience to cats. Its delicious flavour and texture are combine with essential nutrients to support cats' optimal health during the prime time of their life. Specially formulated with high-quality salmon protein, essential taurine for heart health & balanced minerals to support kidneys & bladder.
Related articles
Skin Problems to Watch for in Your Cat
Understand common skin issues in cats and how to manage them effectively. Learn signs and prevention, and get care tips. Find out more at Hill's Pet.
Cat Poo: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how your cat's poo can be a good indicator of her overall health, including how to spot unhealthy or abnormal cat poop and what it might mean.
Cat Allergic Dermatitis: Causes & Treatments
Learn about the causes of cat dermatitis, how to spot the symptoms and the best treatment options. Visit Hill's Pet for detailed guidance and tips.
Helping a Cat with Sensitive Skin
Cats with sensitive skin have special needs and even healthy cats can sometimes develop poor skin health. Learn more about sensitive skin symptoms in your cat, what you can do to help your pet feel more comfortable and get recommendations on sensitive skin cat food.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.