Lime oils (Citrus aurantifolia) I use Eucalyptus oil in my wash and also in water to clean floors. I have read such conflicting information regarding essential oil in cats. Over the years, thieves oil has been used to help fight off infection, improve moods, boost immunity, massage, and wound care. Another Preventive Vet team member uses Piping Rock. The more concentrated the oil, the more dangerous! I am Eleanor Price. 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. 1. Now that you've ready some safety guidelines check out my top 6 oils to use with cats. Call your veterinarian, or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680. If you intend to put the oil on your pet as a topical application instead of diffusing, you'll need what's called a carrier oil. In Australia, I love using Breeders Choice which is recycled paper. Some cat's will stay near or even lay next to a diffuser if they like the oil while others my run from it. Warning. The third method, using the oral application, is highly controversial and should be done at your own risk. Pet Health and Safety Mary Shaughney Wednesday, May 20, 2020. When trying an oil for the first time, make sure to keep an eye on your cat for any negative reactions. This is especially important with cats. Cats are the only animal that do NOT produce a liver enzyme glucuronyl transferase that is responsible for breaking down, metabolizing and eliminating these toxic compounds found in many essential oils from a cats system. For cat owners, its important to consider where your best healthy practices may conflict with those of your pet. 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. Peppermint oil has been found to be toxic to cats as it contains both oxygenated compounds called ketones and phenols. Apply 1-3 drops around cuts or open wounds to prevent infection and promote healing. No wonder people often are confused regarding this matter. Use special caution with cats and essential oils. Mix 1/2 capful of Thieves Household Cleaner to your steam mop. Thieves oil can be to some extent safe for birds however if your bird eats the essential oil, then it can have unfavorable effects on your pet bird. Thieves oil isnt really safe for dogs as dogs may go through allergic reaction, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, coughing, and so on from the exposure to thieves oil in any way or form therefore, it is best not to expose your dogs to the harmful blend of oils that are present within thieves oil. If you are a new cat parent, you may confuse difficulty in breathing with the kitty trying to expel a hairball. However, you need to make sure to only use a small amount of diluted thieves oil for your rabbits and you should never let them eat thieves oil or should never apply thieves oil on your rabbits eyes. I never put oils on my cat, and I wash my hands over and over again after I use them. Make sure that you store essential oils properly and unreachable by your cat. Sore Throat. I had 2 diffusers and two or three rolling ball bottles with a combination of 3 types of essential oils and the bottles themselves that I would use a drop or two for health or cleaning several times a day. Plus, it may kill adult fleas, which will help you get rid of these horrible creatures without using chemicals. Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) Can thieves oil help with my cat's hairballs? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Can I use tea tree oil shampoo on my hair? Thieves oil (or thieves essential oil) is a blend of multiple essential oils, including rosemary, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and cinnamon bark. Please note that these are general recommendations for use. Instead, essential oils can build up in the cat's system and lead to poisoning. When you water diffuse essential oils, if they are pure and of good quality, it is safe in a ventilated and open room. One drop, water diffused has been used safely. Thanks for this awesome article. Cats absorb and filter nutrients much differently than humans. If you're concerned about essential oil use around your pet, to chat with a veterinarian, click here, 4 drops Lemon3 drops Lavender3 drops Cypress, 3 drops Valor3 drops Orange2 drops Cedarwood1 drop Vanilla1 drop Cinnamon Bark (or plain cinnamon). Before you begin using essential oils for pets, you need to know the answers to some important questions: Can you use essential oils on dogs, cats, and other pets the same way you use them on yourself? Is thieves oil safe to diffuse around cats? Essential oils are much more potent when applied directly to the skin (yours or that of your cat). Pets' sense of smell is significantly greater than our own. You may wish to verify this dilution ratio with your own vet because some recommend taking that ratio up to 80- to 90-percent. Lemongrass is actually one essential oil that cats do not like the scent of, and it has been used to deter cats away from certain areas. It is not possible to say yes. However, if a pet is sniffing the diffuser and gets oil in the airway, it could be disastrous. I see that tea tree oil is deadly to cats. Its constituent oils are toxic to dogs whether ingested or applied on the skin. You also need to make sure you dont spend any more time observing the symptoms that may indicate that your dog is having negative effects from the consumption of thieves oil rather the sooner you contact your veterinarian, the better it is for your dogs chances to survive. 3) Just because paws have leathery pads that doesn't mean it's safe to apply essential oils to them. It's a good . Your email address will not be published. Some essential oil manufacturers even claim that their products are effective pesticides, so you may be wondering if essential oils are safe to use on your pets for flea and tick control. Correspondingly, is thieves cleaner toxic? So, if a diffused essential oil is harmful to them, they may stay in the room and not leave. 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. In fact, eucalyptus oil, which is a component of thieves oil, can be toxic when ingested. Required fields are marked *. HOWEVER, if you have a cat and are uneasy about using peppermint or if your cat is very sensitive to things, you can just omit the peppermint from the ingredient list. There are a lot of opinions out there about whether or not thieves oil is safe for dogs and the answer seems to be a resounding "maybe.". Accordingly, cats tend to have sensitive skin and stomach therefore if your cat eats, smells, or inhales thieves oil, then it can result in adverse effects like breathing difficulty, digestive problems, liver problems and so on. But you should note that many of its benefits are based on anecdotal claims. . And if so, how should you administer it? As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. Alternatively, you can use oil blends that are great at dispelling odours, such as Purification or Di-Gize, or even Lavender. Breathing in the aroma of diffusers is generally not a problem. Always consult with your vet about any hesitancy you have before using thieves oil or any other essential oil on your cat to ensure that you are acting in the best interest of your pet. Heres what you need to know before giving your cat thieves oil. 2023 Preventive Vet. With all animals, use extreme caution when using high-phenol oilssuch as Oregano, Wintergreen, Clove, Mountain Savory, and Thyme. Thieves Household Cleaner is safe and effective for use with pets, including cats, dogs, horses and many other animal companions we share our homes and hearts with. 4) Got a Norwegian Forest cat? When it comes to using essential oils on cats, there are several things to keep in mind to keep your kitty healthy and safe. I thought peppermint was also toxic to cats? Thieves oil is not at all safe for dogs and this is why you should never expose your dog to such essential oil. As a result, concentrated essential oils should never be directly applied to cats. However if you have any concerns, reach out to a Veterinarian who has experience with EO's and cats. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. Can you recommend an essential oil for my cat with kidney disease. Unfortunately, cats and most essential oils are not a good mix. Since I started sharing essential oils one of the most popular questions I get asked 'is it safe to use around my pets?'. And because they cannot break the metabolites, such essential oils can cause toxicity in cats bodies. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil for dilution. Read on to learn more about this. Its from orange blossoms instead of the fruit, but I want to make sure before I use it in my room diffuser. It is also antibacterial and antimicrobial, which means it inhibits the growth of microorganisms if there are any in your dog's body. You can do this by taking your cat to a health professional first just to make sure there are no other underlying illnesses. It has not been found to cause death, but rather digestive problems. Some cats who hate an oil being diffused in a room will accept it on their caretaker. No, thieves is not safe for cats, because it contains oils they cannot metabolize. Before we dive in, I must point out some crucial precautions. Additionally, liver enzymes called glucuronosyltransferase are not present in cats which makes cats vulnerable to the toxic element of thieves oil because due to the lack of these enzymes, cats cannot metabolize the harmful chemicals present within thieves oil. Even if your oils are sealed tightly, there is a likelihood that there will be residual oil on the bottle that your cat could lick off or get on their fur. She graduated from North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine and following graduation, she began her career as an associate veterinarian and worked closely with the local shelter. Essential oils are very much unsafe for dogs and for any other type of pet and if you are not careful with thieves oil near your dog then you risk your dog to have several negative consequences upon the consumption of thieves essential oil. Hi Christina, thank you for your question! Though there are many cases where certain essential oils have been applied directly to eliminate fleas, heal wounds, and improve joint pain in cats, it is a personal choice best left to the owner and the vet to determine. Is this true, or will they avoid the room if the oil is too much for them? Everyday household cleaners that the animals areexposed to or accidentally get into can cause skin irritations, allergies and accidental poisoning. (Complete Guide). Beth Turner is a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. If your cats ingest these substances, their intestines and liver dont have the necessary enzymes capable of eliminating, absorbing, or even digesting the oils leading to various health complications in the animal. You list several, but Im wondering about Neroli. If using 100% pure essential oils in the proper manner, there is significant data that they can be used safely. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antioxidant, and anti-fungi properties. As I'm getting started with essential oils for more natural well-being in my life, I hope to provide you with many valuable resources, tips, tricks and reviews to help you do the same. Essential oils are highly concentrated and contain the purest part of the plant or flower that they are derived from. Phenols They can be toxic to your cat, but be prepared that they may cause increased sensitivity in you too if overexposed. Much like common houseplants that are toxic for cats, essential oils pose a threat, even in small amounts and especially when concentrated. Thieves Household Cleaner is safe and effective for use with pets, including cats, dogs, horses and many other animal companions we share our homes and hearts with. 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. I personally use oils from Young Living Essential Oils. The recipes I've included below are based on their products, and I can only vouch for these specific oils. Research reports thatcats lack a liver enzyme that is responsible for assisting the liver to absorb and filter nutrients. Consult a veterinarian with essential oil experience before use around them. If you have to diffuse thieves oil (or any other essential oil for that matter) around the house, there are a few precautions that you should take, including: The short answer is: there isnt any essential oil thats 100% safe for catsall of them have the POTENTIAL to be toxic to your kitty. Published Jan 9, 2018. (Read This First! When diffusing, always allow the cat freedom to leave the area especially if the cat expresses agitation, anxiety, tremors or drooling- these are signs that the oil concentration is too strong or that the oils is having an adverse reaction. Well, as you can see, the list above contains oils that are key ingredients in thieves oil: clove, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cinnamon bark. Cats are deficient in an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which is responsible for breaking down phenol. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. A Michigan woman's online account of her family cat's brush with eucalyptus oil used in a diffuser spurred concern among fellow pet . Your cats sense of smell is indeed exceptional. As long as your cat has a way to escape the room, I wouldnt worry about him or her in the same room. In fact thieves essential oil contains eucalyptus oil which can be helpful in treating upper respiratory conditions in dogs. And animals dont always know that leaving a room or space will remove the discomfort theyre feeling anyway. 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