Many of us love essential oils, whether it's because of their smell or their curative effects. Every other home has an aroma lamp or diffuser. But did you know what effects these fragrances have on your cats, and that they can seriously harm them? If we want to use essential oils (EO) responsibly, we should first check the safety of their use. Cats are part of our family, and we should not forget that they are part of our environment. When not used properly, essential oils can cause harm to people, but also - and even more so - to cats, which are far more vulnerable. We are their guardians and carers, so it is up to us to provide a healthy environment for them to live in, which does not just include a good diet and plenty of attention.
The reason why essential oils are harmful to cats is the fact that they lack enzymes that break down these oils, specifically glucuronosyltransferase, an important enzyme responsible for liver detoxification. Their liver and kidneys therefore cannot synthesize certain EO substances. Due to their limited metabolism, the use of aromatherapy in cats is very limited. Exposing cat's to essential oils can cause a toxic reaction that is even detectable in blood tests. Poisoning, severe liver and kidney damage or neurotoxic effects may also occur.
Don't be fooled; just because essential oils are natural, this does not make them healthy or even automatically beneficial substances. The safety of the use of each essential oil is based on its biochemical components, and toxic reactions to it also vary accordingly. Moreover, animal aromatherapy is different from human aromatherapy, and it has its own safety measures. EOs that are toxic to cats include lemon, tea tree and menthol, and eucalyptus is considered harmful (danger of liver damage). The most common potentially harmful EOs include pine, birch, mint, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, thyme, oregano, lavender and ylang ylang. Of course, the risk also depends on the oil quality, concentration and method of contact.
What are the symptoms of a toxic reaction to these substances? You may notice one or more of the following reactions, and they do not necessarily occur immediately after contact:
Excessive salivation
Nausea or loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Depression
Seizures
Skin irritation
Irritation or inflammation of the mucosa (after improper or internal use)
Confusion or disorientation
Poor coordination, stiffness or temporary paralysis
Avoid any internal use of EOs for cats. Also make sure they don't lick your hands after you've used them. The same applies to skin contact (also when used in detergents on floors, for example, where there is a risk of skin contamination and internal use by subsequent licking of paws). Your cat should not even be in a room with a diffuser, as your cat will then be in contact with the chemical ingredients of the essential oils (they not only inhale them, they also stick to their skin/fur). If you still want to use a diffuser in the presence of a cat, the room should be well ventilated and the cat should be able to leave it. A personal diffuser, aromatherapy jewellery or local application for your own use is a better choice.
Don't think the cat will always leave the room on its own if the smell bothers it; It may be interested in what's going on in the room, it may examine the new smell, it may be captivated by the light of the diffuser or the steam rising from it, etc.
The good news is that there are several alternatives to essential oils that you can use even in the company of your cats. These include floral waters (hydrosols, also known as hydrolates) and Bach flower remedies. Unlike essential oils, hydrosols are water soluble and can be used (diluted) for cats to treat small surface wounds such as abscesses, inflammation or itching. Lavender, chamomile or marigold hydrosols are suitable for these purposes. A solution diluted with water 1:7 is recommended.
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