Essential Oils and Cats: What You Need to Know

To say that the topic of essential oils and cats is controversial is putting it mildly. Some people believe you shouldn't even diffuse essential oils around cats.

The concern arises because some essential oils may be toxic to cats, in particular oils containing phenols or benzyl alcohols. Because cats don't metabolize those substances well, they may cause liver damage.

However, aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand thinks this concern is overstated, writing:

Aromatherapy expert Salvatore Battaglia also believes concerns are overstated and writes he diffused essential oils around his cat for 16 years with no ill effects. For a look at his analysis of various claims about essential oils and cats, see his article Using Essential Oils Safely With Cats.

To ensure the highest level of safety, make sure you use only authentic essential oils. Some sources believe up to 80% of essential oils on the market are adulterated—that is, something was added to the oil after it's extraction from the plant. An adulterated oil increases the risk of an adverse reaction, in both cats and humans.

Is it safe to diffuse essential oils around cats?

Tisserand writes it's safe to diffuse small amounts of essential oils around cats for a limited time if ventilation is good and your cat can leave the room if it doesn't like what it smells. He warns not to let vapors build up over many hours.

Veterinarian Dr. Janet Roark recommends using only a water-based diffuser, not one that pulls essential oil directly from the bottle. She states she diffuses most oils around her cat but makes sure the animal can leave the room. She does not diffuse near the cat's food. She does recommend caution diffusing birch, cassia, cinnamon, clove, oregano, peppermint, thyme, and wintergreen.

Battaglia does not believe you need to avoid diffusing any essential oils around cats, as long as you follow safety guidelines. (The exceptions are essential oils considered not generally human-safe, such as bitter almond, calamus, sassafras, wormseed, and pennyroyal.)

If a cat experiences drooling, coughing, or sneezing, remove the animal from the vicinity.

Is it safe to apply essential oil to a cat's skin?

Most sources OK with essential oils and cats recommend you use the oils topically on cats only occasionally and only for a specific purpose.

Caution: Keep essential oils away from your cat’s eyes, lips, genitals, and anus. Do not place essential oils in or around litter boxes.

Never use an undiluted essential oil on a cat. Most sources agree topical application of high doses of essential oils is highly risky. In fact, many of the cases I've read about involving bad reactions happened after the use of undiluted essential oil. Don't do it!

For skin application, start with a one percent dilution (1 drop essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil) for healthy adult cats. 

Do you need to avoid any essential oils topically?

Sources differ in their opinions. For example, some sources recommend not using tea tree oil on cats. But Tisserand states he believes it's fine to use tea tree occasionally at up to a 5% dilution on cats.

American College of Healthcare Sciences suggests avoiding wintergreen, spearmint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, tea tree, fennel, clove, cinnamon, birch, tangerine, lime, grapefruit, bergamot, and basil.

Whatever you decide, be careful and prudent in the use of essential oils on a cat's skin.

Abscess Treatment

To treat an abscess on a cat: blend 1 drop german chamomile essential oil into 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel. Clean the area around the abscess with an equal mixture of water, lavender hydrosol, and colloidal silver. Apply a small amount of the aloe vera blend to the affected area only.

Source: Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.

Calming Essential Oils and Cats

Is your cat nervous, stressed, or anxious? Veterinarian Dr. Marc Smith suggests the following calming essential oils for cats:

• Lavender to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Roman chamomile to ease a cat’s anxious disposition.
• Frankincense to help create an atmosphere of relaxation and balance.
• Valerian to calm your cat’s nerves.
• Rose to create an atmosphere of serene tranquility.

Diffusion is probably the best option.

Hydrosol Alternative

If you are still concerned about essential oils and cats, consider using hydrosols instead. A cat’s liver can properly process hydrosols, according to Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals, which offers a number of blends for use with cats.

Further Reading

"animalEO for Cats" by veterinarian Dr. Melissa Shelton (she sells essential oils blended specifically for animals, including cats, and is the author of Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care).

JennScents Aromatherapy Guide for Pets by aromatherapist Jennifer Pressimone.

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Photo Credit: Alvan Nee on Unsplash