Calming Essential Oils for Cats | Safety Tips & Applications

Calming oils for cats are popular natural remedies used for their holistic benefits.

Essential oils are generally unsafe for cats, especially when these oils are formulated for humans.

However, there are also numerous debates on their safety to our feline friends. Essential oils are sometimes considered safe for use around pets when properly diluted for their safety. 

Important note: Oils with plant extracts are not the same as essential oils. Natural oils can be safe and effective for cats, but essential oils are a different story.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated hydrophobic liquids that are filled with volatile aroma components from plants. These oils are obtained from various parts of plants, including leaves, roots, bark, and flowers. Essential oils are popular for their intense fragrance and holistic properties.

Essential oils are extracted from plants using methods like distillation, cold pressing, wax embedding, expression, solvent extraction, resin trapping, and absolute oil extraction. These extraction methods ensure that the essential oil is captured in a highly concentrated form. As a result, the extraction results in a highly concentrated product.

Cats lack the liver enzymes to process the concentrations of compounds in essential oils, and this can lead to issues like toxicity and liver failure. 

Using Essential Oils Around Cats

Essential oils are not just limited to aromatherapy. There are broader applications for essential oils including:

• Soaps and Air fresheners, which involve using natural scents

• Perfumes and cosmetics, which involve adding natural fragrances

• Household cleaning products with natural aromas

• Food and drink flavoring, which involves adding natural taste enhancements

Due to the high concentration of essential oil extracts, it’s important to use them with care around smaller pets such as cats. You must properly dilute them and be mindful of their application to ensure their safety around humans and pets.

As a general rule of thumb, look up the essential oils in your household products and ensure that they're not toxic to cats. 

Are Calming Essential Oils Safe for Cats? 

Essential oils, whatever their purpose, are not advised for use in or around cats unless they're properly diluted and approved by your veterinarian. 

That said, there are other natural oils can be safe and effective for cats. Let's take a look at those. 

Calming Oils You Can Use for Cats

While essential oils aren't the best choice for cats, there are other natural oils from plant extracts have had a lot of success for various issues in cats. Cat owners claim that these products have helped in a number of cases. 

1. Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is extracted from the hemp plant. Hemp contains CBD (Cannabidiol), a natural chemical that may promote calmness and holistic support to your pet.

Hemp oil is increasingly becoming a popular option for pet owners seeking relief in their pets. Hemp oil for cats should be formulated specifically for your feline friend, and come with dosing guidelines and third-party lab test results.

Many pet parents have reported that hemp oil supported their cats' overall well-being, including calmness and relaxation.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is derived from the kernel of coconuts. It is a versatile oil known for its nourishing properties, tropical aroma, richness in fatty acids, and is commonly used to maintain skin and coat health.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils for Cats

Research on the benefits of using essential oils is still ongoing. The currently known benefits are based on anecdotal evidence and testimonies from happy cat owners who have benefitted from essential oils.

As long as you are diluting with a carrier oil and administering essential oils responsibly, cat safe essential oils can have numerous benefits to your cat. Each essential oil has its own unique benefits. In a nutshell, essential oils may support your cat in the following ways:

• Providing a calming effect on your cat’s nerves

• Supporting pets with seasonal allergies

• Supporting normal respiratory function and health

• Supporting proper digestion and bowel health

• Supporting gut health

• Supporting liver and kidney functions

Always remember to involve your veterinarian before using any essential oil product on or near your cat.

How to Safely Use Essential Oils for Cats

Cats lack certain liver enzymes that help the body to break down various substances. As a result, cats can be sensitive to concentrated essential oils and other specific essential oils.

The lack of this liver enzyme does not mean that cats cannot metabolize, they just do it differently. In some cases, they can metabolize substances more efficiently than other species. This factor makes it necessary to use essential oils carefully on or around cats.

You can administer essential oils topically. To use essential oil products topically, you need a 1% essential oil concentration. You can administer by applying one drop of essential oil on your cat’s favorite toy or blanket. Highly concentrated essential oils are generally unsafe when applied to the cat’s skin.

You can also use an essential oil diffuser to diffuse essential oils. A diffuser converts the essential oil into a mist and spreads it into the surroundings. You can use a few drops of the essential oil in your diffuser. Use a slow diffuser since it disperses essential oils at a slower rate, reducing the risk of essential oil toxicity to your cat.

Can Essential Oils Be Toxic to Your Cat?

Yes, essential oils can be toxic to your cat.

Typically, essential oil toxicity depends on the specific oil, amount, and dilution. You need to properly dilute essential oils whether you are using a topical application or an essential oil diffuser.

Cats lack the liver enzymes to process the concentration of most essential oils, making most essential oils toxic to them.

Since cats have millions more sensitive receptors than humans, they tend to be more sensitive to smells. To find out whether your pet has been affected by essential oils, you may look out for symptoms like:

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Seizures

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Drooling

• Difficulty breathing

However, these are only general and respiratory signs. Your cat may also experience neurological signs such as unsteadiness, muscle tremors, or difficulty walking.

What to do If Your Cat Reacts to Essential Oils

If you notice any adverse effects when using essential oils, call your vet immediately. Tell them the type of oil you used and the type of exposure. Your cat may have been exposed through inhaling, direct ingestion through licking, or direct contact with a concentrated essential oil on their skin.

Conclusion

Because there are so many concerns regarding the safety of using essential oils around cats, we don't suggest trying them for your feline friend. If you're curious about particular oils or products, consult your veterinarian.

As a pet owner, you are responsible for identifying essential oils toxic to your cat, recognizing the signs of toxicity, and prioritizing the safety of your feline friend. Involve your vet to identify calming essential oils and safely navigate the application process.

In place of essential oils, you can consider other natural products formulated specifically for cats. 

References:

Read more on the differences in the aroma profile of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) after different drying conditions.

Read more on the nanodelivery systems for D-limonene; techniques and applications.

Read more on the scientific validation of Cannabidiol (CBD) for management of dog and cat diseases.

Read more on the biological activity of the birch leaf and bark.

Read more on the efficacy and residual effect of rose essential oil and its effect on cat fleas.

Read more on the smell and stress response in the brain when using essential oil.

Read more on the comparison of volatile constituents present in commercial and lab-distilled frankincense (Boswellia carteri) essential oils.

Read more on the formulation, preparation, and stability of essential oils.

Read more on the holistic applications of chamomile.