Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe for Cats?

In a world of natural cat health products, you're probably wondering:

Can I use essential oils for cats? Specifically, is lavender essential oil safe for cats?

There are numerous questions many pet parents have, and for a good reason. However, when it comes to lavender oil and other essential oils, there are a variety of opinions to be found on the topic.

Lavender oil is among the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy for humans, so there's a good chance you have some in your house. Some resources will say that lavender is safe for cats, although many of those resources also sell cat products with lavender. 

The overwhelming majority of resources including The ASPCA, PetMD, Pet Poison Helpline, and many others claim that lavender essential oil is not safe for cats, and it can even be deadly. 

While cats can sniff and be around lavender plants, they should not ingest them. Lavender essential oil is highly concentrated lavender, so consuming this can be a real problem. 

Let's learn more.

Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe for Cats?

Many pet owners have found benefits in using essential oils for their cat’s health. That said, essential oils formulated for use in humans are generally unsafe for cats. 

Lavender essential oil products made for humans should be kept away from cats.

Smelling, ingesting, and even touching a lavender essential oil could be harmful to your cat. 

Even if the plant that the oil comes from is safe, that doesn't mean the essential oil is safe. Essential oil formulations typically come in extremely high concentrations, and overly-concentrated substances formulated for humans are often too much for our pets' internal systems to tolerate.

The best ways to safely use essential oils is to refer to research-approved opinions on which essential oils to use and how to use them. Such opinions will allow you to identify safe essential oils for your feline companions.

Symptoms of Essential Oil Poisoning in Cats

As a pet parent, you know your cat best. In case you’ve used essential oils on or near your cat and they’re not feeling well, contact your veterinarian immediately. Exposure to concentrated essential oils can lead to essential oil poisoning.

The signs of essential oil toxicity to watch out for include:

• drooling
• panting
• difficulty breathing (respiratory distress)
• unsteady gait
• weakness
• low body temperature
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• rubbing of their face
• redness on the lips, gums, or inside the mouth.

What to do if you Cat Experiences Essential Oil Poisoning

In case you encounter any symptoms of essential oil poisoning, contact your vet immediately. Take note of the time and amount of essential oil ingested.

Your cat needs prompt treatment to address the uncomfortable effects. Your vet may ask you to take your cat for an exam. Never try to induce vomiting at home as it can be dangerous to your cat.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are plant extracts known for their aromatic and holistic support properties. Essential oils have been used as herbal remedies for hundreds of years. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved them for therapeutic use in both humans and pets.

Essential oils are extracted from plants, purified, and concentrated for various uses. While all essential oils come from plants, not all oils and extracts from plant are classified as essential oils.

The best essential oils for cats are those found to be safe and effective by researchers in veterinary medicine. Many essential oils, especially when concentrated, are considered toxic to felines. Therefore, using diluted and safe essential oils for cats is important to prevent any issues. Do not attempt to feed any essential oil to your cat.

How are Essential Oils Used?

Essential oils have different uses. For instance, essential oils can be used as cosmetics and cleaning products as an alternative to synthetic chemicals due to their safe and natural holistic support properties.

Essential oils can be applied directly to the skin, ingested internally sometimes, or diffused into the air to generate a scented atmosphere. They may provide a calming effect on nerves and help with relaxation in humans.

However, since essential oils are concentrated, it’s important to use them with care for yourself. Don't use essential oils for humans on your cat unless you have direct advice from your veterinarian to do so. 

Are Essential Oils Safe for Cats?

Our feline friends are unable to process chemicals in a similar way as humans do. Therefore, you must be cautious when using essential oils since they have varying chemical compositions, which include alcohols, esters, aldehydes, terpenes, and limonene.

While essential oils are considered plant-based remedies, they must be used with care around cats since they have a unique metabolic process. Studies show that toxic essential oils in general include all essential oils used in large doses. A dose that is 5 to 10 times more than what is required is considered a large dose. Talk to your veterinarian before settling on a dose size for your cat.

An enzyme called glucuronosyltransferase helps break down compounds found in essential oils, including phenols. Cats lack this enzyme.

The lack of this liver enzyme doesn’t mean that cats are unable to metabolize these compounds, but they do so differently. There is still ongoing research on how cats process essential oils. Such studies highlight the significance of understanding the unique biology of our feline companions.

What is Carrier Oil?

A carrier oil is mixed with an active ingredient to improve its bioavailability. Bioavailability is the amount of a substance that gets ingested and metabolized by a person or animal, without that substance passing through the digestive system or excreted. 

Carrier oils are in place to "carry" the active ingredient into the bloodstream in most cases, allowing that ingredient to function as it's supposed to. Most essential oils are formulated with carrier oils. 

These oils might not be safe for your pet, particularly if the product is formulated for humans. This is yet another variable that affects your feline's safety, making it unwise to use store-bought essential oils for your pets. 

Tips Before Using Essential Oils for Cats

The only essential oils that can be confidently used for pets are those that have been formulated specifically for use in pets. Because there isn't a great deal of regulation around essential oils for pets, it's equally important only to use essential oils for your cat if your vet gives you the go-ahead approval.

Cats have millions of more sensory receptors than people have. These receptors make them sensitive to concentrated smells. You also need to consider the size of your pet, which means the smaller they are, the more you want to dilute essential oils. The safety of essential oils depends on the specific oil, dilution, and quantity. 

Using Oils With Natural Ingredients Could be a Better Option

Oils that contain plant extracts are different from essential oils. 

Essential oils are typically extremely concentrated, making them riskier for pets. 

Oils with plant extract ingredients are usually formulated to get the most out of a particular ingredient, or group of ingredients, and these tend to be less dangerous. Of course, this depends on the ingredients used and whether or not they have shown to be safe for use in pets. 

Here are some oil ingredients that you could seek out in place of essential oils. 

Turmeric

Turmeric is generally considered safe for cats in moderate amounts. It also has a host of potential benefits, but there are health considerations to keep in mind.

Hemp Oil

Hemp oil, often referred to as full-spectrum CBD oil for cats, can be a helpful addition to your cat's health regimen. Many cat owners use this product to support mobility, encourage a healthier mood, and immune-boosting properties from the omega 3s in these oils. 

What you need to Know about Lavender Essential Oil

The lavender essential oil comes in numerous forms, including Lavendula Angustifalia (lavender). Lavender is a popular herbaceous plant, which is known for its aroma and calming properties. Lavender’s origins include France, England, and Bulgaria. It offers a distinct floral aroma with an underlying freshness.

It can be toxic if applied topically or if undiluted. When used in properly diluted proportions, lavender oil's calming properties may have numerous benefits for cats.

How to Safely Use Lavender Essential Oil for Cats?

If you're using a vet-approved lavender oil for cats, there are a couple of safety measures to keep in mind before use.

Source for a Safe Essential Oil Product

You must select only high-quality oils formulated specifically for cats. Even products for dogs might not be safe for cats, as the two animals have different metabolisms, enzymes, and bodily processes that affect the tolerability of oils. 

These oils should have been thoroughly studied, lab-tested, and proven safe for cats. Since there are no certificates for these oils to verify their quality, know whom you are purchasing the product from and verify their authenticity. Involve your vet in the process for guidance.

Select a High-Quality, Natural Essential Oil

High-quality, natural essential oils have reduced risks of adverse effects. Natural essential oils are plant-based, which means they have numerous benefits for your pet. As a result, you can use them to calm and relax your pet while receiving their holistic benefits to promote health.

Use Diffuse Essential Oils

To avoid essential oil poisoning, you can use essential oil diffusers. Essential oil diffusers enable you to administer essential oils while protecting your cat from toxic essential oils. Each essential oil has a specific dilution ratio, and therefore, it’s important to follow dilution instructions closely.

Closing Remarks

As a pet parent, you must exercise caution when administering any essential oil to your cat. Pay close attention to the communication signs your cat is giving around you.

Contact your vet immediately in case your cat gives signs of essential oil poisoning.

References:

1. Read more on the chemical composition of essential oils.

2. Read more on the applications of lavender essential oils.

3. Read more on the use of lavender essential oil.

4. Read more on the use of essential oils in veterinary medicine.