While you may find essential oils, aromatherapy, or potpourri to be relaxing, your cat may be at risk from the natural components in these scents. When using these products, exercise caution to prevent a harmful reaction in your cat. It could be better to remove these goods from your cat's surroundings if they have any liver damage.
Cats and the Hazards of Essential Oils
Cats and the Hazards of Essential Oils
There was a time when some essential oils were thought to be safe for cats.
Certain enzymes necessary for the correct metabolism of the different components in essential oils, phenols in particular, are absent in cats. Certain plants naturally contain these phenolic chemicals, which are concentrated greatly in essential oils. The organ most frequently impacted by essential oils is the liver.
Essential Oils That Could Be Hazardous to Cats
It is well known that certain oils are poisonous to cats and include phenols:
1: Oil of wintergreen
2: Oil of peppermint
3: Lemon oil and other citrus oils
4: Melaleuca, or tea tree oil
5: Pine oil
6: Oil of Eucalyptus
7: Oil of cinnamon
8: Oil of pennyroyal
9: Sweet birch oil
10: Clove extract
Your cat is more at risk depending on the essential oil content. See your vet right away if your cat inadvertently swallows any oils.
Signs of Poisoning by Essential Oils in Cats
Oils that come into direct contact with a cat's skin absorb them. Breathing in oils that have been diffused into the air might lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, they may gather on the fur, whereupon your cat may swallow them while licking or cleaning. Exposure might be prolonged or result in extremely rapid toxicity.
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, get them outside as soon as possible and get in touch with your neighborhood veterinary emergency center. The vet clinic can advise you to contact a poison hotline seeking further advice on how to treat the animal. A low beat, low blood pressure, or indications of liver failure could be seen by the veterinarian.
How to Keep Your Cats Away From Essential Oils
You may use essential oils on your cat that you wouldn't want to. To keep your inquisitive pet away from essential oils, store them in a cupboard that is off-limits to cats. It is possible to tip over potpourri pots and passive reed diffusers, exposing a cat to an oil-containing liquid that it may absorb through its skin or fur upon contact. Once you've applied any essential oil-containing products, don't let your pet lick your skin. Read This: How to Keep Essential Oils Safe for Cats?
Examples of airborne essential oils that cats may inhale and cause respiratory irritation include candles, room sprays, liquid potpourri items, essential oils for aromatherapy diffusers, and candles. There may be oil in the air, so it may have an impact on your cat if you can detect its scent.
Keep older or sicker cats, kittens, and cats with liver or respiratory issues away from any room that uses essential oil diffusers. Whenever you are near your cat, avoid wearing jewelry that uses aromatherapy.
The Peril of Solvents
Many people promote hydrosols as a safer, more natural substitute for essential oils. Being less saturated than essential oils, hydrosols, also referred to as "flower waters," are the liquid that remains when steam-distilling flowers or plants in water.
Hydrosols are hazardous to cats as well as other pets, even though they are safer to use on human skin because they don't need to be diluted. Plant residue that could be harmful if swallowed or even inhaled can linger in the water.
While some pets are more sensitive to hydrosols, others can handle them. Restrict your pet's exposure to them, as well as their smells, to reduce the possibility of any health problems.
Related Post: