When we live in a home with cats, often we look for ways to mask the smell of their bathroom behavior. Many of us avoid candles for fear of our counter-surfing cats. There are also those little plugins or wax warmers, too. In recent years, essential oils have grown in widespread popularity. But did you know that essential oils can be potentially deadly to our feline friends?
When it comes to these fragrant oils that many of us use, there are certainly particular ones that are toxic to our cats. Essential oils come from the deepest part of the plant, and there are even plants that have leaves and stems that are non-toxic to cats but are actually toxic in essential oils form.
Additionally, we know that cats are curious by nature. Should the diffuser and the water and oils tip over and spill, then there is the risk that they can directly ingest it.
To be safe than sorry, always keep these out of sight and out of reach of your feline friends. Some might want to go as far as to throw them out, but this is up to you and should be done at your own discretion. Remember, essential oils are highly potent and should always be diluted regardless.
If you choose to use a diffuser for your essential oils in your home, skip on the ones that can pose a threat to your cat. VetMed released a statement warning pet owners about the essential oils that can be toxic to our four-legged friends—dogs included:
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Bitter almond
- Cinnamon
- Clove Leaf
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Mint (Including wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint)
- Myrrh
- Orange
- Pine
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Sassafras
- Tarragon
- Tea tree
- Thyme
- Wormwood
- Ylang ylang
Although you might be thinking, “What’s the harm?” remember we don’t sit around grooming ourselves like our pets do. We all know that cats are meticulous about their grooming regimen, so this is what puts them most at risk. With diffusers, the steam goes out in the air mixed with the droplets from the essential oils and that toxic oil can literally land right on their coat.
We might often think that natural is best, but such is not always the case. Please share this with other pet owners that you know to help keep kitties safe.
Do you know that salt lamps also pose a threat to our fur friends? One vet is warning of the dangers after a cat nearly lost their life due to one:
