Essential oils kill cats – true or false? It is commonly believed that the concentrated plant essences used in aromatherapy may be toxic to animals, particularly cats. Although poor quality oils pose a risk to felines – and to humans – it is not the essential oil that may cause health problems, but the chemical additives and byproducts of poorly processed oils. Where did the myth about essential oil toxicity originate? What can be done to protect the health of your pets?
What is an Essential Oil?
Essential oils are fragrant liquids pressed or distilled from plants. They are loaded with hundreds of different chemicals with medicinal properties, and can be used for everything from pain relief or easing stomach aches and migraine headaches to assisting with psychotherapy. Essential oils are not oily per se – but they are called oils because they mix easily with oil (massage oil, bath oils) and separate from water.
Essential Oils and Animals
Essential oils can be a powerful tool for healing human people – and animal people, too. Animals are often better able to trust their instinct of what is good and bad for them. Domestic cats and dogs will eat grass and herbs to ease digestive troubles; wild animals will often gravitate toward the plants that have the medicinal properties their bodies most need.
Animals may react positively to essential oils, or they may find the smell too overpowering. Most horses adore being worked on with essential oils. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, may find the aromas too strong to appeal to their sensitive noses. Either way, the oils can be an effective form of natural treatment for pet illnesses and injuries.
“Healing” with Toxic Oils – the Evolution of Aromatherapy
The trouble is that not all essential oils are produced alike. Some essential oils are distilled at low heat and low temperature from plants painstakingly grown without pesticides or other chemicals. These oils are considered “therapeutic-grade”, and will contain all the medicinal properties of the plant in a very concentrated form.
Other oils are produced more rapidly, at high temperatures, using chemical solvents. The plants may not have been grown organically or harvested under optimal conditions. These oils may smell just as good but are considered “perfume grade” – they are not as potent as therapeutic grade oils and may contain toxic components.
Safety note: Even these toxic oils may be labeled “therapeutic-grade”, since there is no regulation on these terms. Please investigate the quality of any oil before applying it to your cat – or using it yourself.
Because many aromatherapists have been trained using only the cheaper, toxic oils, they believe that oils should not be applied directly on the body (for humans) at all, or used on animals or children. This is absolutely untrue – but you need to have the right oils to do so safely.
Cats and Essential Oils
Like their other senses, cats have an acute sense of smell. They are usually not too keen on being treated with essential oils – so it can take some ingenuity to sneak up on them and apply any oils.
Because they are so sensitive, the best way to apply oils to a cat is to rub a drop (or a half drop) of essential oil into your hands until they feel dry – then apply the oil on your hands to the bottoms of their feet. Cats have reflexology points, too! The feet are one of the gentlest and safest ways to apply an oil to any person, be they human, feline, or another animal.
To ensure safety, the only oils safe for feline use are those whose quality you have checked into thoroughly.
How to Find Pure Essential Oils
See The Real Quality of Essential Oils or contact the author to learn more.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
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