- Lavender.
- Cornmint.
- Cedar/Cedarwood.
- Bergamot.
- Lemongrass.
- Rosemary.
- Geranium.
- Citronella.
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Over the past few years, using essential oils has become more and more common. Despite being extremely popular, there is scant and conflicting scientific evidence regarding the benefits to health. This is especially true when talking about how your pet’s health may be affected.
Pets should never be exposed to many essential oils, including eucalyptus, tea tree, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang. These are harmful whether they are licked up after a spill, applied to the skin, or used in diffusers.
Diffusers can be dangerous despite their pleasant aroma and apparent benignity because they release minute oil droplets into the air using water vapour. If diffused oils are used in a small area or for an extended period of time, it is known that both people and animals’ respiratory systems may be adversely affected.
It’s important to remember that compared to humans, animals like cats and dogs are much more sensitive to smells. A scent that seems inconsequential to you and is pleasant for you might be overpowering and harmful to an animal. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”. vc_custom_1582581456802{margin-top: 25px !important;}”].
Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe for Cats?
Although there is a common misconception that essential oils are toxic to cats, many essential oils are actually safe and helpful for cats. Again, you can use most essential oils with your cat without risk as long as you only use therapeutic or medical grade essential oils that have passed a GCMS test, dilute the oil appropriately, and adhere to the recommended therapeutic uses.
Dr. Internationally renowned holistic veterinarian Melissa Shelton, DVM, is an expert in using high-quality essential oils for the complete and all-natural care of all animals, including dogs, horses, birds, and yes, even cats. She has written four books about the topic and has instructed essential oil classes across the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Dr. Shelton is recognized as the foremost authority on using essential oils with all animals, including insects and elephants.
The Science Behind Cats and Essential Oils, an article by Dr. Shelton clarifies the popular social media posts about cats and using essential oils that you may have seen.
The primary research article cited to support the notion that phenols are toxic to cats is from 1972, which raises the question, “Where did our misconception about cats come from? This is very, very old in the medical field. Further reading reveals that it has nothing to do with natural essential oils and everything to do with injecting, preservative-adding meat products, or bacteriostatic use of benzyl alcohol in pharmaceutical or biological products. You might be concerned about the use of any phenol if you only read the article’s headline, “Toxicosis in Cats from the Use of Benzyl Alcohol in Lactated Ringer’s Solution,” which appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1983. However, we really need to evaluate apples to apples. You would err on the side of caution if you had no knowledge of veterinary medicine, feline physiology, or the significant distinction between a chemical benzene ring and a naturally occurring substance containing a benzene ring. which appears to apply to the majority of the aromatherapy community at this time. ”.
“And sadly, more current information is out there. Even in the Small Animal Practice – Vol. Veterinary Clinics of North America, November 1984, 14, No. In the section titled Symposium on Advances in Feline Medicine II, on page 6, Jeff R. Wilcke DVM, MS. If we are aware of and take into account certain peculiarities, even drugs that are known to be toxic to cats can be used safely. ” That basically says it all. Here we are, 33 years later, still debating whether or not essential oils are killing cats and reporting everywhere that it is a major area of concern. If essential oils were really as toxic as those reports suggest, cats would be falling over dead all over the world. I am amazed at the level of safety actually observed given the astounding amount of essential oil use in homes with various animals. It will matter what type of essential oil is used, just like in the phenol research. I disagree that genuine, natural essential oils and synthetic or altered essential oils should even be considered to be in the same category. ”.
“We need to treat essential oils the same way we treat drugs,” There are species considerations, dosing considerations, and interval considerations. This is normal. ” says Dr. Shelton. As with most essential oils, using lavender essential oil for cats is safe as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions. However, you should start them on low doses to gauge their response. Remember to keep a close eye out for any changes whenever you start your pet on a new health regimen, and call your veterinarian if you notice any adverse reactions.
Risks of Essential Oils for Dogs and Cats
One thing to keep in mind about essential oils is their extreme potency. A plant’s potency is 50–70 times greater than that of an essential oil. This suggests that it might be dangerous, especially to small animals.
Essential oils must be sufficiently diluted before being diffused or applied topically. Pets are more sensitive to strong odors than people because they have millions more olfactory receptors, so adequate dilution is essential. Additionally, remember that you should dilute it more with smaller animals.
The most typical side effect of using essential oils on your pet is skin irritability. But most of these reactions go away in 24 to 48 hours with dilution and exposure to fresh air. In any case, using essential oils around animals who are young, pregnant, nursing, or taking certain medications should be done with extreme caution.
You probably envision the lovely purple plant Lavandula angustifolia when you think of lavender. The lavender plant can be incredibly beneficial to your garden. In fact, lavender plants have been shown to effectively fend off bothersome mosquitoes without endangering bee populations or other beneficial pollinators in your area.
Lavender essential oil, like the plant itself, has numerous advantages for animals like dogs, cats, and even horses.
Dogs frequently use lavender oil to relieve itchiness, irritation, and inflammation. Additionally recommended uses for lavender essential oil include treating skin conditions, fungus infections, muscular problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, insomnia, and, of course, its calming effects.
Lavender can also:
WHY USE LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL FOR YOUR DOG?
Your dog likely already receives a lot of grooming, deodorizing, tick and flea repellent treatments, and more. And chances are good that you’ve visited your veterinarian for medication at some point if your pet has other problems like anxiety, motion sickness, insomnia, or even allergies.
What if you knew that lavender essential oil is a true little multitasker that can do all of these things? Lavender essential oil has been used in aromatherapy for hundreds of years to successfully help with a wide variety of ailments – which has been proven in numerous scientific studies.
Lavender oil is known for being one of the gentlest sedatives available, calming and soothing the nerves, easing anxiety and depression, and promoting deeper, more restful sleep. However, it is less well known that it can also treat dry, itchy skin, soothe pain from small wounds, burns, and bites, and act as a natural bug repellent (insects detest its smell). The icing on the cake is that it also has a fantastic scent.
FAQ
Is Diffusing lavender oil safe for dogs?
Pet-safe Essential Oils. Despite the fact that most essential oils should be avoided by pet parents, some can be used correctly and be safe for pets. For instance, the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats is probably lavender (when used sparingly and in the right concentration).
Can dogs breathe in lavender?
Direct inhalation You can give your dog lavender by diffusing it or by putting a few drops of the oil in his bedding or collar. Dogs can also benefit from lavender by breathing in the aroma of essential oils, and doing so is a great way to prevent him from becoming allergic to it.
Can breathing essential oils be harmful to dogs?
If diffused oils are used in a small area or for an extended period of time, it is known that both people and animals’ respiratory systems may be adversely affected. It’s important to remember that compared to humans, animals like cats and dogs are much more sensitive to smells.