Do Essential Oils Kill Cats?
According to an article at Suite101.com, it's not the core components of essential oils that are harmful to cats. Instead, it's the additional components that are found in poor quality oils. In other words, the implication is that high quality oils would not harm cats. The article in question, which was written in 2007 by Victoria Anisman-Reiner, asks: True or False: Aromatherapy Oils Thought to Be Poisonous to 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?"  A little research into what scientists and veterinarians have to say should set things straight. In order to sort this out, we need to answer two questions. First, do essential oils kill cats (or otherwise do them harm)? Second, if so, what is the mechanism at work that causes the harm? This is an important topic for cat owners, since there are shampoos, soaps, and flea treatments that may contain essential oils. Tea tree oil poisoning is suspected in at least one cat death. The actual cause of death is unknown, and a postmortem was not done. There is no antidote, however, for tea tree oil toxicosis. If one cat gets sick or dies, that's one cat too many. Tea tree oil is sometimes recommended as a "natural" flea remedy, and in some cases, as part of a home treatment for ear mites in cats. So, what is it about essential oils and cats that don't mix? Well, cats have a different metabolic system from humans, and they have very picky livers. In the year 1910, the Nobel Prize for Chemistry went to Geheimrat Otto Wallach. Wallach sorted out the mystery behind terpenes, hydrocarbons which are core components of plant essential oils. According to Dr. Safdar Khan, DVM, because they lack a certain enzyme, cats cannot efficiently eliminate terpenes in the liver. The Lavendar Cat has a pretty clear warning and explanation on how cats can be poisoned by terpenes in essential oils. Lest we think all aromatherapists dismiss the dangers to cats, another aromatherapist, Kristen Leigh Bell, warns about the dangers of using aromatherapy on cats. "...cats cannot tolerate or metabolize essential oils. Their use can lead to symptoms of toxicity or even death." While she recommends hydrosols instead, the jury is apparently still out. According to Dr. Khan, no one really knows whether or not hydrosols are safe for cats. Is potpourri bad for your kitty? There are many home remedies incorporating essential oils and aromatherapy, and potpourri and oil diffusers are common. Up through 1999 (that's 10 years ago as of this writing), there have been more than 100 cases of cats being harmed by potpourri. Cats will often investigate their environment face first, and if you put your potpourri on a table where your cat is apt to stick her nose, it's highly likely she'll get a face full of oil fumes. Worse, some cats may tip over liquids containing essential oils, covering themselves in the stuff. The bottom line? Cats cannot properly metabolize essential oils, making them potentially dangerous to your kitty. This applies to the liquid form, as well as any inhaled substances. More About Essential Oils And Cats
Three sick cats suffer from tea tree oil toxicosis, one dies Jump from Essential Oils Kill Cats back to Cat Health Jump from Essential Oils Kill Cats back to the home page of Cat Lovers Only
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