March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month! Many pet parents are
aware of the dangers to pets posed by cleansers, medications and table foods.
But what about those all-natural aromatherapy diffusers and sprays? While the
essential oils used in these products can be beneficial for humans, some can
cause problems for pets. Others still can be fatal to our cats.
Our pets rapidly absorb essential
oils via the mouth, or over the surface of the skin. They are then metabolized
by the liver. Cats, however, lack the enzyme they need to process and eliminate
the toxins which occur naturally in certain oils. They are also inclined to
develop respiratory problems from inhaling vaporized oils. While the full scope
of essential oils known to sicken cats is not currently known, the following is
a list of oils with a well-documented history of toxicity. They include, but
are not limited to, pine, citrus, eucalyptus, Ylang ylang, peppermint,
pennyroyal, sweet birch, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, and tea tree oils. Until
more is known about the potential dangers of these products, pet parents are
advised to use extreme caution when using essential oils near pets. And under
no circumstances should essential oils be given orally to a cat, or applied
directly to a cat’s body.
| The essential oils used in air fresheners, odor removers, and aromatherapy diffusers can sicken our cats. |
