Many veterinarians and other pet care experts recommend not using tea tree oil for cats, even though it has been considered a safe and effective remedy for some feline complaints in the past. Tea tree oil is one of several essential oils, such as peppermint oil, considered toxic to these animals.
You may not realize it, but certain scents and pure essential oils like tea tree, citrus, and eucalyptus oil can be harmful toxic oils to your little feline. Many compounds in these pure essential oils contain toxins that can be fatal if your kitty breathes them in or ingests them.
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
Exposure may cause ataxia, salivation, lethargy, coma and tremor. Dermal exposure to tea tree oil may also result in dermatitis as the oil is irritant to skin. Even a few drops of pure tea tree oil applied dermally can cause clinical signs, and deaths have occurred in pets treated with pure tea tree oil.
Tea Tree Oil poisoning can occur from skin exposure, oral ingestion or a combination of the two. Signs of poisoning can occur within 2-12 hours of ingestion and can include: Vomiting and drooling. Lethargy and weakness.
No, undiluted tea tree oil is not safe for dogs or cats. You shouldn't use tea tree oil on or around your pets unless it's been professionally formulated, diluted, and thus proven safe. Even then you must monitor your pet closely, and we recommend avoiding the use of the ingredient altogether.
Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. Serious side effects can occur, including: Confusion. A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
Toxic consumption:
Intoxication is most often seen when 100% tea tree oil is used. As little as 7-8 drops (10-20 mL) applied to the skin may be fatal to both cats and dogs.
You also want to incorporate some antiviral essential oils into your pet odor removal. Many of these antiviral oils also have antibacterial properties, so they are really a great option for removing pet odors. Some antiviral essential oils include: Tea Tree Oil.
When diluted and used safely, tea tree oil can kill and repel fleas. But it is among the herbal treatments listed as “especially risky” in the Merck Veterinary Manual.
Tea tree oil can be poisonous to cats, especially if the oil is applied without first being diluted, or if the dose is too high. Many veterinarians and other pet care experts recommend not using tea tree oil for cats, even though it has been considered a safe and effective remedy for some feline complaints in the past.
Cats dislike eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint – just choose the ones you don't mind the scent of yourself.
The best essential oils that are safe for cats are rosemary, copaiba, helichrysum, oregano, frankincense and cedarwood essential oil. Cats can also tolerate chamomile, lavender, thyme and valerian essential oils at very diluted concentrations.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
One popular oil that many people may not be keen to give up is tea tree oil. Unfortunately, of all the toxic scents for dogs, tea tree oil is one of the most dangerous, as this oil is often highly concentrated. Tea tree oil is often used in many items to help people relax and also for its antibacterial properties.
For a home remedy, you can use a vinegar solution. According to Yahoo news, the vinegar smell deters cats from peeing in that same spot again and as it evaporates takes the cat urine odor with it.
In addition to your detergent, add a quarter cup of a white vinegar to your washer's bleach dispenser. Use the natural power of baking soda to help neutralize cat urine odor in soiled bedding and clothes. Add a half-cup directly to the drum with your clothes, or use a detergent that has baking soda in it.
White vinegar works wonders of the smell of cat pee. As an acid, it neutralizes the alkaline salts that are left behind in dried urine. Even if you've already cleaned it, these salts could still be causing smells. To use, mix one-part white vinegar with one part water and apply with a spray bottle.
Many veterinarians do not recommend the use of any tea tree oil product on small animals, including cats and dogs. Many experts believe the oil can lead to serious damage to a dog's respiratory system and liver. By ingesting tea tree oil, neurological disturbances can damage a dog's balance and coordination.
A common misconception about tea tree oil is that it is toxic for humans and animals. Tea tree oil is safe to use when it is diluted to a low concentration and can even provide several benefits.
In a spray bottle, mix 16 ounces (about 500 ml) of warm water with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil or two tablespoons of peppermint extract. Spray all of the areas that you think your cat may have urinated or marked. Within a few hours the scent will be gone.
The bottom line: Tea tree oil has been used as a "natural" remedy for a long time, especially for skin afflictions. There is some scientific evidence that tea tree oil can be effective for certain skin conditions. It is poisonous if swallowed and so should not be used in or around the mouth at all.
Tea Tree Oil and Skin Conditions
If you have eczema, avoid using tea tree oil. Though tea tree oil may be effective for scalp psoriasis, it has not been proved to treat that skin condition. you should not self-treat, as tea tree oil can worsen rosacea symptoms.
Because tea tree is an essential oil, it needs to be diluted (like we noted) with a carrier oil or water. Carrier oils should be used when applied topically, but use water when you make a spray.