Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Is Lavender Safe For Cats To Smell? While lavender ingestion is the main cause of toxicity in cats, it's best to keep your cat away from lavender plants and any lavender products, including essential oils. Of course, many lavender products are of varying levels of toxicity.
Some scented candles are made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum and can release toxic compounds into the air when burnt. The fumes released can be harmful to you as well as your pets, although the level of risk is low if you're only lighting candles occasionally in a well-ventilated room.
Pet owners should keep cats away from camphor, camellia, sandalwood and other materials that have particularly strong fragrances, as these could cause allergic reactions, he said. Typical reactions include sneezing, swelling of the eyes and trouble breathing caused by inflammation of the respiratory tract, he said.
Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant. To keep your cats safe, use eucalyptus essential oil in a sealed container instead of fresh or dried plants.
Peppermint oil is highly toxic to cats.
They are typically strong-smelling and make up the active ingredient in many essential oils, such as peppermint oil. Without the enzymes required to break down phenols, cats exposed to peppermint oil can experience: Liver damage. Breathing difficulties.
In addition to respiratory and digestive issues, cats are susceptible to organ damage from exposure to the oils included in perfumes. The feline liver has a tough time breaking down the toxins known as phenols. This can result in deadly buildup if poisoned cats are not given immediate medical attention.
Burning incense produces smoke, which is not healthy for your cat's respiratory system. The smoke can act as an irritant, which may cause your cat to cough or have an allergic reaction. Increased smoke in the home puts your cat at risk for developing asthma.
Is it safe for dogs and cats to eat garlic? Garlic is an acceptable ingredient for human food. But while the smell of garlic makes most of us hungry, it can be harmful to our dogs and cats.
It's best to avoid diffusing essential oils around dogs and cats. In addition to inhalation exposure to potentially toxic essential oils, microdroplets of oils could collect on your pet's fur. This exposure could lead to dermal absorption or eventual ingestion once your pet grooms or licks itself.
Even a lavender oil diffuser could cause trouble, particularly if your cat has asthma or other breathing problems. “Cats with respiratory issues can possibly have their symptoms worsened by inhaling lavender (or other essential oils) that are diffused into their environment,” Dr. Conrad said.
Peppermint oil, listed in some products as menthol, is toxic to cats when ingested or inhaled. Of note, some formulations (like wintergreen oil) may contain aspirin derivatives, making them even more dangerous for cats. Birds are also indicated for this toxicity.
To put it simply, no, air fresheners are not safe to use around cats, as they can lead to very serious health consequences.
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.
Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats.
Roses aren't toxic to cats, and this includes rose petals, stems and leaves. But they still don't make a good snack for your cat. “Roses by themselves are not thought to be toxic or dangerous for cats,” Dr. Hawthorne told The Dodo.
Generally cats do not like strong perfumed smells, such as incense or air fresheners or disinfectants. In fact these things can be very bad for them. Inhaling the smoke and oils in incense can be toxic for cats if used in enclosed spaces or excessively and cause health problems.
If you have to go away for the entire week, you must find someone to at least check in on your feline. A friend, a family member, or a pet sitter are all viable options. If no one is available, consider a boarding facility.
Can I spray perfume in the same room as my cat? Perfumes and colognes are less harmful to cats than home air fresheners, but should never be sprayed in their direction, nor should a pet owner apply them in heavy doses when planning to interact with cats, he said.
Yes, their heightened senses can allow them to pick up hints that a storm is coming. Cat's inner ears may detect the sudden fall in atmospheric pressure. A cat is also more sensitive to sounds and smells.
Eucalyptus and Lemon may be the very essence of freshness to humans, but to animals, especially cats, it's off-putting.
While you may find peppermint refreshing, evoking memories of Christmas, your cat does not share your fond affection for the oil. She'll be overwhelmed by it. Just smelling the aroma can cause your kitty to develop difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and aspiration pneumonia.
If you've ever asked yourself, can cats eat lemons? The answer is a firm no. Lemons and other citrus fruits can harm your feline friend because they contain toxic compounds that are poisonous to most domestic pets.