Are essential oils safe for cats? The short answer is yes and no. Different types of oil are safe, dosage and exposure being key elements. It is important to be careful with using oils around your feline friends just as you would any chemical compound. The reason essential oils can be harmful to cats lies in their livers. Felines lack an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase (usually found in the liver) which protects animals from toxins, like those caused by harmful scents. This means that they cannot metabolize some oils and it is not expelled from their body, building up toxicity that can make them ill. Avoid oils rich in phenols, ketones, alpha-pinene and d-limonene. Some examples are cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, grapefruit, and lemon. This does not mean you cannot use these oils in your home, but use caution. It is the concentration of these oils that cause the most problems. Do not use where your cat will be walking on them, eating them or diffusing in too confined a space. The best oils for cats are lavender, frankincense, helichrysum, cedarwood and geranium. But that is pretty limited to use for yourself. Number one rule is use caution, dilute any oils and keep a close eye for signs of illness. Be safe with your feline friends! More detailed info found here: https://essentialoildiffuser.io/essential-oils-for-cats/ #spitzen #spitzencleaning @rachpenner #essentialoils #cleaningwithessentialoils #petfriendly #catsafeessentialoils #felinefriends #essentialoils101 #essentialoileducation
