BEWARE!!
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CATS
- Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
- All Citrus oils (e.g. orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot as well as any blends containing these oils)
Also not recommended:
- Clove Bud
- Cypress
- Douglas Fir
- Encouraging Blend
- Hope Blend
- Oregano
- Peppermint
- Renewing Blend
- Roman Chamomile
- Rosemary
- Spearmint
- Thyme
- White Fir
- Wintergreen
- Uplifting Blend
- Vetiver
Cats lack a liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) that humans and dogs have. This enzyme is necessary to metabolize and eliminate some essential oil constituents. Therefore, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) and all Citrus oils are toxic to cats.
Cats are also sensitive to high levels of phenols (which are found in Clove Bud, Oregano Peppermint and Thyme) and ketones (found in White Fir, Wintergreen, Rosemary, and Vetiver). Oils with high levels of these constituents may overwhelm the ability of the cat’s liver to properly metabolize and effectively eliminate them, which can result in toxic overload.
Cypress and Roman Chamomile also can be problematic for cats.
Do not use Blends with these oils (except in the few instances recommended in the next section).
If you decide to use any of the above-mentioned oils, dilute heavily. I recommend only using these oils for short periods of time when other oils are not giving needed support.
Symptoms of toxicity in cats depends on the type of oil (chemical constituents) involved in the exposure, the amount of oil used, the duration of exposure. They can include drooling, vomiting, tremors, ataxia (wobbliness), respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, liver failure. If these symptoms do not stop or significantly diminish after an hour, go to your veterinarian immediately.