symptoms of essential oil poisoning in cats

This article is a complete guide for cat owners to understand how to ensure the safety of their pets because essential oils are becoming an invaluable commodity in our homes. Cleansing sprays, diffusers, creams, etc. This, of course, has no effect on the original price of the products or which product I find the best. If you definitely want to use essential oils, make sure you do it in a diluted version. Symptoms of Essential Oil Poisoning in Cats. Based on this, we would not recommend using essential oils in areas where your pets have access, unless pets are supervised or the use of the oil is approved by your veterinarian.". Ingesting and touching the oils are just as dangerous for pets. These substances can cause gastrointestinal upset in your cat. Always store essential oils in places where your cats cannot reach them. "Pedro sleeps with me again now and I couldn't be happier.". There are flea products that add essential oils as extra help. One such way is skin contact. After all, they like to rub against everything and so it is easy to get essential oil on their fur. … We can see signs of depression, ataxia (very uncoordinated gait), paralysis of the rear legs, vomiting, hypothermia (low body temperature), and dermal irritation. In my article, I will write about these dangers and what to do if something goes wrong. Then call your veterinarian immediately. No wonder, as they are very effective and they smell good. Symptoms of essential oil poisoning include: I don’t think it’s worth taking the risk because the consequences can be harsh. She learned the kitten had ringworm and would need to be seen by a veterinarian for treatment. "Effects such as gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression and even liver damage could occur if ingested in significant quantities. Lavender essential oils can easily be absorbed through your cat’s respiratory system, where it moves into the bloodstream. If an animal ingests tea tree oil, neurological signs can develop in addition to low body temperature and severe skin irritation. Since Jackson's vet wasn't available to treat Kylo for a few days, Jackson searched online for holistic ringworm treatments that she and her boyfriend, Alex, could try in the meantime. I will write about specific hazards and symptoms later. "The vet and I were at a loss. Toxicity can occur from the essential oil itself along with the hydrocarbons (see Hydrocarbons Poisoning ) or emulsifiers added to many of the preparations. Cats can easily find their way inside those devices. Below I have listed the possible signs and symptoms of poisoning: Drooling Vomiting (or sensitive stomach) Difficulty and wobble walking (ataxia) Tremors Respiratory distress (fast breathing, coughing, panting or wheezing) Lethargy or depression Collapse Seizures Klimas had been diffusing lavender and eucalyptus oils in her bathroom, where Dinah frequently slept on a fluffy bath mat the cat had taken a liking to. She may act very depressed. Days later, Walther noticed Pedro wasn't following her into her bedroom at bedtime, and had ceased sleeping with her at night. Essential oils are the concentrated liquids (volatile organic compounds) of plants. In fact, if a large quantity of Essential Oils are diffused throughout a room, it can also be toxic to humans! Nausea. However, veterinarians have included it in the list of toxic essential oils for both cats and dogs. "If you do, keep them out of reach and monitor your pets closely for signs of poisoning such as drooling, pawing at the face, difficulty breathing, lethargy, vomiting or muscle tremors." Pennyroyal, specifically the type derived from Mentha Pulegium, can cause liver failure in dogs. Redness around their eyes, mouth, or nose. I completely broke down into tears. But it’s important to see how dangerous these substances are to kittens. "You know your pets better than anyone," said San Filippo of the AVMA. Are there any safe essential oils for cats? As a Chewy affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. After that, they can drink from hazardous substances. The Arlington, Texas, woman adopted her cat, Kylo, in October. They have no or very low phenolic content. Essential oils used in undiluted form are the most harmful, as I have already written above. Anyway, I advise you to talk to your veterinarian before using a product that contains essential oil. How to Treat a Poisoned Cat. The best diapers for cats: the ultimate guide. Little did she know that this increasingly popular practice posed a problem. Essential oils have become popular for their use in aromatherapy and alternative medicine; they are also used in cleaning products, food and drink flavorings, herbal remedies, perfumes, personal care products, and liquid potpourris used as home air fresheners and fragrances. Symptoms of essential oil poisoning include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, drooling, vomiting, tremors, wobbliness and low heart rate, reported the Pet Poison Helpline. Essential oils can cause serious organ damage to cats which in extreme cases can cause liver failure, seizures and even death. Based on data from the Pet Poison Helpline, nearly 10% of their calls from pet owners were for possible cat poisonings. Now let’s look at a list of the most dangerous essential oils. Some products contain this type of oil available for cats, dogs, horses or ferrets. From … So if you definitely want to use essential oils in your home, I suggest you buy such a device. Pets that experience toxicity will generally have symptoms that include loss of energy and appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, and frequent infections. They are also used in care products. Otherwise, diffusers are not just dangerous by inhalation. Try to follow the tips above in all circumstances. And of course, place it in a large area, not in the smallest room. Essential Oils are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin. Of course, you can’t apply these to your cat in the concentrated form either. However, there is ample evidence that this is not true. The signs can be present for up to 4 days with aggressive care and treatment. She began to appear thin and lethargic and would refuse food," Klimas, who lives in Lewisville, a suburb of Dallas, told TODAY. This will make the job of your vet easier. Common essential oils include Lavender, tea tree, nutmeg, sage, peppermint, wintergreen (see Salicylates Poisoning), fennel, geranium, lemon myrtle, thuja, woodworm and clove. Cats are also very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds, which can be found in some essential oils," the Pet Poison Helpline explains. These oils can be diffused and inhaled or used on our skin during a massage. On the one hand, they are less effective and, on the other hand, they pose a potential danger to cats. During inhalation, fragrance molecules enter the brain and affect the amygdala. However, some animals, such as cats, can be extremely badly affected by essential oils. Watch TODAY All Day! This seems to be the clearest solution. Because many of the oils commonly purchased in stores can be toxic to cats, if a cat breathes in a harmful oil, it may cause respiratory irritation. Sue Klimas' cat, Dinah, became sick after exposure to essential oils. This can cause even more damage. It can be good to know exactly which essential oil your cat has come in contact with. Symptoms of Essential Oil Poisoning in Cats Symptoms can be brought on due to diffusing essential oils around cats or if they come in direct contact with the oils, and include: Watery nose &/or eyes Even a diluted massage oil can lead to a mildly upset stomach, so try to avoid letting your cat get into lavender plants or anything that has been made from lavender. For Erica Jackson, the wake-up call was sudden, and frightening. Lavender contains more than 100 compounds , which include camphor (< 1%), linalool (51%) and linalyl acetate (35%) which are toxic to cats . We call these extracts essential oils. But … Annie Walther's cat, Pedro, refused to enter her bedroom when essential oils were being diffused. Through blood tests, ultrasounds and an eventual exploratory surgery to check for cancer, Dinah's veterinarian was unable to determine the cause of her failing health. Below I have listed the possible signs and symptoms of poisoning: Of course, the latter are very severe symptoms that occur in extreme cases. Excessive use of Essential Oils can cause neurological symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. However, you would be surprised how many do not pay attention to this. The bottom line for all pet owners? These can be considered safe. “Not only are these oil droplets dangerous themselves, but the inhalation of these oils can cause a foreign body pneumonia in cats.” Symptoms of respiratory irritation include a … Put your diffusers in places where your cats cannot enter. As you can see, all of the points listed above can be related to the things we use. There are essential oils that can be said to be safe. I have described above how these toxic substances can get into the body of cats. Diffusers dilute essential oils, so they are not a major hazard when inhaled. "The entire tone of the conversation changed, and he told us tea tree oil was highly toxic to cats. The impact of tea tree oil poisoning in cats is more severe than in dogs since cats have more of an adverse reaction to essential oils in general. Experts advise keeping essential oils away from cats, and pet parents who choose to use the oils should keep a close eye on their pets in order to look for any symptoms of poisoning. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. A variety of ways you maybe already are incorporating essential oils into your daily life, include herbal remedies, aromatherap… ", Klimas got rid of her essential oil diffuser and saw her beloved cat return to normal. Generally speaking, cats have more sensitivity to many toxins, including essential oils, than dogs do, because they have fewer metabolizing enzymes in their liver. … 3 DIY tricks to make your home cat friendly. I don’t think you’re alone with that. Symptoms of toxicity vary depending on the dose of terpenes ingested. Vomiting. My goal is to help you make the best decisions. Some cats may exhibit symptoms like cat coughing, sneezing, trembling, poor coordination, seizures, fever, trouble breathing, coma, and in the worst of cases, death. Form are the most toxic form of wobbliness and general difficulty in walking any symptoms of essential oils were diffused... The skin sure you do it in the form of wheezing, fast breathing, panting or coughing some... Toxicity will generally have symptoms that include loss of energy and appetite, and. To normal talk to your cat even in small amounts some cats with liver disease are more sensitive to and... 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