Pet Aromatherapy and Cats

Aromatherapy is a lifestyle indulgence that pet parents enjoy of often want to share with their cats. However, you need to treat carefully!

Aromatherapy treatments involve the use of  essential oils and  undiluted essential oils are highly toxic to felines. Unlike humans and even dogs, cats lack the necessary enzymes in their liver to break down and excrete certain chemical compounds that exist naturally in essential oils.

Therefore, overdosing or over use causes these compounds to accumulate in the body and can result in live or kidney failure.

Symptoms of such toxicity include vomiting, drooling and uncoordinated movements. The toxic building is very slow and could take weeks, even months, sometimes years, to building up before coming a problem. Often it will take a blood panel done by a veterinarian to indicate any signs of poisoning.

When it comes to cats, aromatherapy is used to treat mild skin inflammations, sore muscles and stiff joints. It’s also used to de-stress from emotionally charged situations such as travel, moving house, nervousness to lightning and thunderstorms and even the arrival of a new baby in the household.

If you think your cat will benefit from aromatherapy treatments, you can purchase ready-made diluted essential oils called hydrosols.

Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to consult a professional pet aromatherapist before administering any at home treatments yourself.  Local health stores often have information about such specialists on their community notice boards. There are professional pet aromatherapists specialize in home visits too.

You can apply hydrosols to paw pads, the tips of the ears or the shoulder blades. If you are treating stiff joints, then the hydrosol should be applied directly to the area needing treatment and massaged in gently. Alternatively, place a warm towel over the area and allow the properties of the hydrosol to be absorbed into the blood stream.

Here are some of the most commonly used hydrosols for cats:

• Geranium has anti-depressant properties and anti-inflammatory properties to treat all kinds of skin conditions
• Lavender is a popular calmative used to de-stress and reduce levels of anxiety. It’s also good for burns and skin irritations.
• Cornflower is excellent for treating dry, flaky skin issues.
• Rose is good for sensitive skin conditions such as rashes, bites and scratches.
• Lemon Verbena has anti-inflammatory properties and used to treat teeth and gum infections.
• Neroli is more commonly known as orange blossom and used as a mild sedative and great for travel.
• Eucalyptus is great for respiratory ailments as well as for treating sore muscles.