Rules & Warnings — Cats
⚠ 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)
- 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.
Symptoms of Toxicity in Cats
Symptoms of toxicity in cats 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.