Lately, I have received several inquiries regarding online posts and memes cautioning others to never use essential oils on your cats, dogs, and other animals. Sadly, there is a ton of misinformation out there along with fear-based myths regarding essential oils and animals. In a nutshell, the problem stems from using cheap, toxic oils that are chemically extracted or have synthetic oil created in the lab as an additive to stretch the oil (and profits for the companies who create these crappy oils). This would most likely never happen if pet parents and animal guardians were using 100% therapeutic-grade essential oils and had educated themselves on the proper usage of essential oils for their animals.
Putting out these kinds of graphics and misinformation without elaborating on their reasoning is irresponsible at best. Can essential oils harm animals? Well, the short answer is yes and no. Please allow me to explain:
Generally speaking, it's not the core components of essential oils that are harmful to animals (especially cats who are at higher risk due to their inability to metabolize certain chemical compounds) . . . . it's the additional components that are found in POOR QUALITY oils (such as those bought at the health food store or Whole Foods or at certain online retailers). However, that being said, not all oils are created equal.
CHEAP, TOXIC, CHEMICAL-LADEN OILS are NOT therapeutic-grade! If they are used on and around cats (and other animals), they can indeed harm them or kill them. These oils can also harm people so JUST DON'T USE THEM! Anything you bring into your home that contains toxic chemicals (i.e. air fresheners, household cleaners, Febreze, carpet fresheners, toxic sooty candles, etc.) is harmful to your pets and to yourself.
Most essential oils are extracted using solvents or chemicals and / or are stretched by adding synthetic oil created in a lab. 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils (such as Young Living) are extracted using steam distillation, absolute extraction, or cold pressing (for citrus oils). Young Living will never knowingly compromise by adding synthetics, contaminants, or cheap fillers, or by using unethical production practices. Young Living guides the process of sourcing products from carefully vetted corporate-owned farms, partner farms, and Seed to Seal-certified suppliers and testing them extensively. If our exhaustive tests show that a product doesn’t meet our standards, we don’t buy it, or we reject the batch.
Keep in mind that pure essential oils come from nature. We extract them from plants, flowers, trees (sap and bark), roots, etc. Animals eat plants, flowers, tree bark, roots, etc. to heal and nourish themselves. Nature gives us perfect remedies. Humans mess them up (most of the time). Essential oils are the original medicine and have been used for thousands of years in their purest form (not chemically altered by humans to make a profit).
I have safely used Young Living essential oils on and around my cats (and other animals) for many years. However, you always want to err on the side of caution when using oils with ALL animals and should understand how to properly use high-quality essential oils. NEVER use cheap chemical-laden essential oils for ANY reason . . . . on yourself OR around your animals. As a certified holistic consultant and Reiki practitioner for animals (and people), I ONLY use Young Living essential oils. I have never, ever had an issue with any of my animals or any of my animal clients . . . . EVER!
Young Living essential oils and oil-infused supplements have been put to the test by a plethora of highly trained and well-respected holistic veterinarians. These vets use YL in their daily practice with amazing results on a wide variety of animals . . . . everything from fish and birds to pocket pets, cats, and dogs to exotics and large animals. The compilation of information regarding these proven results is backed by years of research, science, and good old-fashioned common sense.
My experience with Young Living essential oils is that I am very careful with topical and oral administration. I am certified in essential oils for animals and always consult my reference guides prior to administering essential oils to my animals (including cats), as well as my animal clients. As for diffusing, the kitties will leave the room if they don't care for a particular oil in the diffuser but mostly the love being around when I am diffusing. Honestly, they rarely leave the room. They will also lick my hand if I have certain oils on my skin. I use essential oils daily and have never had any issues regarding my animals.
A few common sense guidelines . . . .
* When diffusing make sure your cat (or other pet) is able to leave the room if it's too much for them.
* Not all oils are unsafe for cats, however, watch for any odd behavior or lethargy. You can also err on the side of caution by avoiding the "hot" oils such as Oregano, Cinnamon, Thyme, Peppermint, Tea Tree (Melaleuca), et al.
* 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are safer for your cat to be around than artificial fragrances such as air fresheners, toxic cleaners, chemical-laden candles, etc.
If you want to rid your home of harmful toxins, chemicals, odors, etc., diffusing is a great way to clean the air but you need to educate yourselves first. I offer free consultations and online classes (as well as in-person classes) for anyone who wants to learn about proper usage of essential oils for animals (or themselves). You can find me on FB at Healing Oils for Animals or Holistic Pets & Peeps.
Here is a blog article regarding this very subject if you care to have a quick read and learn more:
http://bit.ly/AnimalsAndEssentialOils101
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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)
For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.
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