Fragrance Diffusers: Are They Safe To Use With Cats?

Essential oils are often touted as a natural way to fragrance your home, but they can be toxic to cats. Cats lack certain liver enzymes that are important for metabolising many essential oil constituents, and their sensitive skin and noses make them particularly vulnerable to the dangers of essential oils. The use of fragrance diffusers can be harmful to cats, as the oils are widely distributed within a room and can be ingested or inhaled. Inhalation of essential oils can cause foreign body pneumonia in cats, while ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and central nervous system depression. To keep your cat safe, it's important to avoid direct application of essential oils, ensure good ventilation, and provide your cat with access to a safe space away from the oils.

Ingesting essential oils can be harmful to cats

Cats are particularly sensitive to essential oils as they have a decreased number of certain liver enzymes necessary to metabolize these oils effectively. This means that even a couple of licks or a small amount of essential oil on the skin could be harmful to a cat.

Cats can be exposed to essential oils by tasting them directly or by coming into contact with leaking or overturned containers. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, so if essential oils get on their skin, they will often ingest them while grooming.

Signs of essential oil poisoning in cats include a fragrance or scent on the hair coat, skin, or breath, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking, lethargy or weakness, pawing at the mouth or face, redness or burns on the lips, gums, tongue, or skin, and vomiting (you may note the smell of essential oils in the vomit).

If you suspect that your cat has ingested or come into contact with essential oils, it is important to seek veterinary help immediately. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are imperative to ensure the best prognosis and outcome for your cat.

Essential oils can cause respiratory irritation in cats

Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from plants. They are often used in aromatherapy, massage, skincare, candles, diffusers, and other products. While these oils may be beneficial to humans, they can be toxic to cats. This is because cats lack certain enzymes in their livers, making it difficult for them to metabolise and eliminate toxins like essential oils.

Respiratory Irritation in Cats

Cats suffering from respiratory irritation need to be moved to fresh air immediately. If symptoms do not quickly resolve, emergency veterinary treatment is required.

Types of Diffusers

The use of essential oils for aromatherapy has traditionally been restricted to passive diffusers, such as candles, liquid potpourri, room sprays, and reed diffusers. However, active diffusers, which emit microdroplets of oil into the air, have recently entered the market. These include nebulizing and ultrasonic diffusers.

Reed diffusers are considered the safest option for use around cats as they do not release microdroplets that can settle on a cat's fur and be ingested during grooming.

Precautions

To protect cats from potential harm, it is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to essential oils and to ensure good ventilation. Cats should have the option to leave the room if they wish. It is also important to avoid topical application or ingestion of essential oils by cats, as this can lead to serious health issues.

When in doubt, it is best to consult a veterinarian before introducing essential oils or diffusers into a cat's environment.

Cats may be at higher risk of toxicity from essential oils

The higher the oil concentration, the more harmful it is to a cat. Essential oils are often placed in a diffuser to be aerosolised throughout a room or home. This causes the oils to land on the skin or be inhaled. When a cat breathes in these concentrated fumes, it can irritate the lining of their respiratory tract, including the lungs, in addition to building up in the liver and causing toxicity.

Oils in the air pose the greatest threat to cats that have asthma or heart disease. Exposure to toxic fumes can heighten these conditions, causing your cat to cough excessively or even have trouble breathing. If your cat is taking more than 40 breaths per minute, breathing with their mouth open, or has purple gums, they should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as it could be a life-threatening emergency.

Essential oils that are known to cause serious poisoning in cats include tea tree oil, citrus oil, and nutmeg. Symptoms of potential toxicity include drooling, vomiting, tremors, difficulty breathing, panting, low body temperature, and sudden collapse.

If you suspect that your cat has been exposed to essential oils and is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to move them to fresh air immediately and seek emergency veterinary care if they do not quickly recover.

Cats can inhale essential oil droplets

The danger to cats lies primarily in ingestion or topical application of large amounts of undiluted essential oils. However, inhalation of essential oil droplets can also cause respiratory irritation and foreign body pneumonia in cats. Symptoms of respiratory irritation include a watery nose and eyes, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Diffusers that emit micro-droplets or particles of oil, such as nebulizing and ultrasonic diffusers, pose a greater risk to cats as these droplets can settle on their fur and be ingested during grooming.

To minimize the risk to cats, it is recommended to avoid using essential oils around them or in areas they frequent. If essential oils are used, it is important to ensure good ventilation and allow cats the option to leave the room. Reed diffusers are considered a safer option as they do not release micro-droplets into the air. Additionally, it is crucial to follow general safety precautions, such as storing essential oils out of a cat's reach and diluting the oils before use.

In summary, while essential oils can have benefits for humans, they can be harmful to cats through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. To protect cats from potential health risks, it is important to use essential oils with caution and follow guidelines for safe use around pets.

Reed diffusers are safer than ultrasonic diffusers

Reed diffusers and ultrasonic diffusers are two popular methods of diffusing essential oils. While both methods are effective, they have distinct pros and cons and differ in their safety for cats.

Reed diffusers are a more low-maintenance option, not requiring electricity, heat, fans, or machines. They provide a constant, hassle-free stream of scent and can last for several months. However, reed diffusers lack the ability to turn them on or off, adjust the intensity, or control the level of fragrance.

Ultrasonic diffusers, on the other hand, offer more control over the diffusion process. They can be turned on and off and users can adjust the intensity and duration of the fragrance. However, they require regular cleaning as the oils can be corrosive to their plastic parts.

When it comes to safety for cats, reed diffusers are considered a safer option. Ultrasonic diffusers release micro-droplets into the air, which can settle on a cat's fur and be ingested when the cat grooms itself. This increases the risk of toxicity, as cats lack certain liver enzymes needed to metabolize many essential oil constituents.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Hoolahan reported that the Animal Poisons Helpline received several calls about small dogs and cats becoming lethargic and unsteady after being in enclosed spaces with ultrasonic diffusers for extended periods. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to vapors created by ultrasonic diffusers and to ensure good ventilation when using essential oils around cats.

In summary, while both reed diffusers and ultrasonic diffusers have their advantages, reed diffusers are a safer option for cat owners due to the reduced risk of toxicity and the lack of micro-droplets released into the air.

Frequently asked questions