There are several websites that make statements along the lines of “There is a lot of information out there on essential oil toxicity in cats.” Unfortunately, these websites do not cite their sources (which is a reliable indicator of an unsubstantiated claim). The fact is there is hardly any information out there on essential oil toxicity in cats. Do not trust any website that makes claims without citing its sources.
An extensive publication search brings up just three reports on essential toxicity to cats; two involved the use of tea tree (1,2), the third with potpourri (3).
There are no reports on the toxicity of other essential oils with cats and not even a mention in two popular veterinary toxicology (4,5). There are plenty of mentions of toxic household plants but none of these feature in the applied zoopharmacognocist’s kit.
The concern with cats over other species is more theoretical than actual. The issue is that cats have very low glucuronyl transferase activity, an enzyme involved with breaking down some foreign chemicals including alcohols and, more importantly, phenols (3). There are only a small number of essential oils that contain significant levels of phenols, the most commonly used being clove, cinnamon, wintergreen, yellow birch and the phenol rich chemotypes of thyme. In our experience and the experience of our students, it is incredibly rare for a cat to select any of these oils, and in the odd case where there has been a selection it has almost exclusively been through inhalation.
Almost invariably cats will select essential oils through inhalation and will almost never select them orally (the form of administration cited in the above papers are either topical or unknown). Some websites claim that allowing cats to inhale is also risky; again there is no evidence to suggest there is a risk, especially if the oil is offered in well ventilated areas and the cat is free to remove itself from the odour.
References
1 Bischoff (1998). Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil poisoning in three purebred cats. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
2 Villard D, Knight MJ, Hansen SR et al (1994). Toxicity of Melaleuca oil and related essential oils applied topically on dogs and cats. Veterinary & Human Toxicology 36: 139-142.
3Schildt Julie C.; Jutkowitz L. Ari; Beal Matthew W (2008). Potpourri Oil Toxicity in Cats (2000-2007)
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 18: 515-516
4 Peterson ME & Talcott P (2007). Small Animal Toxicology. Elselvier Inc.
5 Campbell A, Chapman M (2000). The Handbook of Poisoning in Dogs and Cats. Gray Publishing.
Video: Animal Selection
Article from 'Your Cat' Magazine, February 2006
A solution was needed for a tiger who at times, was risking her own safety and that of her keepers. But who would have thought that her life would have been turned around by scent? The success achieved by aromatherapy pioneer Caroline Ingraham in introducing a sense of calm to a fearful tiger could offer hope for other big cats in captivity, not to mention domestic cats with issues!
Ronja is a three-and-a-half-year-old Siberian Tiger who was imported from Germany to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) in Kent two years ago.
From her arrival she showed extreme rage towards men. Her attacks were so fierce that she would hurt herself and damage the fence she was hurling herself at.
Caroline first step was to put undiluted drops of five chosen essential oils and one fixed oil on six-inch strips of plywood. Here's what she used and Ronja's reaction:
- Linden blossom: physical injury/dislike of men; no response.
- Rose otto: past trauma; slight interest.
- Ylang Ylang: lack of self-worth/confidence: no interest.
- Vetiver: offers stability; no interest.
- Frankincense: fear; selected this aroma often. Caroline notes: "She would walk a few steps away then return for more. She did this many times over a period of an hour."
- Hemp fixed oil: Calming to the central nervous system. She approached and licked it.
Caroline explains: "When Ronja selects her remedy she will walk to the chosen plank of wood, circle it to lift the aroma and as she almost completes her circle she will grimace to draw in the aroma."
There was a stunning immediate result.
"She walked into her house to retrieve her food while two men were stood by, something she had never done before." Five days later, the positive changes were apparent. Caroline recalls: 'As I stood by Ronja's enclosure she walked close to Mark, her keeper and director of WHF; he had never been so close to her before without being the subject of attack."
Caroline has since tried other oils, chosen to match Ronja's temperament and her habitat and allowed the tiger to select her favourites.
- Frankincense: fear; interested.
- Valerian: deep sedative; interested.
- Angelica root: opens the animal up to healing; interested.
- Sandalwood: Fear and supports the kidneys, a weak area for both big and domestic cats: a very strong interest.
- Peppermint: stimulant; interested.
Caroline takes up the story: "Ronja walked straight to the Sandalwood. This oil prompted the strongest interest of all the oils to date.
She returned to it many times over a period of two hours, displaying the flehmen response each time she inhaled its aroma. She paraded up and down the side of the enclosure where the oils were placed, each time returning to the sandalwood, circling it and taking up the aroma. After about half an hour into the sandalwood selection she walked over to the peppermint, put her head down and inhaled it, going back to it several times before selecting Angelica root, which she returned to a number of times, while still intermittently selecting her sandalwood, which she was very attracted to. Eventually Ronja returned to her comfort patch."
Soon after Caroline had finished, a group of photographers arrived, part of a regular arrangement. Ronja's usual reaction was to go for the attack or more usually hide in her house. As she did the latter, Mark decided to see if the essential oil inhalation would have positive results allowing her to be shut in. To Mark's amazement she did!
The house is designed so that the keepers can walk in and be protected by wire fencing.
At the first sign of the door opening in the past, Ronja would throw her entire body weight at the fencing by the keeper's door. It would normally be too distressing and dangerous for both the keeper and Ronja. "Mark went to the door, opening it slowly. Instead of throwing herself at the fence, Ronja lay in her bed, growling. As he took steps in, the growls turned to loud roars, however she still remained in her bed." The next experiment was for Mark to wear Ronia's favourite oils so that she would see him in a more positive light. "Rose had previously been selected but was not one of her favourites at the time, however from past experience I have observed that rose helps most animals cope with stress," Caroline explains. So, Rose was applied to Mark's chest, sandalwood to an arm, Angelica root and Frankincense on the other arm. This time the effect was quite startling.
Ronja allowed him to walk in, giving only the odd growl. He was able to sit down cross-legged in front of her (a wire fence "she became known within the zoo and exotic animal community as one of the most aggressive tigers they had ever known:"separating them) while she closed an eye. He stayed there for a good ten minutes. That was the closest she had been to anyone in the time they had known her, something they had only experienced when she was anesthetized." Mark says: "I went into the, corridor expecting her to rant and rave like she used to, but.' she didn't. She curled up and put her head between her paws. I was just amazed!"
Since Caroline began to visit' Ronja has not attempted to attack men as violently as she did in the past and she is no longer considered a danger. Since October, Ronja has even allowed herself to be shut in the house without a fuss.
"We haven't quite cracked the problem, but we are really pleased with her progress," says Mark.
"Zoo professionals who saw her a year ago say they have noticed a remarkable difference in her. We don't experience the rages that we used to get with her.
"Sandalwood is still her favourite. She will even take strips of wood with the oils on to the area of her enclosure where she eats." As far as Mark knows, she is the only big cat to experience the benefits of essential oils. He hopes that the success they are having will help others like her.
