Essential Oils

[dahowlers]

Why shouldn't essential oils be used on cats?
I use cedarwood oil and rose geranium oil for flea and tick prevention on the dogs, but why can't cats have it?

[marie73]

I would imagine it's because dogs don't groom themselves; cats do, and they would ingest it.

[dahowlers]

I apply to the collars, and wouldn't they groom off Revolution then too?

[marie73]

I don't anything about essential oils (I was guessing). And yes, they could lick it off collars.

The flea prevention is applied around their neck/shoulder blade area where it isn't easy for them to lick.

[dahowlers]

If I applied it like Revolution there wouldn't be a problem?
Although certain dogs are sensitive to the oils being applied directly to the skin, so I'm assuming it would be the same for cats as well.

[marie73]

I googles essential oils as flea prevention for cats and saw this:

Note about Cats: Certain oils can be very toxic to cats. Citrus products and pine oils in particular.

As I said, I don't know anything about this subject, so I'll bow out and hopefully you'll get some better advice from those with experience.

[dahowlers]

Cedar and pine are related, so I won't use that on the cats, and I don't need to use rose geranium on them because they don't go outside to get ticks. At least Freya won't once I move out this summer haha

[Marcia]

Originally Posted by dahowlers

I apply to the collars, and wouldn't they groom off Revolution then too?

I've always wondered that myself. I don't use flea prevention, but I've seen others (on Animal Cops SPCA) put the squeeze bottle Revolution stuff on the scruff of the neck then dot it on all the way down the back. On the neck I can understand, but they can lick on their backs very easily (well, except for my fat Jack).

[doodlebug]

Some essential oils can be toxic, they can be absorbed through the skin as well as ingested. Better safe and avoid them, than sorry.

[anie]

I also read that essential oils can be very dangerous for cats. Especially when applied directly to the skin, because cats' skin absorbs them to higher extent than skin of other species. I would personally not use essential oils in cats.

I sometimes use essential oil blend in my daughter's bedroom to relieve her congestion and always keep cats away from her room at those times, just in case.