Unless you have been living under a rock for the last decade or so, you have no doubt heard of Essential oils and the multiple benefits that they can provide. If you have ever given aromatherapy with essential oils a try yourself, you will already know that it can help create a relaxing atmosphere that may calm you down.

If you love your feline companions as much as we do, you will want to find the best products for your cats, and essential oils are no exception. Let us have a discussion about whether essential oils are safe for your cats and, if they are, which ones are the best for them.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are processed by methods such as distillation and mechanical pressing to manufacture these highly concentrated plant extracts. Once these aromatic extracts are  The first use of aromatics in medicine dates back as early as 4500 BC in Ancient Egypt, while Chinese and Indian aromatic medicine from 3000 to 2000 BC was first historically recorded.

These aromatic oils were most commonly manufactured through steam distillation, which pushes hot steam through the plant material to break down and vaporize the desired compounds of the plant. This vapor gets cooled down in a separate chamber designed to cool the vapor down and turn it into a liquid form. This aromatic liquid is then combined with carrier oil to make it ready to use easily.

Essential oils have evolved to become liquids containing concentrated chemical compounds of plants that will evaporate readily at normal temperatures. These oils are believed to capture the essence of the flower, which includes the unique scent of the flower and any flavor it may have. 

How Do Essential Oils Work?

The most common way of using essential oils is through aromatherapy, which heats the essential oil and allows the fragrance to bloom as it is breathed in fully. It is believed that inhaling these aromas can directly start to affect and stimulate the limbic system in your brain. 

The limbic system is the part of the brain that allows you to process and control emotions, behaviors, long-term memory, and sense of smell. This direct connection between smells and long-term memory allows scents to significantly affect memory, including a study that found older patients showed a 226% improvement on memory tests when combined with aromatherapy. This shows that aromatherapy has the potential to be a powerful form of therapy when applied properly.

If you are looking for the best aromatherapy blend that is not only effective but safe enough for your feline companions, take a look at our Calming Herbal Essential Oil Blend.

Cats and Aromatherapy

So, you now might be wondering how effective aromatherapy can be for a cat after hearing about its general benefits, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure that you are using a product that is geared towards your feline friends instead of essential oils meant for human consumption. Cats do not absorb oils the same way that we do, and you could cause some issues when you are just trying to help your furry family member. 

This makes it vital that you use an essential oil for your cat that is specifically formulated for them since there are some essential oils that may cause your cat to experience significant difficulty absorbing and processing it through their body, which can even make your cat sick.

Related: The Truth About Your Cat’s Behavior

Safe Essential Oils for Your Cats

Here are a few safe essential oils that your cats will love. Make sure you do your research before you use an oil that is not listed here.

Bergamot

Bergamot has been treasured throughout history for its ability to help promote healing and the belief that it can help dispel anxiety. This can lead to your kitty suddenly developing a burst of energy and cheerfulness as they feel more relaxed.

Lavender 

Lavender is a flowering plant from the mint family that has an easily identifiable floral, yet herbal scent that many use to calm their nerves. Using a little bit of lavender can help calm that nervous energy that can slowly cause exhaustion and also can reduce the restlessness that your cat can feel in stressful situations. Use lavender when you need your cat calm so that they can get some sleep.

Geranium

Geranium essential oil has been used in folk medicine for a wide variety of ailments. It was believed to have potent anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, antiseptic, and even stress-relieving properties. Geranium is believed to have a strong calming and anxiety-reducing effect on cats, so, combined with the other essential ingredients mentioned, it can have a potent effect on calming your cat down and keeping them comfortable.

Final Thoughts

We know you love your cats just as much as we do, and you will want to keep your pets as comfortable as possible, especially during moments of stress. The next time you have a stressful event with your feline fur child coming up, try some of these safe essential oils to make their time as smooth as possible for your cat and yourself.

If you need a quick way to calm your animals down, whether It’s a cat, dog, or even a horse, keep our Calming Pet Spray on hand to take their discomfort down.

~Veterinarian Recommended