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Lavender oil has been in use since the ancient period to treat various ailments in humans.
Now, it’s being used to treat animals too. In fact, it’s one of the popular oils for cats.
You may be wondering if lavender oil is safe for cats. There are many benefits to using lavender oil for cats.
However, there are also risks associated with its use.
But they aren’t as dangerous as you might think. They’re not even health risks.
This article will discuss the benefits and risks of using lavender oil on your cat and provide information on safely using lavender oil for cats at home.
Benefits Of Using Lavender Oil For Cats
1. Soothe Their Nausea & Vomiting
When your cat gets sick, he may throw up.
That’s why it’s important to make sure his diet is well-balanced and nutritious.
But sometimes, vomiting can get out of control.
If that happens, you might need to give him something to stop it.
One way is by giving him a few drops of lavender oil.
It’s proven to be safe and works wonders at stopping vomiting.
2. Relieve Anxiety
Have you ever noticed your cat being nervous all the time?
He’s constantly looking around, staring at things, and jumping up on people.
It could mean that he’s feeling stressed or anxious.
To help alleviate these feelings, add a couple of drops of lavender oil to his food or water.
You can also rub lavender oil on its paws can help calm it down.
Opening a bottle of lavender essential oil while seated close to your cat is a great way to see if they enjoy the fragrance.
Enough for your pet to smell the odor after it has dissipated (even though you might not be able to detect it).
If your cat likes the scent, you may see them rubbing their nose, closing their eyes, or even turning their heads in the direction of the bottle.
There’s a possibility that they’ll even decide it’s time for a nap because lavender has such a calming effect.
3. Keeps Him Calm When Frightened
Did you know that cats are super sensitive creatures?
They can sense fear in other animals and humans.
That’s why it’s so important to let them know that we’re here to protect them.
They’ll learn to trust us if we show them that we won’t hurt them.
To help them relax, rub a drop of lavender oil on their nose.
When we smell something pleasant like lavender, our brains release chemicals called endorphins.
These chemicals make us feel relaxed and happy. They help relieve pain and Anxiety.
This is why lavender oil works so well on pets. When they smell lavender, they get a dose of endorphins.
This makes them calmer and more contented.
4. Prevent Fleas & Mites
Flea infestations are common among cats.
They can spread diseases such as the feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.
While flea treatments are available, using essential oils to prevent fleas and ticks can be safer for your cat.
Lavender oil works well against both types of pests by killing their eggs.
5. Antiseptic
In addition to keeping fleas away, lavender essential oil helps protect your cat against infections.
When rubbed into the fur, it kills bacteria and fungus on the surface of your cat’s body.
It also reduces itching caused by rashes or other skin issues.
It helps calm down the itching associated with eczema.
6. Digestive Aid
Cats often experience digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation.
These conditions can cause your cat to lose weight quickly.
If your cat suffers from any of these issues, you can use lavender oil blends to help digestion.
Please take a few drops of lavender oil and rub them on the cats’ abdomen before feeding them food.
7. Toothpaste
You can combine lavender oil with baking soda to create a homemade toothpaste that will clean your cat’s teeth while providing fresh breath.
Just mix two parts lavender oil with one part baking soda until the mixture becomes thick enough to spread easily.
8. Promote Healthy Hair Growth
If your cat has long hair, you might notice that its coat starts looking dull and lifeless.
To make sure that your cat’s fur stays shiny and vibrant, you can apply essential oils directly onto the skin.
Mix 3 teaspoons of lavender oil with 4 cups of coconut milk and let rest overnight.
Next, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to remove the excess liquid.
Add a little more lavender oil if needed. Store the remaining mix safely in a glass jar.
This shampoo will leave your cat’s coat soft and shiny.
Lavender oil helps stimulate hair growth by increasing blood circulation.
What Are Some Ways To Use Lavender Oil Safely On Your Cat?
- You can apply the mixture to your pet’s fur as well as their skin.
The easiest way to apply the mixture to your cat’s fur is to spray it directly onto its coat. Make sure that you do not spray it directly onto their eyes because it may irritate them.
Another option is to rub the mixture directly onto their skin. However, be careful not to rub it too close to their eyes.
- Use A Good Quality Lavender Oil
You must use high-quality lavender oil when treating your pet. You should only purchase products that contain pure lavender oil. Avoid buying lavender oil that contains other ingredients such as alcohol.
- Lavender Oil Can Be Applied Topically
You can apply lavender oil topically. It means that you rub or spray it directly on your pet’s skin.
- Avoid Using Too Much Lavender Oil
You should never give your cat too much lavender oil at once. Doing so could be dangerous.
- Keep Lavender Away from Your Cat
Keep lavender oil away from your cat while you’re using it. You don’t want them to eat some of it accidentally.
- Make Sure That It’s Real
When buying lavender oil, make sure that it’s genuine. There are lots of fakes out there.
- Read Labels and Warnings
Make sure that any labels or warnings state what exactly is contained inside each bottle.
- Try Diluting It
If you’ve tried lavender oil, but your cat still seems unresponsive, dilute it with water. Add 1 part lavender oil to 10 parts water. If this works better, then do it again.
Risks Involved With Using Lavender Oil For Cats
Skin Irritation
Cats have sensitive skin. If you apply lavender oil directly onto your cat’s skin, you risk causing an allergic reaction.
Some cats become very irritated after being exposed to lavender.
Respiratory Issues
The concentration of lavender in lavender oil diffusers and sprays is typically low.
If your cat has asthma or other breathing issues, even a lavender oil diffuser could be problematic.
It’s still possible for them to get into your cat’s respiratory system.
If you expose your cat to lavender oil, you run the risk of irritating its respiratory system.
A respiratory problem can cause coughing, sneezing, and even wheezing.
Also, asthmatic cats don’t respond well to lavender oil.
They feel more stressed out when they inhale its fragrance.
Lavender Oil May Make Your Cat Sick
Like humans, cats can get sick from ingesting lavender oil.
Cats should not consume lavender in any form, including essential oils or the plant itself, because it is toxic to them.
If your cat swallows some of it, it could develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Also, if you apply lavender oil directly to your cat’s eyes, nose, mouth, or ears, they could suffer from discomfort.
If you rub it into your cat’s fur, it could experience burning sensations.
Lavender Oil Is Highly Fragrant
Because lavender oil is so fragrant, it’s easy for your cat to eat it accidentally.
They may also mistake it for food, and this can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
Conclusion
Using lavender oil on your cat isn’t dangerous if you follow all safety precautions.
You should avoid applying it directly to your cat’s eyes, nose, mouth, ears, or paws.
Also, don’t give your cat any food or treats containing lavender oil.
You should only use lavender oil with caution. Consult with your veterinarian before giving your cat.
Lucy is a real-time contributor to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, along with being a freelance writer to various pet forums and platforms. She started writing professionally in the year 2016. Earlier, she enjoyed her community life as a pet rescue volunteer and offered boarding services to pet owners. Her extensive experience in the pet field is now the basis for her writing at this site.
She loves to collect animal facts from around the globe and then transform them into amazing stories for her readers. For Lucy, the mission is to bring pet love to every home and equip the pet parents with the required useful and authentic information to nurture their pet accordingly.
She lives with her two cats and a shepherd mix, whom she loves the most. Despite her extremely busy life, she spends some time with wildlife and outer space to relax her mind and enhance her observation.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is a platform that believes in providing our pets with the right kind of nurturing, care and upbringing to assist them in leading a healthy life. Go to our blog section and read out some pawesome and informative articles to ease your parenthood.
