By Iolee Anagnostopoulou
Essential oils have long been revered for their natural appeal in personal care and home fragrance. Reed diffusers, in particular, are a popular means to infuse our living spaces with delightful scents. However, while they themselves may not directly threaten our feline companions, the essential oils they disperse can be a cause for concern. The fact that these oils are derived from plants doesn’t automatically render them safe for your beloved cat.
Surprisingly, there remains a glaring lack of awareness among cat parents regarding the potential risks that essential oil diffusers can pose to our four-legged friends. As someone who’s had the privilege of cat sitting in many households, I’ve encountered homes saturated with fragrant oils, sometimes even triggering my asthma. It’s crucial to recognise that while masking pet odours with aromatic scents might be tempting, our cats may be silently suffering as a result.
Here’s all you need to know about reed diffusers and their potential impact on your furbaby.
How Reed Diffusers Work
A reed diffuser serves as an air freshener, gently dispersing essential oils into the air. It consists of a glass container, slender reeds, essential oil, water, and occasionally a touch of alcohol to prevent the reeds from rotting.
The idea is to fill the glass vessel with essential oil and water and strategically place the reeds inside with one end sticking out. The reeds efficiently soak up the oil, gradually diffusing the scent into the air, offering weeks of continuous fragrance.
While this is an excellent way to refresh the ambience of a room, it comes with potential risks when living with cats.
The Bad News:
- Respiratory Risks
When essential oils are diffused, they disperse widely within a room, potentially exposing your cat to toxic compounds. Inhaling these oils can result in respiratory irritation, leading to symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing—often mistaken for hairball gagging—and even aspiration pneumonia.
Cats with pre-existing respiratory issues or allergies are particularly vulnerable and should be kept away from any form of essential oil exposure.
2. Ingestion Hazards
Reed diffusers carry the risk of tipping over, meaning your cat could potentially ingest spilt oils. This would lead to several health concerns. Because cats lack specific liver enzymes that assist in metabolising many essential oil constituents, they’re more susceptible to toxicity than dogs and humans. For instance, studies have found that menthol is significantly more toxic to cats than rats.
Ingesting essential oils can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, central nervous system depression, decreased heart and breathing rates, and even seizures in severe cases. Certain types of diffusers, especially those that aerosolized the oil, release micro-droplets into the air, which may settle on your cat’s fur. When your cat grooms itself, it may inadvertently ingest these toxic oils, leading to the aforementioned reactions.
The Good News:
- Cautionary Use
With proper ventilation and options to exit the room, essential oils can be used around cats in small, limited quantities and for brief periods. While small traces of aromatic vapour in the air are generally safe, you must avoid subjecting your cat to prolonged exposure or vapour buildup, often associated with ultrasonic diffusers.
2. Safer Option
Provided you opt for safe essential oils, there’s no reason to abstain from using reed diffusers in your home. However, placing the diffuser out of your cat’s reach is wise, minimising any potential physical contact. Safe essential oils should not trigger adverse reactions in your cat when utilised correctly. That said, it’s best to consult your vet beforehand and remain vigilant for any reactions.
Common Oils To Avoid
Consulting your veterinarian is paramount before introducing new products to your pet’s environment, as there’s a huge list of commonly used essential oils that are toxic to cats, including:
Bergamot, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Mint, Orange, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea tree, and Ylang ylang.
Essential Oils That Are Safe For Cats
Safe essential oils for cats include Copaiba, Frankincense, Helichrysum, and Valerian. When filling up your reed diffuser, ensure the oils are adequately diluted with water before placing the reeds for scent distribution.
Reed diffusers provide a natural approach to home fragrance, but what works for us might not always be in the best interest of our pets. A cautious and informed approach is key if you decide to use essential oils around your cats. If you‘ve consulted with your veterinarian and follow the above guidelines, reed diffusers with small quantities of most essential oils shouldn’t threaten your cat. However, cats are masters at hiding their discomfort, so you might want to prioritise your furbaby’s well-being and skip the risk altogether.
If you ask me, open the windows instead as nothing beats some fresh air on a purrry morning!