Hello, fellow cat lovers! We all have lots of questions about our cute kitties. “Can my cat eat this? Is it okay if she stays in one room all day? Is Patchouli safe for cats? Why doesn’t my cat like water?” Today, we’re going to answer one of these questions, and it’s about something called essential oils.
Lots of people like to use these oils to make their homes smell nice. But did you know some of these oils can be harmful to our little kittens? To keep our cats safe and healthy, we need to learn which oils are okay and which ones are not. One of the most common questions we get is, “Is Patchouli safe for cats?”
You’re in the right place to learn about this! So let’s find out how to take care of our cats in the best way possible. By the end of this article, you’ll know the answer to “Is Patchouli safe for cats?” and much more about keeping your cat safe.
Essential Oil
Imagine you’re in a garden full of different plants. Each plant has its special smell. Now, what if we could capture that smell and put it in a bottle? That’s what essential oils do!
Essential oils are like little bottles of magic. They come from plants and carry the plant’s unique smell. We get them by squeezing the plant or heating it. Once we have the smell, we mix it with another oil to make it safe and ready to use.
People use these oils for many things. They can help with aches and pains, breathing problems, and even skin troubles. Some people believe they can help you sleep better and feel happier.
What is Patchouli Oil?
Essential patchouli oil is a special kind of oil that we get from the leaves and stems of the patchouli plant. This plant is a type of herb that smells good. People pick the leaves and stems, dry them, and then make oil from them.
Scientists have just started to study the different ways we can use patchouli oil and what good things it can do. So, we still have a lot to learn about it.
Patchouli oil has a very strong smell, which is why it got its name from the Hindi word “pacholi,” meaning “to scent.” Just think about how strong that smell must be!
You might know some other plants that smell good like mint, lavender, and sage. Guess what? They are all part of the same family as patchouli! As patchouli oil gets older, it changes color to dark amber, and its smell becomes even better and richer.
Is Patchouli safe for Cats?
Is Patchouli safe for cats? Well, Patchouli is not on the list of things that are bad for cats, but it’s also not on the list of things that are good for them. So, it’s best to keep your cat away from it. Patchouli is a type of essential oil, and there’s a big chance it could harm your cat.
Essential oils can get into our bodies in two ways – by eating them or through our skin. Then, our liver helps to break them down. But cats don’t have the special helper to break down these oils and get rid of the bad stuff.
Patchouli is one of the most powerful oils in the world. It can even harm people because if we put it directly on our skin, it might cause burns or make us itch. We can mix it with weaker oils like avocado and jojoba to make it less strong.
Now, imagine what this strong oil can do to our kittens if they breathe it in or if it gets on their skin. Their bodies definitely can’t handle such strong stuff.
It’s also important to know that Patchouli has some ingredients that are also found in household cleaners. Our cats can’t get rid of phenols and phenolic compounds, which are types of these ingredients, from their blood.
And if they eat it or if their skin touches it, that ingredient can quickly reach levels in their body that can cause a lot of hard-to-deal-with symptoms. If we don’t treat these symptoms, they can lead to more serious problems and even death.
What are the symptoms of Patchouli poisoning in cats?
If you have a cat and you use essential oils, you need to know the signs of essential oil poisoning in cats. If you’re using oils that are safe for your cat, it should be okay. But sometimes, they can still harm your cat.
That’s why it’s best to learn these common signs of poisoning:
- Trouble walking (cats that are poisoned might seem shaky and trip easily)
- Throwing up
- Loose stools
- Not wanting to eat
- Drooling
- Signs of shock (usually a slower heart rate, trouble breathing, and a lower body temperature)
- Shaking
- Signs that are common for liver failure (yellow skin and eyes)
- Small fits
- Not being able to move.
As you can see, essential oils can be very dangerous for your cats. That’s why you should be very careful if you decide to use them. And as we’ve already figured out, Patchouli is not safe for cats.
If you think that your cat has come into contact with your essential oil, you shouldn’t wait to see these signs. Instead, you should take her to the vet right away to prevent any bad things from happening.
What should you do if your cat licked Patchouli oil?
If you’re wondering, “Can cats like Patchouli oil?” the answer is no. If you think your cat has touched or licked Patchouli oil, take her to the vet quickly. It’s essential to find out what’s wrong and start treatment right away.
You can call your local vet, tell them what happened, and they will let you come in right away. The sooner your cat gets treatment, the better she will feel.
Some people might think making their pet throw up will help, but it doesn’t. It can make things worse. So remember, don’t do this if you think your pet has been poisoned by essential oil.
Before you go to the vet, take the product that made your cat sick. This will help the vet find the best treatment. Patchouli oil is not safe for cats, so we need to do everything we can to help them get better faster.
Young cats and kittens, as well as cats with liver disease, are more at risk from essential oil poisoning. Also, Patchouli oil can hurt us too, as it can irritate or burn the skin and mouth. So, “Can cats like Patchouli oil?” Not, it’s harmful to them.
How to protect your cat?
We know that some smells like Patchouli and other oils can make our cats sick. So, we need to learn how to protect them.
First, keep your oils far from your kittens. Kittens love to explore and sniff everything. But if they sniff these oils, they might get sick.
The best place to keep these oils is in a high cabinet that your kittens can’t reach. Put the oils in a plastic bag to keep the smell inside. Remember, our cats can smell things we can’t, so we must hide it well.
If you want to use the oils in a room, make sure your cats are not in there. Close the doors until the smell is gone. To make the smell go away faster, you can open a window or turn on a fan or air conditioner.
Also, remember not to use the oils for more than two weeks at a time. It’s not good for you or your pet. After two weeks, take a break for at least one week.
Which essential oils are safe for cats?
If you’re a cat owner and you like essential oils, here’s some good news. Some oils are safer for cats than Patchouli oil.
But, it’s best to get these oils in their purest form. This way, you can be sure there are no other ingredients that could harm your cat.
Here are some safer options instead of Patchouli oil:
- Cedarwood oil helps protect against germs, heals wounds faster, eases muscle aches, joint pain, or stiffness, soothes coughs, and helps blood flow better.
- Valerian oil has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times. It’s known for its calming effects that help with stress and sleep problems.
- Copaiba oil comes from the resin of the copaiba tree found in tropical South America. It’s used for faster wound healing, and pain relief, and to treat infections, including bladder infections and even strep throat.
- Frankincense oil helps clear the nose, eases congestion, and helps with breathing problems.
- Helichrysum oil comes from a special flower and is known for preventing signs of getting older.
Remember, never put these essential oils directly on your cat, or leave them where your cat can reach them. Even though they are considered safe, your cat might still get sick if they swallow these oils.
Conclusion
I hope you now understand that Patchouli oil isn’t safe for cats. If you have a cat, it’s better not to use it. But don’t worry, if you love essential oils, there are other types you can use.
No matter which oil you pick, you must be careful. Keep it out of your cat’s reach. Cats can’t handle these strong oils, and we don’t want to upset them.
Remember, if your kitten starts acting differently or you think they might have touched a harmful oil, call the vet right away.
Read More:
