Best Essential Oils for Cats

So there are people who say essential oils should not be used on cats. I do NOT agree with this. I learned awhile ago that essential oils can be used for cats, as long as they are the pure quality essential oils and they are very diluted. The oils can even help cats with the health concerns they have, along with humans.

I have two cats, and I use essential oils on them on a regular basis. And I only use the oils that I sell because I know they are safe for kitty cats. I also have done research on what oils I can and cannot use on my cats (there are a few that should not be used). The cats don’t like getting essential oils put on them, but they do make the cats feel better. I will get it more of those stories as we go along.

Essential Oils for an Anxious Cat

Cats can be just like dogs and have separation anxiety. And also they can be anxious when they have to go to the vet. Or a cat can just be anxious just like humans. There are two oils you can use for anxious kitties. Lavender and Frankincense. So what you do is put a drop of each oil into your hand, and then put your hand close to the cat’s chest so the cat can breathe it in. Notice I didn’t say to put it on the cat, just close to the cat. I have done this before taking my cat to the vet and he has calmed down right away.

Also, if you have a diffuser, you can diffuse these two oils by where the cat likes to hang out. As long as it is in an open room, and the kitty can get out of the room if he wants to. But the diffuser is not necessary! If you did want a diffuser, this is a good one to get.

Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation

Okay, before I tell you what oils for this for kitties, let me tell you a quick story. My cat Max loves to get on top of our pantry, and then jump down from it. It is about a 10 foot jump! Well, one time when he did this he landed wrong, and started walking funny. When we took him to the vet, she said he had torn his ACL in his knee, which immediately got inflamed after the injury. And that we would probably need a $2,000 surgery just so he could walk.

Well, I was not excited to spend that much on my cat (though I would if necessary) so I tried the essential oils I am going to tell you about, right on his knee for 3 days. When we went to the vet, she said Max had very little inflammation, and his knee felt great. The best part, no surgery. He will always have the torn ACL but you wouldn’t even guess that he has an injury now, he runs and jumps just like normal.

The oils I used on Max, and you can too for your cat’s pain and inflammation, were Frankincense and Lemongrass. I put one drop each into my hand, and then about 8 drops of coconut oil on top of that. Then I applied that to Max’s knee. He did not like it too much, but like I said, in 3 days doing this combination twice daily, he was way better. Plus, he is so much happier now that he is not in pain.

Oils for any kind of Stomach Problems

You know when you can just tell your cat is having a problem with his tummy? He is throwing up, having some sort of diarrhea, or is just not acting his normal self. Well, the digestive essential oil blend works well on cats also. What you will want to do is dilute ONE drop in the digestive blend in a teaspoon of coconut oil. This will make it extremely diluted for the kitty.

Then, you apply a couple drops of  this mixture to his abdomen, and rub it around on the belly area. If you would like to, you can also put ONE drop of this mixture on the top of his front paw so the cat can lick it off (remember it is very diluted so it is safe). You can do this two to three times a day until it looks like your cat is feeling better and the symptoms have gone away.

Cats can have Allergies too

I have already told you guys about the essential oils to use for allergies for you and your kiddos, but did you know cats can have allergies too? They get different oils from humans because some of the oils are not safe to use on the kitties (I will get to this in the next section).

So specifically for cats with allergies, you will use one drop each of lemongrass, lavender and lemon. Put the three drops of oil in your hand and dilute with one teaspoon of coconut oil. Then you put one drop of the mixture on the chest, on the top of each back paw, and one drop onto the front paw. Your cat will want to lick it off, and that is okay because the essential oils are very diluted. Do this twice a day for when your kitty is having allergy problems. It can be done every day, or just on the days the cat has allergies.

Essential Oils NOT to use on cats

Now, there are definitely oils that cats can not have or use. The main ones are all the citrus oils (lemongrass is not a citrus oil if you were curious about why this can be used on cats). Also no melaleuca, oregano, clove, cypress or peppermint. Now, if you have pure, good quality essential oils then it is fine to diffuse the oils around the cat. As long as the room is big, and the cat has a way to leave the room if he wants. Then it is fine to diffuse these oils.

I love using essential oils on my cats, and I want you to know what you can use tool. Because our kitties are family.

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Vanessa is a Doctor of Pharmacy who champions natural health. She lives with her husband of 18 years as well as her 12 & 15 year old sons. She aspires to encourage moms on their journey to family wellness through holistic health and essential oils.