I have more than a layman's knowledge about aromatherapy oils although I am not an aromatherapist. I have always understood aromatherapy oils were not safe for cats. I currently have two kittens too young for me to use frontline, and a friend sent me a link to a site called alternative vet .org......and they list the following oils as being safe on cats and dogs
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Tea Tree
- Camphor
- Lemongrass
- Pennyroyal
- Sage
- Garlic
Now I recognise the value of these oils in control of fleas and ticks - but are they really safe on cats? Is everything I was always taught wrong?
Our cat has had tea tree on his wounds after he's been fighting, though not anywhere near his eyes/mouth and always watered down. He's been fine with it.
Couldn't say about the others though.
How old are the kittens?
About 8 weeks old
Are they infested? Can you see the 'galloping dandruff' as my childhood doctor used to call nits!!
Well we both THOUGHT we saw passengers but we are now not so sure. I am still interested out of curiosity. If I CAN use oils on all my cats I would much prefer that to Frontline.......but both my unofficial AND official aromatherapy training is that cats and oils are a no no...
I got my vet nurse daughter to check with her boss - you are right - absolute no no! He recommends that if the kittens had been under 8 weeks, that you could have chased the passengers with a human flea comb - 2 jobs at once - evicting unwanted visitors and getting them used to being groomed - a bonding opportunity.
He told her that he knows of owners who use tea tree, very dilute, for wound care, but they have to be careful, as it can cause liver damage. Frontline can be used safely on kittens over 2.5lbs - but best to get them checked by the vet first.
Thanks for that. I did try to tell the friend who gave me the link that Oils and cats don't mix..........Happily we can see NO sign of passengers on our two little cuties and since ours our flea free - and frontlined.......they should be ok.