How to Calm Your Cat Through Aromatherapy

Table of contents:

How to Calm Your Cat Through Aromatherapy
How to Calm Your Cat Through Aromatherapy

Video: How to Calm Your Cat Through Aromatherapy

Video: How to Calm Your Cat Through Aromatherapy
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Aromatherapy involves using specific scents derived from plants to treat a variety of problems. If your cat is anxious about an upset stomach or a long car ride, aromatherapy can help. Scents such as lavender, cardamom and mint can be used to treat anxiety or stress in him. Either way, many essential oils are toxic or potentially fatal. For safety, it is necessary to take some precautions.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Choosing an Essential Oil

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 1
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 1

Step 1. Use lavender to calm the kitten

It is known for its sedative and calming effects on humans. In cats, it works the same way. If he got anxious before or after a trip, for example, it is possible to treat the problem with a little lavender essential oil.

For such situations, essential oil of geranium is an excellent calming alternative to lavender

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 2
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 2

Step 2. Use cardamom to reduce nausea

If the kitten is getting nauseous during long trips, try cardamom. It is one of the few safe essential oils that works on cats. Don't forget to reduce the concentration of cardamom by mixing it with a little base oil. One example is vegetable oil.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 3
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 3

Step 3. Use mint for gastrointestinal problems

If the feline is anxious or stressed about stomach problems, try peppermint. Dilute the mint oil in the base oil and then give it a sniff.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 4
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 4

Step 4. Use Franquincense Essential Oil

Also known as frankincense, it has a calming effect. It is one of the few essential oils that are undoubtedly safe to use on cats. In addition to franquincense, other essential oils that are safe for this purpose include: cedar, geranium, curry grass, lavender, cardamom and mint. Remember that any essential oil must be diluted before application. Use them to calm your pet during long trips or stressful situations.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 5
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 5

Step 5. Look for pure, organic essential oils

Since any insecticides used on the plant will also be concentrated in the oil (if it is non-organic), it is prudent to buy organic or pure essential oils. Read the label for an organic oil seal or certification. If you're not sure, ask the seller.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 6
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 6

Step 6. Check the quality of essential oils

Buy them from a trusted store that specializes in the field. Thus, you will be able to have correct information about the quality and purity of the products. Unfortunately, there are no quality or purity standards for essential oils. It is necessary to research the brands and buy from a reputable store.

The terms 'therapeutic' and 'clinical use' are arbitrary and mean nothing. Do not blindly trust merchandise with such terms

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 7
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 7

Step 7. Do not use essential oils with polyphenolic compounds

As the cat's liver cannot process polyphenolic compounds (or phenols), avoid essential oils with this type of substance. These include: cinnamon, oregano, cloves, wintergreen (also known as wintergreen), thyme, birch and spiced oils, also known as 'hot' oils.

If you are unsure whether an oil contains phenols, ask an aromatherapist or veterinarian

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 8
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 8

Step 8. Don't let the cat come into contact with tea tree oil

Even though its topical application is safe in humans, it is very dangerous for pussies. Tea tree oil contains terpene, a substance that is toxic to humans and cats, if taken orally. While humans can use it topically, cats are very sensitive to it. Avoid using this type of oil on your cat and, if you have it at home for health or cleaning reasons, do not leave it within reach of the pussy.

  • There are recorded cases of cats that died when coming into contact with tea tree oil.
  • If your cat accidentally ingests tea tree oil, take her to the vet. The poisoning can take up to 72 hours to be treated.
  • Symptoms of tea tree oil ingestion include vomiting, convulsion and muscle tremors.
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 9
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 9

Step 9. Avoid peppermint, lemon and lemon oils

Citrus oils should be avoided as cats are often allergic or sensitive to them. Such oils should not be left near the cat or stored in such a way that the cat can find them. It is not a good idea, for example, to leave the cat locked in a room with citrus oils dispersed in the air. The following essential oils are toxic and should be avoided:

  • Lemon;
  • Orange;
  • Tangerine;
  • Mandarin;
  • Grapefruit;
  • Sicilian lemon;
  • Bergamot;
  • Pine;
  • Picea;
  • Fir.

Part 2 of 3: Finding What Your Cat Likes

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 10
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 10

Step 1. Don't force your pussy to smell, taste or consume essential oils in any way

As they are sensitive, it is best to leave them free to interact with the essence of your choice. Give him a chance to try the oils, but don't force him. With that autonomy, he can just walk away if he's not interested.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 11
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 11

Step 2. Make your cat comfortable with the oil

Apply it to your body and let the cat get used to the smell. If you want, for example, to soothe it with lavender, start by buying a soap with this fragrance. A few days before you give your cat the scent, start by applying two drops to her neck or arm so she can smell.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 12
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 12

Step 3. Hold the diluted essential oil 15 cm from the animal's nose

With a spray or bottle containing the oil diluted in vegetable oil or any other base oil, hold the mixture 6 inches from his nose. Wait and see how he reacts. If he's interested, go ahead and apply the oil. An interested cat shows some signs:

  • Lick your lips;
  • Smell the bottle, walk away and go back to it.
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 13
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 13

Step 4. Instead of essential oils, you can use hydrosol, also known as floral water or hydrolate

If the cat is not very fond of essential oils, use hydrosols, which are similar products, but much less concentrated. Although there is little research in the area, they may be more suitable for cats, as they are softer and more dilute.

Hydrosols are produced from the steam emitted during the production of essential oils

Part 3 of 3: Applying Essential Oil

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 14
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 14

Step 1. Dilute the oils

The first step is to use base oil to dilute the essential oil. As essential oils are very concentrated and cats are sensitive, their dilution should be between 80 and 90%. In a clean container, place 25 ml of base oil. Add a drop of essential oil and mix. Finally, put a few drops of this mixture into the water in your essential oil diffuser.

  • As a base, use cold-pressed vegetable oil.
  • A suggestion is to use three drops of essential oil and 75 ml of base oil.
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 15
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 15

Step 2. Leave some diluted essential oil in a container

In a small bowl or diffuser, leave a little essential oil diluted in vegetable oil. One example is lavender. The dilution must be between 80 and 90%. Finally, put one or two drops of the mixture into the container. If the cat feels like it, he can smell it and experience the calming effects.

  • You can find essential oil diffusers in the price range between R$30 and R$150.00. When choosing which one to buy, pay attention to the size and buy one that is not easily dropped by the cat.
  • Leave fresh water in an easily accessible place.
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 16
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 16

Step 3. Apply essential oil to the cat's body

After diffusion, apply a few drops to the cat's paw or fur. Attention: do this with an essential oil he likes, as the smell will stick to him!

If you're not sure if he likes the fragrance, put a few drops on your hand and pet him. Give him a relaxing massage and he will calm down

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 17
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 17

Step 4. Offer an escape route

Never leave the cat feeling trapped in a certain scent. When leaving the house, do not leave it in a closed room with a diffuser. It is necessary for him to have the autonomy to get away from him in case he suffers from adverse reactions.

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 18
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 18

Step 5. Be careful not to let the oil come into contact with the pussy's eyes or ears

When stroking it with essential oil on your hands, do it safely. The cat can get an infection if oil comes in contact with these parts.

If the essential oil happens to get into the cat's eyes, take him to the veterinarian

Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 19
Calm Your Cat with Aromatherapy Step 19

Step 6. Use an essential oil for two weeks at a time

They are a short-term solution for stressed cats. They can be used sometimes, but they shouldn't be the only way to calm pussies for a long time. If he has been very anxious or stressed, the recommended maximum period for using essential oils is two weeks. Do not use them any longer than this without consulting a veterinarian.

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