My Cat Licked Peppermint Oil? Why Is Peppermint Oil Toxic to Cats?

You’ve likely heard of peppermint oil’s numerous benefits, including aiding digestion and treating insomnia, but did you know that it can also kill cats?

If your cat is licking a lot of peppermint oil and not doing well, call the veterinarian right away. The reason why peppermint oil can be toxic for cats is because of its high menthol content.

The menthol can cause your cat to have a burning sensation in his mouth. If you see your cat drinking a lot of water after being exposed to peppermint oil, he may have a stomach issue.

Why Is Peppermint Oil Toxic to Cats?

In their pure, concentrated form, essential oils pack a serious punch. They have a potent odor to us, so one can only image how potent they are to a cat’s more refined sense of smell.

Cats have a keen sense of smell, but unlike humans and other animals, they lack an enzyme necessary to metabolize the active ingredients in some essential oils.

Their livers operate in a totally different way than ours. The oils’ compounds will accumulate in the animal’s liver, causing illness and maybe death.

The inhalation of some oils has been shown to have neurotoxic effects. Peppermint oil is toxic to cats and should not be inhaled, rubbed into the skin, or ingested.

Liver damage

The cat’s liver is extremely sensitive and can only operate properly with food that mimics its natural diet.

If your cat accidentally ingests peppermint oil, its liver may suffer severe damage that may only be treated with a combination of medications and a special diet.

Breathing difficulties

To feel its effects, peppermint oil doesn’t even have to be ingested by a cat.

If you use a diffuser to disperse peppermint oil around your home, your cat may be at risk for experiencing the following:

• Stressed-out respiration
• Coughing spells
• Lack of oxygen in the blood

However, chronic exposure to peppermint oil in the air can cause irreversible airway damage, even if the symptoms should dissipate once the source is eliminated.

Wobbliness and seizures

Peppermint oil is known to assault a cat’s nervous system.

If your cat ingests peppermint oil, you may notice:

• Facial and/or muscle trembling
• Problems maintaining a steady gait
• Extreme instances may cause seizures.

Digestive issues

If your cat eats anything containing peppermint oil, it might end up with food poisoning and a very upset stomach.

Even if you feel OK before the oil enters your digestive tract, you will almost surely experience:

• Feeling sick and throwing up
• Diarrhoea
• Possible Very Short-Term Weight Loss

If your cat’s digestive issues persist for more than a day, they may cause weight loss. As your cat’s fat reserves are being mobilized, hepatic lipidosis can develop rapidly if you do not intervene soon (fatty deposits around the liver).

This is quite dangerous, and full liver function will need to be rehabilitated over a lengthy period of time.

Is Peppermint Oil Safe For Cats? What Are The Risks?

Simply said, cats shouldn’t be exposed to peppermint oil in any form. If you’ve ever tried to use peppermint oil on your cat, you know they hate the scent just as much as humans do.

The sense of smell is 14 times more sensitive in your cat than it is in you. Even if the scent of peppermint brings happy holiday memories to you, your cat does not share your enthusiasm for this oil. It will be too much for her to handle.

Your cat may have trouble breathing, a rapid heart rate, and even aspiration pneumonia just from smelling the perfume.

Similar to other essential oils, peppermint oil has phenols and phenolic chemicals. Both inhalation and oral use of phenols can have severe effects on a cat’s health.

Cats and dogs are different in one important way. Cats, in contrast to dogs (and humans), don’t have the liver enzymes that aid in the detoxification of phenols and other toxic chemicals.

When ingested by cats, peppermint oil can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even liver failure. It can also have a negative effect on their neurological systems. Ingestion of phenol-containing essential oils can be fatal for cats.

But I’m not giving her peppermint oil! you might be thinking.

Wismer points out that a cat’s fur can easily become permeated with the oil’s odor. To eliminate the smell, a cat may lick its fur more aggressively, as it is part of its normal grooming routine.

Essential oils used topically can be harmful even in very tiny doses if consumed inside.

Finally, the skin of your cat is incredibly thin and sensitive. When essential oils are used topically, they can be dangerous because they can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream.

The implication is obvious.

Don’t try to cure your cat’s fleas with peppermint oil.

What Are the Signs of Toxic Poisoning in Cats?

Unless they are vomiting, cats are experts at staying out of sight when they are ill, as I noted above.

Nonetheless, here are some signs to keep an eye out for:

• Excessive snoozing and listlessness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Telltale symptoms of disorientation and confusion
• Discoloration of the face, especially the lips, nose, and eyes
• Tapping on their cheek
• Purring (if your cat doesn’t usually purr).

Peppermint Essential Oil and Cats: Does it Kill Fleas?

A hybrid of wintergreen and spearmint, peppermint has a refreshing and invigorating flavor.

The essential oil extracted from this plant has long been used to soothe an upset stomach, alleviate nausea, and calm an unsettled intestine.

This essential oil, when used topically, helps with itching and pain. Aromatherapists employ its essential oils, which they say improve energy and respiratory function when diffused.

Because peppermint oil is a pesticide, it can also eliminate fleas. The pungent aroma of peppermint may be fatal to fleas, which is why it is often used to rid animals of these pests.

Why is that? Fleas’ central nervous systems are disrupted by peppermint oil, likely resulting in a drawn-out and unpleasant demise.

It’s understandable if you feel no sympathy for the little vampires. However, there are more expedient methods of flea control, and doing so is essential. As a matter of fact, a single female flea may produce fifty eggs every day.

As the Medical Director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Dr. Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT, recommends that cat owners take their pets to the vet before attempting any at-home therapy.

You and your vet can figure out the best course of action for your cat.

Many therapies on the market need you to apply them in places your cat’s tongue can’t get. Wismer suggests keeping an eye on your pet after giving it a new drug.

She also recommends storing all medication and supplies out of the reach of pets to prevent unwanted consumption.

Is peppermint oil bad for cats in spray or diffuser form?

As long as your cat doesn’t ingest the oil, you could assume it’s fine to use peppermint.

This is illogical, as cats may also be harmed by peppermint oil, which is commonly used in air fresheners and other household products.

• Small droplets of peppermint oil may be released into the air via sprays and diffusers, making it possible for a dog to inhale them while licking a patch of fur.
• Your cat may grow matted or smelly from them, and he or she may try to lick the area clean. Peppermint oil is hazardous in even trace concentrations.
• Cats may absorb peppermint oil through their thin skin if the oil is left in the fur.
• You may be cautious and examine your cat for indications of contamination, but the effects might not show up for a day or two. In this case, you should take your cat to the doctor as soon as possible.

Cats aren’t the only ones that might sneakily inspect the essential oil container while you’re not looking since they’re so intrigued by the scent.

Fortunately, most cats avoid peppermint because of its strong scent, so they are not likely to risk a test lick. If you want to rest easy, keep your peppermint oil-containing items out of the reach of your curious feline friends.

When’s the time to visit the vet?

As soon as you observe any of the following symptoms in your cat and realize you have any peppermint oil products in the house, take him or her to the doctor immediately.

• Wheezing
• Irregular gait or muscular tremors
• Problems digesting food or vomiting, despite otherwise normal behavior
• Retching
• Drooling
• Flushed cheeks with a red lips
• Lethargy
• Pettling on one’s visage with paws
• Bubbling eyes

If peppermint oil and cats don’t mix, how do you keep your cat healthy?

Good diet can help with most of the problems that peppermint oil is said to solve.

Due to their status as obligate carnivores, felines can only properly nourish themselves when they consume:

• Meat is an excellent source of the protein found in animals.
• Cats love animal products like jelly and gravy made from them.

Cats and Essential Oils: What About Other Essential Oils?

Are all essential oils hazardous for cats? Not exactly. But it’s necessary for you to be aware of the most harmful essential oils if you have feline companions living under your home.

Essential Oils Toxic to Cats

Some essential oils should never be used in a diffuser in the presence of a cat. Diffusers release tiny droplets of essential oils into the air, and if any of those droplets land on your cat’s hair, they may end up inhaling or ingesting them.

If you’re going to use an essential oil diffuser, Wismer says to put it in a room where your cat can’t possibly get into it. She does warn against using a diffuser if your cat has a history of respiratory issues.

This is not an all-inclusive list, but it does include many of the more common essential oils that are harmful to cats. Before using any essential oils to your cat, consult with your vet.

• Essential oil of cloves
• oil extracted from thyme
• Oil distilled from cinnamon bark
• Extracts of Oregano
• Pure lavender oil
• oils of ylang ylang and other flowers
• Fragrant oil of citrus fruit
• Aromatic oil of wintergreen
• Oil extracted from pennyroyal
• Essential oil of peppermint
• Aromatic oil extracted from birch trees
• the essential oil of eucalyptus

Antiseptic properties of tea tree oil (note: tea tree oil, sometimes called melaleuca oil, is also poisonous to humans if ingested)

Additionally, several of these oils are used to produce liquid potpourri, which should also not be used around cats.

Essential Oils Safe for Cats

Talk to your vet about using cedarwood oil if you’re determined to discover a natural solution for your cat’s fleas. Some firms provide diluted cedarwood oil that is suitable for pets, however this is not the case for all cedarwood oil.

These businesses use cedar oil extracted from trees that don’t produce toxins (Juniperus ashei) and filter out any potentially dangerous phenols.

Just like fleas, cats don’t enjoy the way cedarwood oil smells.

As Wismer points out, “Remember that your pets have a far better sense of smell than humans do,” so what may seem innocuous to us may be overpowering to our furry friends.

It’s possible you’ll cause your cat needless suffering even if you locate an essential oil that won’t hurt it.

Catnip essential oil is a lesser-known choice that is acceptable to use in a diffuser around cats. Not only is it good for human health, but it may also work as a moderate stimulant for your pet.

It may aid with digestion, combat sleeplessness, ease spasms, and purge toxins from the body.

Conclusion

A cat licking peppermint oil out of the bottle is not an unusual occurrence. Many cats find peppermint oil appealing to lick and play with. That said, a small amount of peppermint oil in the eyes can cause them to swell and itch.

If your cat licks a whole bottle of it out of the bathroom cabinet, this is a very dangerous situation. This is because peppermint oil is extremely toxic to cats.

source https://catshint.com/cat-licked-peppermint-oil/