Important oils and different fragrance-smelling objects could make your private home scent great and nice. Many individuals like to make use of such gadgets to clean up the odors inside their properties after they have cats. Nevertheless, is that this protected? One such wooden used for important oils and incense is sandalwood, and it’s not protected for cats. Actually, it’s downright poisonous.
If you happen to’re a cat proprietor and questioned if it’s protected to make use of this wooden for such functions, now you realize it’s not protected to your cat. Let’s discover additional to seek out safer alternate options to make use of round your kitty for a fresh-smelling residence and what to keep away from.
What Is Sandalwood?
Sandalwood is a tree or massive shrub with an earthy and woody perfume. It’s typically used to make important oils, incense, perfumes, cosmetics, and extra. Sandalwood describes quite a few smaller timber belonging to the genus Santalum, and it’s been used for hundreds of years in India, its homeland, for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative properties. You too can discover this tree or plant in Hawaii and Australia.
The flowers and wooden of sandalwood are harvested when the tree is between 10–30 years outdated on account of elevated efficiency of the oils with age. In Hawaii, Australia, and India, the leaves and bark are used to make laundry cleaning soap and medicated shampoo to deal with lice and dandruff, and they’re additionally used to deal with physique aches and wounds.
Is Sandalwood Important Oil Secure to Use Round My Cat?
Important oil created from sandalwood is poisonous to cats if ingested. The issue with cats is they will stroll by a vital oil diffuser and simply get the oil on the fur. As all cat house owners know, cats are professional groomers and groom always. So, when a cat licks the fur, the important oil can turn into ingested and trigger oral and pores and skin irritation.
One other concern with utilizing important oils round cats is their incapability to metabolize the chemical compounds the scents emit. Cats have a decrease variety of sure liver enzymes in comparison with people, which causes elevated threat of toxicity to many seemingly innocent gadgets..
What Different Important Oils Are Poisonous to Cats?
Many important oils are used for aromatherapy, however many are poisonous to make use of round your kitty. It’s tempting to make use of important oils when you have got a cat on account of litter field smells, which may be quite disagreeable if not cleaned typically, however in doing so, you’re placing your cat in danger.
Listed here are different important oils to keep away from:
If you happen to simply bought an oil diffuser, you don’t need to toss it simply but. You’ll be able to nonetheless use the important oils talked about above when you have a cat, however it’s good to take additional precautions should you select to take action.
The one approach to safely use these oils should you’re a cat proprietor is to position the diffuser in a room your cat can’t entry. The room must be well-ventilated with no method your cat can enter and be uncovered.
What Are Indicators of Important Oil Toxicity to Cats?
It’s necessary to know the indicators of important oil toxicity in case your cat is by chance uncovered. It solely takes a small quantity on the pores and skin or a few licks to turn into problematic.
Right here’s what to search for:
If you happen to discover any indicators of toxicity, it’s very important to contact your veterinarian instantly for therapy.
Is It Secure to Use Sandalwood Incense Sticks Round My Cat?
Sadly, burning incense can also be harmful to your cat. The smoke from burning incense sticks may cause respiratory issues in cats. Cats are delicate to smoke, and publicity may cause coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Publicity can even set off bronchial asthma in cats.
What Are Safer Alternate options to Use to Preserve My Home Smelling Nice?
Whereas it’s tempting to make use of important oils and incense, whether or not sandalwood or a unique perfume, it’s finest to chorus from these choices for the protection of your feline companion. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to attempt just a few different methods to clean up your private home which are additionally protected to your cat.
Air Air purifier
Air purifiers are an excellent way to keep your home smelling fresh. They don’t simply masks the odor; quite, they take in pet smells from any room. Nevertheless, make sure you purchase one with an activated carbon filter. Different filters, like HEPA filters, solely rid the air of pet dander however don’t eradicate odors. Air purifiers are dear, however investing in a single is an excellent method of ridding your private home from pet odors, and it’s protected to your cat.
Clear the Litter Field Commonly
Keeping the litter box clean and scooped typically may also help minimize down on litter field smells. It’s advisable to scoop the litter field no less than twice every day and refill it with recent litter as wanted. A rule of thumb is to maintain the litter at a top of two–3 inches.
One other wonderful approach to maintain smells down is to dump outdated litter and exchange it with new litter as soon as a month. After discarding the outdated litter, clear the empty litter field with sizzling water and a gentle, unscented cleaning soap. Scrub completely and rise earlier than including new litter.
Conclusion
Whereas sandalwood offers off a pleasantly heat and earthy scent, it’s unsafe to make use of round your cat. Sandalwood is usually used to make important oils and incense sticks, however neither is good for cat house owners. Important oils may be problematic for cats if ingested from grooming and might trigger oral and pores and skin irritation and liver points. Incense is problematic as a result of smoke, so it’s finest to keep away from these things altogether.
Keep in mind to wash the litter field usually and use an air air purifier with an activated carbon filter for safer alternate options to important oils and incense.
Featured Picture Credit score: Madeleine Steinbach, Shutterstock
