When the whole family takes care of itself naturally and mainly with aromatherapy, we would also like our animals to benefit from the same advantages. Although pets are generally less subject to medication than humans, sometimes it is necessary. Also, we would like to use, as for us, essential oils, hydrolats, Bach flowers, gemmotherapy, etc. But is it really suitable? Moreover, whether you have a cat, a dog or a hamster, the protocol will not be the same because our furry friends do not react in the same way to a medical treatment, no matter how natural.
Nos félins face aux huiles essentielles.
It would be easy to apply a drop of tea tree essential oil on the skin of our felines if a tick has clung to them. Unfortunately, les chiens, cela ne posera aucun souci, il n’en sera pas de même pour les chats.
En effet, leur gabarit plus petit et leur peau beaucoup plus fine peut déjà laisser à réfléchir (n’oublions pas que les huiles essentielles sont des produits à utiliser avec soin et conscience) mais en plus, nos chats ne sont pas adaptés à un environnement tel que celui où baignent des huiles essentielles.
Cela s’explique principalement par le fait que les chats n’ont pas une enzyme particulière, la « glucuronyl transferase » qui leur permet l’élimination du phénols, entre autre, composant majeur de la plupart des huiles essentielles. Retenons donc que les huiles essentielles sont des produits toxiques pour les chats qui peuvent, à leur contact, tomber rapidement malade par une intoxication.
En effet, alors que l’enzyme « glucuronyl transferase » permet à l’homme d’éliminer plus de 50% des toxiques, le chat n’en éliminera à peine que 3% par les urines. Dès lors, les molécules toxiques pour le chat s’accumuleront dans son foie jusqu’à ce que ce celui-ci sature et engendre la mort de l’animal.
Although complete avoidance is recommended for our furry friends, the priority will really be on hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) and neurotoxic (toxic to the nervous system) essential oils, thus oils composed of phenol molecules and ketone molecules. These should be totally banned from the feline environment. Obviously, dermocaustic oils, such as citrus oils, should be avoided as well, as they are too abrasive for the sensitive skin of felines.
Liste non exhaustive des huiles essentielles non recommandées :
Eucalytpus
Oregano
Thyme
Savory
Clove
Cinnamon
Cedar
Sage
Peppermint
Cajeput
Pine
Lemon
Orange
Grapefruit
Tangerine
Juniper
Clove
Tea tree
Lavender
Ginger
Chamomile
Thyme Rosemary
If you wish to treat your animal with essential oils, I invite you to consult a veterinarian trained in aromatherapy who will know perfectly all the essential oils adapted to the animal environment. Indeed, he will be able to advise you according to your animal while allowing a safer accompaniment for its overall health.
Some people might be tempted to put a few drops of lemon essential oil in their cat's litter box to prevent bad odors. Be aware that this is also toxic to the animal and for the same reason as above..
Quelles méthodes douces pour nos chats ?
Other natural products are less invasive than essential oils and could be used more easily:
The hydrolats cures
The Bach flowers
Lithotherapy (our animals are very sensitive to the energies of stones)
But here again, we strongly advise you to take advice from a veterinarian trained in natural methods for the most appropriate treatment.