Several veterinary blogs and Q&A forums answer the question of pine scented litter, and the common answer is “we DO NOT recommend using any form of pine or pine scent near your cats at all. Collect samples. The symptoms that occur include vomiting and depression. Get the directions for making your own pine cone garland. Every moment matters if you think your cat has been exposed to something toxic. Here are a couple of good recipes for fall (or any time of the year, if you ask me!) Asthma in cats (“feline allergic bronchitis”) can cause coughing spasms due the respiratory irritating effect of these sprays when breathed in. It has always perplexed me that so many litters these days contain the pine scent for odor control, and yet a part of me wants to believe that no manufacturer would purposefully use toxic substances in their litter products. By: Catherine Angle, DVM Staff Veterinarian at Pet Poison Helpline. The reason for this is pine oil can cause upper respiratory infections. thanks. Just wondering if any information is available on this product from Wondercide or cedar oil for cats in general. Plants Toxic to Cats. Avoid those made from (or with) paraffin, as that can release more potential impurities and irritants that can bother both your and your pet's respiratory system. Individual pets may also have allergic reactions to pine . Catch one hint of these aromas any time of year, and you may be instantly taken back to childhood sledding races, homemade gingerbread houses, or sweet memories with family and friends. However, over time, studies have shown compelling evidence that many essential oils are toxic to cats whether inhaled, taken orally, or applied to their skin. do you know if this is true? Should I get her checked (blood/ urine tests)? Inhalation of the oils could lead to aspiration pneumonia. That said, just because a scent (or method of dispensing it) is safe for you, or even a small child, doesn't mean that it'll necessarily be safe for, on, or even around your cats or dogs. While dried potpourri scented with essential oils is not as big of a concern, some pets may be attracted to chewing on or eating attractive-smelling pine cones, dried flowers or other plant material. Recently I had occasion to visit a pet store with an animal loving friend who is always in search of environmentally friendly products which her three cats will accept. It has to do with the phenols in the essential oils and what the carrier ingredients may be. Dr. Box 3732 As a cat lover and caretaker, it’s important to avoid toxic household products and choose environmentally safe and natural products instead. Cats are very sensitive to beta-carotene, morphine, certain sulfanomides, salicylic acid (Aspirin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), allyl propyl disulfide (onions) and compounds with the bezene ring (benzyl alcohol preservative). She happened upon a bio-degradable pine scented kitty litter which, for all intents and purposes, seemed ideal for her family. My cat almost died of poisoning when I diffused Lavender oil in the room. This is at no cost to you, but it helps fund the free education that we have on our website. If you can't do without a regular "flame candle," opt for the "cleaner burning" candles that are made from soy, beeswax, or vegetable wax. One can also use a dowsing pendulum or one of the many electronic radionic devices for testing an oil. not dangerous at all! My cats won't stand on or move the pine cones because the cones are "stickery" to their paws. Unfortunately, like all candles, even the scented varieties can pose a burn risk for your inquisitive pets and a fire risk for your home and family (in other words, your cat can tip the candle and start or fire or even light themselves on fire). While you are reading labels, review your household products as well. It is best to avoid any oil containing phenols: oregano, thyme, cinnamon (cassia), clove, savory, birch, and melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) or ketones: sage. I feel terrible, bc I used pine litter for over a decade without knowing it was a problem. Pine cones are not toxic to cats that I know of; mine have always played with them outside and never gotten sick. Many people will burn scented candles to help "set the mood," especially around the holidays. I never noticed her having a problem with it, although I have read a few posts of some cats that the owner felt that they had. Articulate Animals, LLC You can also follow Dr. Janet Roark, "The Essential Oil Vet." I noticed the pellets have very jagged edges compared to feline pine, and Feline Pine has a waxy coat on their pellets that the ABM didn’t have. Itching can be alleviated using witch hazel, rose, lavender or German chamomile. Even better, you can use flameless candles, which will also eliminate the candle smoke that can irritate a cat or dog's respiratory system, leading to worsening of any existing asthma, bronchitis, tracheal (windpipe) problems, or other conditions of their respiratory system. Unfortunately, there is a hidden danger in air fresheners called Phthalates. Cat Health, As lovers of cats and having a weakness for scented candles, we recommend a product called “Paw Melts” that are fragrant melts made from a blend of 100% certified organic waxes. I applaud your diligence in reading the ingredients, Lisa. at high temperatures or high pressure) that can produce low quality EO; or much worse (and something that is more prevalent): synthetic EO or adulterated EO. P.O. The number of reports of exposure in cats was higher than dogs, but the frequency of reported adverse effects was similar between the 2 species. If I use any of the oils in the charts above on myself or around the house, I keep the cats away for at least one hour. Agitation and hypersalivation were common in cats, whereas lethargy and vomiting were common in dogs.” Genovese, McLean, & Khan 15 Essential Oils that are Toxic to Dogs Though I agree with much of what Kelly Krueger says, there is a clarification that needs to be made: The problem is not the distillation of essential ois; in fact, Essential oils (EO) are produced through distillation mostly. Furniture polish, common floor and counter cleaners, paint removers and solvents with pine scent may contain undiluted/undistilled oils which may be toxic for your cats. If I choose to use any of the oils in the charts above on cats, I would always use a highly diluted formula (at least 10:1 with carrier oil or less). The scent of dry potpourri, though not immediately harmful to cats, can be quite irritating to their sensitive noses. However, the pine oils are destroyed in the manufacturing process, leaving the pellets safe. In fact, exposure to some essential oils can cause liver failure, respiratory problems, or even fatality in the worst cases. Too bad, I wouldve saved alot of money. Cats can be extremely sensitive to smoke, which is a major factor in worsening, and perhaps even causing, cat asthma and other respiratory conditions. Pine trees are listed as toxic for both dogs and cats in many registries. I also use kinesiology with a human surrogate tester for the animal. Perfect for indoor or outdoor pine cone decor. Even a quick lick off a paw or fur can cause serious problems. Scented Pine Cones and other Natural Room Fresheners Pinecones purchased at big box stores are scented with artificial and synthetic fragrances, containing phthalates and hundreds of other chemicals. Cinnamon Scented Pinecones (2 ways!) Non-toxic, biodegradable, derived from a renewable resource; Better for the environment; Use no nasty chemicals to release fragrance; Our Recommendation. More good news for cats, the better ones also help to remove fine particles from the air that could irritate your cat's lungs (on that note, it's also a good idea to regularly change your furnace and AC filters). I cannot find any non clumping litter at any pet food stores! Allow cones to cool. Essential oils are very toxic to cats and dogs who lick and groom their coats. Each animal guardian must make their own decision. Why is he doing this!!? Pine Cones. Not only is it eucalyptus, it’s clumping!! This is the case with people, as well as with our pets. Seal the pine cones in the bag for 2 to 7 days, after which the cones … There are significant variations in … Note that potpourri and scented candles can also cause asthma and coughing fits in cats, as highlighted above. And most essential oils, EVEN when they say they are 100% pure, are NOT pure nor good quality. Hydrosols (by-products of essential oil distillation) are safer to use on cats. The Problem with Most Scented Candles and Scent Plug-ins. The first sign of toxicity is facial tics and abnormal whisker and ear movements. Aug. 16, 2018 You cannot eliminate phenols from those pellets. Any information on natural flea treatments for cats would help also. Cats can get hurt when they step on or eat broken ornaments or pine needles. Make homemade cleaning products since they are another huge source of synthetic scents. Add three drops of cinnamon essential oil to the bottle and shake. As a general rule, cats are often more sensitive to the potentially-toxic and other dangerous effects of essential oils and other scents than dogs are, but it very much depends on the scent, the delivery method, and the pet. Alternatively, put pine cones in a plastic bag with several drops of cinnamon or clove oil or Christmas essential oil. Ana quoted from the website that repeatedly states that Lavender is one of the safe oils. Individual pets may also have allergic reactions to pine. Many of the research sites discuss hydrosols as a safe alternative, however some animal advocates insist that hydrosols have not been tested, and therefore unknown risks may exist. The scented litter was used 134 times, while the unscented cat litter was used 143 times. So it's a bit of trail-and-error, I'm afraid. Kelly@ArticulateAnimals.com, How to Get the Most from Your Animal Communications, Phone calls, emails, and scheduling requests, Schedule your animal communication consultation, http://www.puressentiel.com/ca/en/products/purifying/purifying-air-spray-200ml, http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/essential-oils-for-cats.html, http://www.optimumchoices.com/animals_essential_oils.htm. There is no debate that in their original form phenols are toxic to cats. I would ONLY get pine pellets that have been kiln dried to where most of the phenols/oils have been removed, which I think are most pine pellets for animals , but not 100% sure. I know - now some wise-ass will respond that cow turds have a natural grassy smell. The cat, a healthy 11-pound, 3-year-old neutered male, was rushed to the veterinarian, a victim of his own curiosity. I make sure you rinse and dry the surface as thoroughly as possible. New litter products come on the market all the time – it’s hard to keep up to date! As for cats, if phenols are dangerous for them, avoid the following EO: oregano, helichrysum, cinnamon (cassia), thyme, clove, tulsi (holy basil), mountain. This usually happens when the pine sap or pine needles that get attached to the pinecones that a dog or cat would eat. Several veterinary blogs and Q&A forums answer the question of pine scented litter, and the common answer is “we DO NOT recommend using any form of pine or pine scent near your cats at all. Adam-and-Eve (Arum, Lord-and-Ladies, Wake Robin, Starch Root, Bobbins, ... Scented Geranium (Geraniums) | Scientific Names: Pelargonium sp. Not to be gross, but it was alittle softer than normal, but then again the dog ate CINNAMON SCENTED PINE CONES!!!! If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center. They all died from trouble breathing..there was a lot of suffering before they expired. However, avoid using citrus, such as orange peels and lemon peels, which can be a highly unpleasant smell for many cats and can irritate or even stress them out. 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