As anyone who follows me on twitter will know, I have two feline flatmates. They recently entered my life and have been a great joy – not least as they have helped me cope with a bereavement.
However, there have been some unexpected adjustments to my life. I love essential oils, and enjoy the range of smells that can be created. I’m not sure if I buy some of the claims of aromatherapists, but I do think that scent is a powerful mood enhancer. BUT, essential oils are toxic to cats. I knew that cats could not tolerate oils on skin – it was news to me though that inhalation is also toxic. Essential oils destroy cats’ livers – so the effect is cumulative. Pine and eucalyptus are especially toxic, and it in so many cleaners. So no more diffusers, essential oil baths or cleaning products. Many of the eco-friendly cleaners are made with essential oils. Cats also cannot tolerate disinfectant (anything which goes cloudy in water).
My hunt for eco-friendly and cat non-killing cleaning products and ‘nice smell makers’ continues. In the meantime I have made (what a friend calls) Salad dressing cleaners. They all follow a similar path
Steeping a cat-friendly herb or flower in white vinegar for a few days. Draining off the vinegar/herb/flower juice into a spray bottle, adding a tablespoon of vodka and topping off with water. I also added some lemons. So far I have made plain lemon cleaner, basil and lemon and lavender. While the oils of these are toxic, the plants themselves are not. I have been a bit sceptical, but the lemon and basil is the most effective bathroom cleaner I have used. My shower door is clear of water/scum marks, and I think the build up of mould is less (noticeable).
To freshen carpets I have combined bicarb with lavender leaves. I’m also trying little bowls of bicab with herbs in to act as air freshener. Someone on twitter recommended a bowl of vinegar, which got rid of the smell of the litter trays, and replaced it with – the smell of vinegar. So that’s a no.
I’d like to hear anyone else’s suggestions.
Cooking and eating 
I was very surprised when I read this. I thought that there are so many cats in UK homes, and so many products involved, why hadn’t I heard of this before now? I knew about phenolic disinfectants, but not the oils. (There was a case of zoo lions suffering badly through the keepers over zealously cleaning their enclosure with old fashioned disinfectant.) Surely Katypips had not been sucked into believing a fad? But my own quick Google session seemed to confirm the information.
There is just one element of the picture that may be more important than Katypips has recognised… strength. The quantity of disinfectant necessary for it to be effective is such that the amount of phenol sloshing about is considerable. The amount of an essential oil added to products need only be very small for them to be effective for humans, so the concentration of phenols (which seem to be the only chemical group of relevance) is tiny and perhaps safe for felines.
My gut says there is more (or less, depending on your point of view) to this than has so far met the eye.
Because the cats don’t go out I am more cautious. Otherwise I might just use products and let the cats back in once all is safe. I’m erring on the side of caution!