Cat’s sense of smell is 14 times better than that of humans. So strong smells and air fresheners and incense may help your home smell good but they can also trigger an asthma or coughing attack in certain cats. Asthma in cats (“feline allergic bronchitis”) can cause coughing spasms due the respiratory irritating effect of these sprays when breathed in.
Before we look at what scents are safe for cats, you should know which ones to avoid. The following essential oils contain phenols that could harm your little furball:
Citrus oil
Tea tree oil
Wintergreen oil
Pine oil
Peppermint oil
Eucalyptus oil
Ylang Ylang oil
Pennyroyal oil
Sweet birch oil
Clove oil
Some common signs your kitty may have been exposed to harmful scents include:
Watery nose
Watery eyes
Drooling
Vomiting
Tremors
Low Heart Rate
Low blood pressure
Ataxia (wobbliness)
Difficulty Breathing
Liver failure
But, not all is bad news. Here is a list of plants that smell great and According to the ASPCA are feline-friendly:
Basil
Easter Lily Cactus
Fennel
Hibiscus
Jasmine
Lemon Balm
Rose
Sage
Thyme
So plant away! They look fantastic too!
Love,
Andrea
Comments