Month: June 2019

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Are Essential Oil Flea Treatments Safe for Cats?

There has been a large shift in the past decade or so towards natural living. People are trying to move away from artificial and processed products and this trend has extended to their pets as well. Many people have begun feeding their cats grain-free foods, declawing is becoming more and more uncommon and people are trying to reduce the number of synthetic chemicals they put on their furry friends.

While on the lookout for natural and effective flea treatments for cats, you may have heard that peppermint oil can kill fleas, or maybe you’ve even seen that there are a few commercially available essential oil cat treatments that use peppermint oil as the main ingredient.

You may want to think twice before buying it for your cat, though!

It’s very important to keep cats flea and tick-free, especially if you have outdoor/indoor kitties. Not only are fleas a nuisance that are incredibly hard to get rid of once established, fleas and ticks can also carry blood-borne diseases that can affect both our cats and ourselves. That’s why there’s such a large demand for topical flea treatments for our pets, but these medications are not exactly free of their own problems.

Conventional flea treatments for cats are made with insecticides such as pyriproxyfen that disrupt the growth cycle of fleas. While these flea treatments are usually safe for your cat when used as directed, accidental ingestion or hypersensitivity to the chemicals can cause negative side effects, ranging from hyper-salivating, agitation and vomiting. In extreme cases, such as when flea treatments intended for dogs are applied to cats, seizures and death can occur.

Are Essential Oils Effective Against Fleas?

So it’s perfectly understandable that people are looking for a natural alternative to the synthetic chemicals that are often used in these conventional flea medications. Since essential oils have gained so much popularity with people due to their medicinal and wellness-promoting effects, they seem like the perfect alternative to artificial flea medication for our cats.

It seems like the active ingredients in the majority of these natural flea treatments are peppermint oil, clove oil and lemongrass oil. These are usually diluted into another carrier oil, like canola oil. We decided to look at the effectiveness of each of these oils at killing or repelling fleas before trying it on our cats. Here’s what we found:

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a very effective insecticide that has shown promise at repelling fleas and ticks. The strong odor of menthol, the main naturally-occurring chemicals in peppermint, interferes with a flea’s sense of smell, confusing them and leading to them avoid the area with the smell. Just planting peppermint around your yard can help reduce how many fleas get into your property.

Clove Oil

Clove oil and its constituent compound eugenol have also been researched and shown to be a powerful natural insecticide capable of quickly killing fleas and other insects. While its mechanism of action isn’t fully understood, it is thought to be an insect neurotoxin and has shown to be capable of producing cardiac hyperactivity followed by death in many insect species, meaning it pretty much gives bugs heart attacks.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass, a deliciously smelling ornamental grass native to India, has also been shown to have natural insect repelling properties as well. It can harm and kill insects without having any dangerous effects on people. It’s believed that the volatile compounds that make it smell so strong have a neurotoxic effect on many insect species, including fleas.

Are Essential Oils Safe For Cats?

Calico cat is suspicious and you should be too

These three essential oils sound like an all-natural powerhouse of flea destroying goodness. No wonder so many companies are using it in their products. Essential oil flea treatments for cats seem to be springing up everywhere; there’s even a dollar store brand available now. This all sounds great, right? Not at all.

Peppermint Oil & Clove Oil Are Highly Toxic to Cats!!

Noooo!!!

Yes, you read that right. These two oils, the very same ones that are used as the main ingredients in a majority of all-natural flea treatments for cats, are incredibly dangerous and not recommended for use on cats! Not only does the ASPCA list Mint (Mentha sp.), which includes peppermint, as a toxic plant to cats, but there have also been plenty of studies that have shown that peppermint oil is dangerous to our feline companions. One study even described how cats are more likely than dogs to have adverse reactions to these essential oil-based flea treatments, even when used as directed.

Peppermint oil and clove oil can cause tremors and muscle spasms, vomiting, drooling and even respiratory problems in cats. Lemongrass isn’t as dangerous for cats, but it should still not be applied directly to their fur or skin.

While essential oils can be perfectly safe for humans and can even be used on other pets such as dogs, cats have a much smaller liver and are more sensitive to concentrated compounds such as those found in essential oils. A cat’s liver also lacks an important enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) that helps us break down certain compounds in peppermint, clove and other essential oils: phenols, ketones and monoterpene hydrocarbons.

These compounds aren’t only dangerous when ingested, which a cat is likely to do with anything you put on their fur as they meticulously groom themselves, but they can also easily pass through a cat’s skin and into their bloodstream.

This means that you should never put essential oils, no matter how diluted, on your cat’s skin or fur. The results could be deadly.

Here’s what a reviewer had to say about one of these products:

And they weren’t the only ones whose cat had some kind of bad reaction. Even if it doesn’t happen to every cat, putting essential oils on your kitty is like playing Russian roulette with their health.

You should not only refuse to use essential oil flea medications on your cat but should also be very careful about what you keep in your home. It’s not recommended to use diffusers with potentially dangerous essential oils in a house with cats, as even inhaling the diffused compounds can cause disorientation, vomiting and muscle spasms in some sensitive kitties.

Peppermint and clove oil aren’t the only oils that are dangerous for cats. They’re just the ones being commonly sold as “safe and natural” flea treatments and are being put on thousands of cats across the country.

Although you should never put ANY essential oil directly on your cat, that doesn’t mean you can’t diffuse or use other oils in your home.

We’ve put together a handy list of dangerous essential oils you should keep away from your kitty, which you can download here:

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Why Is My Cat Blinking at Me?

We may never know what a cat wink means, though

Cats communicate in a variety of ways. Sometimes they meow non-stop for us to fill their food bowls and other times their body language is so subtle that it’s really easy to miss altogether. Non-cat people might find it hard to believe, but even the seemingly simple act of blinking contains so much meaning and emotion when you’re a cat.

Perhaps you may have noticed that sometimes your cat blinks at you or at other cats in a slow, almost methodical way, while other times they stare wide-eyed at you without blinking at all. Cats are very visually-oriented and a cat’s eyes can actually tell you a lot about their mood and mindset. The slow blink is no exception. Most cats will exhibit this behavior at some point or another so it is something that many cat owners are curious about. A cat’s body language can be difficult to read if you don’t know what to look for, so let’s delve into what exactly this blinking behavior trying to tell us.

What Slow Blinking Means

Often referred to as “cat eyes”, the slow blinking is a sign of trust in cats. It really expresses a beautiful message because of its significance coming from an animal that is both predator and prey. You see, in the wild cats rely heavily on their sense of sight – both to keep themselves safe from predators and while hunting for their next meal. Closing their eyes around another animal, even for a brief moment, could mean that they might lose sight of a potential snack or even find themselves on the receiving end of a sharp pair of teeth.

The fact that they’re willing to close their eyes around you shows a high level of trust and attachment. They’re pretty much letting you know that not only do they not see you as potential prey or a threat to their well-being, but they also want to make sure you know that they know, you know? The slow blink is a deliberate message that cats are trying to convey: Hey! You’re neither food nor foe. Let’s be friends!

The slow blink is one of the first signs of affection that you can experience with a cat. Unlike what that dog person down the street may have told you, cats are very friendly animals. You may even catch cats who have never met slow blinking at each other as a way to break the ice and let the other know they come in peace. Which is great because one of the best things about the slow blink is that it’s something you can do with cats that aren’t even yours.

Cat Eyes – You Can Do It Too!

Now that you know what the slow blink means, you may become more aware of this behavior in your cat. Even if you don’t see it right away, don’t despair! That doesn’t necessarily mean that the cat in question doesn’t trust you. But if you want to be sure, you can do a little trust check with your cat. Just start the slow blink yourself and watch for a reaction.

To do this, always get down to their level first. Making sure to present yourself in a non-threatening manner is the only way to guarantee a good reaction from a cat. Never stare at the cat when doing this, either. Staring is intimidating to cats and is seen as a hunting or challenging behavior. For increased chances of success, try tilting your head, looking slightly off to the side and softening your gaze.

Once you are on their level, slowly close your eyes and leave them closed for a few seconds before slowly opening them again. You may have to repeat a few times before the cat mirrors the behavior. You may even have to back off and try again later if it is a new cat or one that is otherwise unfamiliar with you. Some cats are very trusting and friendly and will return the slow blink quickly, while others will take some time to warm up before showing this level of affection.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try, though. Whether you are spending time with your cat, just got a new kitten, are visiting a cat-loving friend or simply spot a cat while walking down the street, go ahead and slow blink at them! This behavior is one that you can try on most any cat. Don’t expect them all to respond to you though, but if they do, then you know you may be able to cross one more cat off your “To Hug” list.

Not All Cats Engage In The Slow Blink

Shadow wondering if we have something stuck in our eyes again as we try to slow blink at him

While it is uncommon to find a cat that won’t return cat eyes, there are a variety of reasons that a cat may not exhibit this behavior. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the cat doesn’t trust you. Like many other cat behaviors, the slow blink is partly instinct and partly passed down during a cat’s crucial development period. Some cats simply never learn about the slow blink. One of the most common reasons this happens is early abandonment where the animal is not socialized with other cats during an important developmental time.

Shadow from The Cultured Cat was abandoned at a young age and gets confused when we try to slow blink at him. He just stares back at us with a face of “what are those weird humans doing now”. However, other similar ways to know that your cat trusts you is if they’re willing to fall sleep around you or expose their midline by rolling over. These actions express the same message that they don’t view you as a threat. If your cat is unwilling to do any of these things in your presence, it is likely time to ask yourself what you can do to make your cat feel more comfortable in your shared home environment.

Slow blinking is a simple behavior that you can share with your cat to strengthen the bond of trust that exists between the two of you. It also allows you to be able to communicate with your furry friend in their own language. Now you can venture out into the world with the ability to establish trust and friendship with all of the cats you meet along your journey.

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New York on the Verge of Banning Declawing Cats

Cats Rejoice Outside Albany Capitol Building Upon Hearing the News

New York is slated to become the first state in the nation to make declawing cats illegal. The bill was passed by a bipartisan majority in both houses of the New York legislature on Tuesday, June 4th, Animal Advocacy Day, during which lawmakers can bring their pets to the Capitol. The law will go into effect as soon as it’s signed by Governor Cuomo, and his office has stated he’ll review the bill once he receives it before making a final decision.

Declawing is a procedure in which the last bone in each of the cat’s toes is fully amputated. Many people who opt to have their cats declawed seem to think it’s a harmless and simple process in which just the cat’s nails are removed, but it’s not. The human equivalent of declawing would be to cut the fingers off at the first knuckle. It’s a painful surgery and can often leave cats struggling with walking and balancing, takes away their primary means of defense and has even been demonstrated by studies to leave them with other physical and behavioral issues such as back pain, increased aggression and litter box avoidance.

“It’s said that a society can be judged by the way it treats its animals, and by allowing this practice to continue, we have not been setting a good example,” said State Senator Michael N. Gianaris, the Queens Democrat and chamber’s deputy leader. His sentiment was echoed by his Republican counterpart, State Senator James Tedisco, “Animals give us unconditional love,” he remarked. “I think that this is the most nonpartisan day we have in the New York State Legislature.”

Once Mr. Cuomo signs the bill into law, New York will become the first state to ban the declawing of cats for non-medical reasons. The bill does allow, however, for cats to be declawed for “therapeutic purposes” which compromise the cat’s health but clearly states that “therapeutic purpose does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat.”

Anyone who breaks the law and declaws a cat for any other reason than the well-being of the feline would be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.

Three other states, New Jersey, West Virginia and Rhode Island, are also currently considering laws that would make declawing illegal. To this day, though, only Denver, Colorado and eight cities in California currently outlaw the practice. We can only hope that New York’s willingness to stand up for those who have no voice of their own will inspire other states, and eventually the whole nation, to end this barbaric practice. Currently, England, Israel and 40 other countries have banned declawing cats.

Opponents of the ban, including the New York Veterinary Medical Society, claim that declawing is an important alternative to re-homing or euthanasia for cats who use their claws destructively, or if the cat’s guardians suffer from a disease that would make getting scratched dangerous, such as hemophilia, diabetes or a compromised immune system.

The Center for Disease Control, however, does not recommend declawing for people with compromised immune systems. Instead, they suggest avoiding rough play with cats and “situations in which scratches are likely”.

Scratching Is Important to Cats

Here at The Cultured Cat we support the Raw Cat and believe there are other ways in which to keep yourself and your furniture safe from cat scratches that don’t involve the surgical amputation of your cat’s paws, which is why we support legislation that puts animal welfare first. Scratching is an important activity for cats that helps to exercise their muscles, relieve stress and communicate with other cats in the household through pheromone marking. There are other more humane alternatives to dealing with scratching within the home.

Offer Places to Scratch

Instead, we suggest offering cats places they are allowed to comfortably scratch, such as appropriate scratching posts and boards. Each cat is different and you’ll have to figure out what works best for you cat. If your cat likes to scratch the sides of the couch, a vertical scratching post that won’t fall over when your cat tries to use it may help curb scratching in unwanted areas. You can also use a couch and furniture leg guard to give them a place they can scratch while protecting your furniture. If your cat prefers to scratch the carpet or the top of the couch, a scratcher that lays on the floor will probably work best for them.

Keep Your Cat’s Claws Clipped

It’s also important to keep your cat’s nails well trimmed. While some cat owners can find it challenging to trim their cat’s nails, cutting them a few at a time will get the job done and be less traumatic for both yourself and your cat. Claw caps can also be a great way of keeping yourself and your furniture safe from more aggressive cats.

The Importance of Play

Cats often become destructive or can display aggressive behavior due to a lack of stimulating activity during the day. If you want to keep your cat from using their claws destructively, then you have to make sure they have an opportunity to use them the right way. Playing with your cat daily, especially with toys that they can hunt, grab and use their claws on, will help get their destructive energy out in a way that is both human-approved and yet still satisfies their instinctual needs.