Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / October 2007

...........essential oils in general aren't good for cats.
http://crucible.org/oils_using.htm
Because essential oils are soluble with the lipid membrane of cell walls,
they have an unmatched ability to penetrate the skin and disperse throughout
the whole body in minutes. The pure essential oils listed on this website,
with the exception of those containing the natural chemical constituent
known as "phenol," (such as cinnamon, clove, oregano) may be applied "neat"
(undiluted) directly on the skin. Oils containing phenol can cause an
irritation or burning sensation. Because many commercially available
essential oils have been adulterated with solvents and/or man-made
chemicals, you should not apply essential oils directly to the skin, unless
you know them to be safe.

Essential Oils and Cats: A Potentially Toxic Mix
http://cats.about.com/od/housekeeping/a/aromatherapy.htm
Toxicity in cats can occur very quickly, through internal or external
application, or over a longer period of time, through repeated or continuous
inhalation of essential oils, but either way, it can lead to serious liver
damage or even death.

Phenol and Phenolic compounds
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1934&articleid=2243
The oral toxic dose of phenol is about 0.22 gram per pound of body weight in
the dog; less in the cat.
Concentrations of 1% cause dermal burns, and concentrations above 5% cause
oral burns.

buglady
take out the dog before replying