Herb Gardens: Safe Aromatherapy For Cats

With all the essential oil safety factors surrounding cats and essential oils, is makes sense that some pet parents choose to avoid essential oils and aromatherapy, especially with cats in the home. It just doesn’t seem worth the risk.  (To learn the facts, check out The Truth About Cats and Essential Oils).

Aromatherapy is more than just essential oils

If you’re one of those overcautious pet parents (or even if you’re not,) I have good news for you. Hydrosols, herbs, and dried plants are other forms of aromatic plants that are safe and effective to use with all animals, including cats. These gentle botanicals are also safe for kittens and puppies, sensitive dogs, small furry pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, even birds reptiles.

(To learn more about hydrosols, check out Hydrosols 101.) 

How do dried herbs help animals? 

Essential oils come from plants, and plants can be dried. In their dried form they’re still aromatic and have the similar beneficial properties as essential oils. It’s just a different form!

For example, German chamomile. As an essential oil, it’s safe to use with cats when diluted appropriately. But it’s also available as dried flowers. Offering dried chamomile flowers can help calm nerves, aid digestion, reduce pain and inflammation.

All this big Tom cat needed is to inhale chamomile from a baggy and he settled into deep sleep. (A baggy isn’t the recommended way to offer herbs, but it worked for this family.)

Herb Gardens are a fun way to offer dried plants to cats.

In an Herb Garden, cats interact with dried herbs however they choose. They might sit or lay next to the herbs to take in the aroma, or roll around on them. And of course, they can walk away if they're not interested.

For example, Delilah explored the Herb Garden her "mom" set up for her in their living room. Each cloth has a different herb on it. Delilah was offered herbs for anxiety. 

Watch Delilah’s first time strolling through an herb garden, checking out chamomile flowers, valerian root, rosebuds, and taking a roll on valerian root. (Valerian Root is really helpful for anxiety and conflict in multi-cat homes.)

If your cat is anxious you could also try lavender flowers. If there's a history of trauma yarrow and angelica root might help.

Herb gardens support health and enrichment for indoor cats.

Herb gardens are a wonderful way to support your cat’s physical and emotional health.  If you want to give it a try I suggest starting with valerian root, it’s very popular with cats. You could also try chamomile flowers, lavender flowers, or peppermint leaves (for digestive issues or pain). Just like essential oils, there’s an herb (or hydrosol) to support most conditions.

Just put some dried herbs on the floor and let your cat check it out. You may want to place them on a towel to make clean up easier. If you have more than one cat, it’s best to avoid a cat fight! Allow one cat at a time, or create an herb garden for each cat. 

If you try it out. Take a video. It’s fun to share and maybe you can help someone else with their fur baby.

If you have questions about using herbs or hydrosols with your pet, email me.