Terpenes, which are part of essential oils, quickly penetrate into the cat’s body with internal and external use and enter the liver.
Terpenoids and substances formed during their assimilation are often combined/associated with glucuronic acid (glucuronidation) and glycine, depending on the type of terpenoid and the type of animal.
Metabolic products formed in this way dissolve better in water and are easily excreted through the liver.
Glucuronidation is an important detoxification mechanism found in most animals but unfortunately absent in cats.
The lack of this detoxification mechanism in cats leads to a slower excretion of essential oils, and, consequently, the accumulation of products of processing of essential oils in the body and can cause toxicity in the animal.
Since essential oils are very volatile, they can enter the animal’s body through the respiratory system into the animal’s circulatory system, and from there, also into the liver.
This should be taken into account if you often use essential oils for room aromatization.
Please note that liver damage is a very slow process that can occur without visible symptoms.
Aroma Lamp Safety:
- 1. When using an aroma lamp, use as little essential oils as possible and choose those that are less volatile.
- 2. Ensure good air circulation in the room where essential oils are used.
- 3. Make sure that the animal has the opportunity to leave the room where essential oils are used.
- 4. Toxicological studies have shown that the cat’s liver needs about 48 hours to remove terpenes from the body, so try not to use aroma lamps and diffusers more than once every 2 days.
