Nobody wants to choose between smelling good and showering their beloved kitty with affection, and you don’t have to.
Cats may be known for their keen sense of smell, making them sensitive to many smells, but you can still work your way around this. With a bit of knowledge and some mindful adjustments, you can keep wearing scents around your cat without causing it any harm.
Cats & Perfume
Cats have a much more sensitive sense of smell than we do. What smells like a pleasant floral scent to us can be overwhelming, even irritating, to them. Here’s why:
- Strong scents can be overwhelming to a cat’s sense of smell.
- Certain ingredients can be harmful and toxic to cats if ingested or absorbed through their skin.
- Cats rely on scent marking to feel secure in their environment. Strong perfumes can disrupt this, potentially causing stress or anxiety.
How To Get Around This
Don’t worry. You don’t have to get rid of your entire perfume collection. Instead, go natural (ish). Opt for perfumes with simpler, more natural compositions. Fewer ingredients generally mean less potential for irritation. And always make sure to wash your clothes properly to get rid of strong scents that might otherwise cling to them.
But most importantly, avoid problematic ingredients. Steer clear of perfumes containing essential oils known to be toxic to cats. This includes (but isn’t limited to):
- Tea Tree Oil
- Citrus Oils
- Peppermint Oil
- Wintergreen Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Pennytoyal Oils
- Pine Oil
- Ylang Ylang
Lastly, consider lighter fragrance concentrations. Eau de toilettes and body sprays (also known as body mists or splashes) tend to be less concentrated than perfumes, making them a milder option.
Watch Your Cat
You might take all the right steps, but still miss something. Therefore, you must always look out for the following signs whenever you wear perfume around your cat:
- Watery eyes and/or nose
- Excessive grooming
- Hiding
- Changes in appetite
If you notice any of these signs, discontinue use of that perfume and take your cat to the vet.
Alternatives to Traditional Perfumes:
If you’re concerned about the potential impact of traditional perfumes, consider these alternatives:
- Scented lotions
- Hair mists
- Solid perfumes
Wearing perfume around cats is possible, but it requires consideration and moderation. By choosing safer scents, applying them carefully, and observing your cat’s behaviour, you can enjoy your favourite fragrances without compromising your fur baby’s well-being.
