Essential oils can cause organ damage in pets if they are very concentrated. As with anything, you want to educate yourself (search the internet, get a book) prior to using and always ventilate well. I believe essential oils are better than chemicals however you should always read up on what you use and the ratio to which you use it because you can cause damage to your animals liver/kidneys using essential oils especially the smaller the animal which is why they say that hamsters, mice, rats, and various rodents should not be exposed to pine or cedar litter rather you should use aspen which has little or no aromatic oil. Even newspaper shavings can be detrimental if they stick it in their mouth.

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Yes, there are many alternatives to lavender. First, almost all essential oils fight bacteria, but some are better than others, and some you don't want anywhere near food. You can also use vinegar or lemon juice on your cutting board, & they'll disinfect it too. If you're allergic to lavender, do keep away from it! If you get hives (I get a rash), the best thing I've found to get rid of it is chamomile. I just get the dried flowers & make a tea out of it--aprox 1/3 flower to water--and just steep it in the freshly boiled water. Then I cool it and mist it from a spray bottle (it can be splashed on too). It lasts longer if refrigerated, & if it has lemon, vodka, &/or honey (as they're natural preservatives & you don't need much of any). I can even use lavender when in combo w/chamomile, but I don't think you should at ALL. YES, essential oils are harmful to animals, particularly cats, but putting it on your cutting board & furniture, or yourself, won't hurt them unless they're extremely sensitive. There are recipes for animals that work well, that even have you give them internally. BUT these are created by people who know what they're doing. Before you EVER acquaint your pet with them, like on their bed, really research it first. And even then, keep a good eye on them to see if they seem to be doing OK. Essential oils are amazing! But there's ALWAYS a natural alternative. Research more than one website on the same subject, get books from the library,

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Can anyone answer the toxic to cats though? I have 9.

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I love Lavender, but don't use it because I've read that it is toxic to cats. Does anyone know if this is so?

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I seem to be allergic to lavendar. whenever it comes in contact w/ my skin, I break out in hives. If I breathe it, I get like a sore throat/'scratchy' chest(lungs). Everyone I tell this to thinks I'm making it up because ' how can you be allergic to lavendar? I've never heard of that!'. I know I'm not the only one, because my neice has the same thing. We also seem to be allergic to kiwis and mangos. Are there alternatives to lavendar? I'm a germaphobe and trying to get away from lysol, but don't know how. I've made a solution of vinegar and hemp/eucalyptus oil. It seems to work better on mold than the commercial stuff I've used in the past, but I'm still terrified of germs! Any suggestions? I am also looking for a naturally antibacterial soap to help me get away from using triclosan every 2 minutes.(contamination/cross-contamination issues. It doesn't help my IBS, though! Ahh!)

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Looks useful

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We use a variation on the Vinegar of the Four Thieves formula everywhere that we previously used disinfectants (door knobs, countertops, etc.). www.ForMyKidsOnline.com

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Clear essences like Lavender and Eucalyptus won't stain, but others like chamomile, cedar and orange could easily leave a color trace...you can always test by putting a drop on a tissue and see if there is a color remaining after the essence dries.

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Eucalyptus is my first choice when I am looking for an essential oil that is also antibacterial. According to Jean Valnet, MD " a spray solution containing 2% Eucalyptus will kill 70% of staphylococci. Just be sure to shake your spray bottle each time before use, oil and water do not mix.

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Using herbs and EO's have become the way I clean, bathe, disinfect, did use for my pet for years now. Not only are they safer, they do the best job and the scent in the house is an added bonus. Air freshener sprays can't hold a candle to them. Its much better, cheaper and multi-purpose in the long run they can't be beat.

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