If you’ve ever been near a female cat on heat, you know the challenge of keeping her contained and making sure males don’t mate with her.
When she goes on heat, her body produces a scent that males love so much. The moment they catch a whiff, however far they are, they will come looking for the princess.
On the other hand, the queen will also try and do anything to mate with males.
Every part of her body tells her to look for a mating buddy and reproduce. It is no doubt a very difficult time for everyone at home.
Fortunately, you can help your female during this traumatic time in her life.
If you have no plans of breeding her and haven’t spayed her for whatever reason, your best bet is to mask the smell.
There are different ways of doing this, one of which is applying an essential oil to cancel the odor and trick the males into thinking she’s not on heat. Some of the oils also calm her and get her to de-stress.
Here is a list of 8 essential oils for cats on heat
Why Use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are called so because of their ‘essence” or fragrance.
They are concentrated extracts from different parts of plants and have very strong aromas.
When your cat is on heat and her body is on overdrive when it comes to scent production, having an essential oil with an even stronger smell can deter males from coming near her.
Additionally, some of these oils are also great for their aromatherapy benefits. They have a calming effect.
A cat on heat is anything but calm. Her sexual energy is over the roof.
The hormones in her body make her anxious, nervous, and unsettled.
A quality essential oil can help her relax a bit.
Now to the list of best essential oils for cats on heat…
1. Eucalyptus
First up we have the aromatic eucalyptus, an essential oil derived from the leaves of the famous eucalyptus tree also known as gum tree.
Most pet products including shampoos, flea spot-ons, sprays, and ear wipes include the oil as an active ingredient. Reason? It is a great deodorizer, insect-repellent, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
When applied to a cat on heat, you can trust it to mask the smell so no tomcat comes to mate with the queen.
Eucalyptus oil has also been shown to relax humans and reduce feelings of anxiety. This is because it has eucalyptol, a chemical that contains anti-anxiety properties.
The same benefit can be transferred to your anxious kitty as well. If you do use the oil, choose very diluted forms as it can be toxic to your pet in high concentrations.
2. Wintergreen
With a crisp, minty fragrance, the wintergreen essential oil may also help a female cat on heat.
Like eucalyptus oil, it is used to mask odors among other uses. Humans use it to deodorize rugs and freshen their homes.
You can also use it to keep the scent of a cat on heat at bay.
Unfortunately, this oil contains methyl salicylate, which can harm your feline buddy if ingested.
Follow the guidelines for safe dilution.
3. Lavender
For thousands of millennia, people have used lavender oil to do a plethora of things.
From keeping the home fresh and pleasant-smelling to calming a distressed soul to repelling insects and healing wounds, the oil can do it all.
It comes with a distinct floral aroma that smells heavenly. It is bound to overpower any scent coming off of your cat.
In aromatherapy, lavender oil is believed to promote wellness and calmness. It can work to settle your cat to a greater extent.
4. Sweet Marjoram
Sweet marjoram or simply marjoram is an aromatic herb with a pine or citrus flavor.
The oil has several benefits including inhibiting fungal and bacterial activity, adding magnesium and potassium to the body, disinfecting surfaces, and more.
For your cat, it is a powerful anti-anxiety product. If she is going crazy because of the sexual energy raging in her body, apply some of the oil on her and watch her quiet down a little.
5. Camphor
Camphor is an essential oil extracted from the wood of the camphor tree.
It has a strong taste and scent that almost resembles that of eucalyptus oil.
When you apply it at the backside of your cat on heat, it overrides her existing smell to deter suitors.
It also has excellent antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
You can utilize these benefits for you or the pet when the time comes.
Camphor, in high concentrations, can do more harm than good. Be careful and use very small amounts.
If possible, blend in a carrier oil with the mixture to make it safe.
6. Bergamot
Also called Kaffir lime, Bergamot is famous for its powerful effects against ear infections caused by either bacteria or yeast.
It also has stress reduction benefits and can relieve anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
Your active cat on heat needs these things more than anything when hormones drive her up the wall.
Bergamot has a sweet and sunny citrus flavor and will get male cats thinking the female is not on heat.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary has a powerful, fresh herbal smell that can be considered to be camphoraceous.
Although you enjoy the scent, a male cat doesn’t. If he catches a whiff of it on a female cat on heat, he is likely to walk away.
The oil also has calming benefits and may ease stress, helping a distressed cat stay put.
Rosemary is safe for your cat as long you use it in a concentration of no more than 1% of the entire product.
Related Post: Is Rosemary Essential Oil Safe for Cats?
8. Peppermint
When you blend the spearmint and watermint plants, you end up with peppermint.
Oil derived from the plant is a popular ingredient in soaps, mouthwashes, foods, and cosmetics.
Your cat can benefit from its stress-reduction and mood-elevation properties.
Since it has a strong odor, you can also use it to mask the scent and reduce the chance of her attracting males.
Parting Thoughts
There it is – 8 essential oils for cats in heat.
Watching your kitty pace around trying to make sense of what is happening to her can be stressful.
By applying an essential oil, you can help her relax and keep males away from her.
You might also want to utilize other methods of masking the smell including using kitty diapers, bathing the cat frequently, and taking her for walks to expend the energy (on a harness and leash of course).
After the heat cycle has passed, consider having her spayed to solve the issue once and for all.
We have several articles on heat issues in cats. Feel free to sample some to learn more on how to handle your kitty during heat seasons:
17 Herbal Remedies for Cats in Heat
Do Cats Stay in Heat After Mating?
Do Female Cats In Heat Get Attracted To Male Humans?
How to Stop a Cat in Heat from Meowing (9 Simple Ways)
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Hi! I am Eleanor Price. I started this website after my cat, Louie, almost died from a case of botulism (a type of food poisoning often caused by bacteria that grow on food items). Turned out that my cat’s diet was the problem. I have made it my duty to provide the best information and recommendations about everything cat lovers need to know about their felines’ health and wellbeing. My goal is to find the most informative content on anything feline-related and share it with fellow hardworking kitty lovers.