An active ingredient in Witch Hazel is Hamamelis virginiana.
Although this ingredient seems harmless to cats, it could potentially cause irritation. Some animals may become physically abusive and bite off chunks of the irritating powder.
You must keep Witch Hazel away from the eyes and mouth of your cat. So, is witch hazel safe for cats?
Witch hazel is not safe for cats because of the active ingredient Hamamelis virginiana (or witch hazel).
Let’s dive into this issue now!
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Cats?
Witch hazel is dangerous and ineffective for cats since they contain an irritating component called isopropyl alcohol.
Cats are quite good at keeping themselves clean and healthy; therefore, they are generally unaffected by teeth whitening products.
Can Witch Hazel Be Used on Cats?
You should not use witch hazel on cats since their skin is quite sensitive and they may suffer from redness and irritation on the application of witch hazel.
Because cats are so sensitive to chemicals, I would never use anything on them that contains isopropyl alcohol.
Benzalkonium chloride is an ingredient present in some shampoos for cats and is a type of antibacterial agent.
You would never consider putting hydrogen peroxide on your cat so why use witch hazel.
Everything on the outside ends up on the inside — including the ingredients in shampoos, lotions, and topical ointments.
Cats also lack crucial liver enzymes that help in the breakdown and removal of substances.
Can I Use Witch Hazel to Treat Acne in My Cat?
Witch hazel should not be used to treat acne in your cat since it is an irritating substance and may cause further skin irritations.
Witch hazel contains an active ingredient called Hamamelis virginiana which is a potential allergen in cats.
What If My Cat Licked Witch Hazel?
The witch hazel plant, as well as teas made from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel tree, have been used medicinally for centuries.
Witch Hazel toxicity in cats is highly unlikely since the only component of witch hazel that cats would consume would be a small volume of the astringent and when applied to the skin, witch hazel causes mild irritation to cat skin.
For Cat Dermatitis, Use Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is calming for cat dermatitis and is available as a spray or cream, applied to affected areas or sprayed on the cat’s fur.
Used topically for mild skin irritations, it’s safe to apply witch hazel to a cat’s irritated skin or coat if your veterinarian recommends it.
However, it’s not recommended to apply it to the eyes or mouth of your cat and should be used with caution if the cat is suffering from severe dermatitis or infections of the skin or eyes. Because applying it to them could worsen or trigger further irritation.
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Cat’s Ears?
Witch hazel is a soothing herb that may assist in the treatment of feline ear infections.
Some are better than others in cat ear infections and witch hazel is not one of them.
Using an eyedropper, apply several drops of witch hazel to your cat’s ear canal, being careful not to get any in your cat’s eyes.
Ear mites are small but strong, causing itching and ear inflammation in cats.
Your holistic or conventional veterinarian should inspect your cat’s ears with an otoscope for ear mites and prescribe medication if necessary.
Treatment should begin as soon as signs appear to prevent the infestation from spreading to the rest of cat’s body.
Before using any treatment, check the label to make sure it is suitable for cats as not all essential oils are safe to use for cats.
If your cat won’t allow you access to her ear canal, you could try putting the witch hazel on a cotton swab and gently massaging it onto the ear or you could get your veterinarian.
Can Witch Hazel Be Used to Treat Cat’s Ears?
You may clean the ear canal with a cotton swab, but be very careful not to push the swab too far inside the ear canal or you may damage the ear drum.
Instead of a traditional astringent or toner, witch hazel helps nourish the skin by shrinking and closing open pores and tightening the tissue of your cat’s face and throat.
While witch hazel may help with skin irritation, such as eczema or psoriasis, it should not replace medical treatment for these skin conditions.
If you’re using witch hazel for the first time, try a test patch on your arm or wrist to check for any negative side effects before applying to your cat’s face and throat.
Ear infections are the more common ear problem among cats.
With an eye dropper, apply witch hazel to the ear and gently massage the ear to distribute the product evenly.
Witch hazel is a derivative of the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant and contains tannins, high levels of antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Witch hazel may be used instead or in addition to other treatments, such as antibiotic ear drops or washing out the ear.
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Cat’s Eyes?
It is not recommended to clean out a cat’s ears frequently as this can lead to infection and can cause scarring to the ears if it is done frequently.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Nutella?
Conclusion
In conclusion, although Witch Hazel seems harmless, it is not safe for your feline friends.
While using witch hazel topically on cats is harmless and may help with skin irritations, certain cat breeds can be more sensitive to certain ingredients than others.
Witch hazel should be diluted with water before use on cats and should not be used on kittens or pregnant or lactating cats.
It has a propensity of promoting a greasy coat and can cause itching in some cats.
