Is Burning Sage Safe for Cats?

Medicinal and Spiritual Uses of Sage

• Sage is often used in aromatherapy or smudging, which is the act of burning sacred herbs to dissipate the negative energy thought to be located in a person or space. Sweetgrass and cedar are also used, but sage is among the most widely used. It is considered to be antibacterial and is used for treating sore throats.

  Indigenous people in the United States have long used dried white sage leaves, packed in bundles, for smudging. The practice has also been found in ancient Babylon, where the smudge was believed to heal and protect humans both physically and spiritually; it was also used to ward off insects so crops would flourish.

  Today sage is used by indigenous and non-indigenous people alike for purifying and protecting. It is found in several forms: dried leaves (white sage), essential oil (clary sage) and incense. The oil is placed in a burner or diffuser and heated, while the leaves and incense are actually lit, creating smoke.

Toxic Plants for Cats

• The list of plants that are toxic to cats is quite extensive. Sage is not on this list; however, anything more than a brief chew on the plant can have adverse effects, causing diarrhea or problems with the cat's central nervous system. Persons who grow sage and other plants for personal use (including burning) should be aware of the risks.

  Chewing on leaves or blooms is, of course, not the same as inhaling smoke. Humans can suffer the same effects as cats and other pets from prolonged breathing of the particles borne by smoke (including that from incense). Cancer, asthma and dermatitis are among the adverse effects of smoke inhalation. Smaller animals, such as cats or birds, may feel the effects of sage smoke from smudging more strongly.

Burning Sage and Other Items in the Home

• Sage for burning or smudging in the home may be of more than one type and may be in the form of leaves or essential oils. Cats should never consume these oils: their body cannot excrete (metabolize) them and they can build up to a toxic level. Cats have a thinner skin, they can absorb aromas more readily. The feline sense of smell also can be irritated by the intense fragrance.

  Many people sustain that sage smudging cleanses away negative energy and allows positive energy to occupy the home. Nevertheless, burning any substance releases smoke and particles into the air, so some sources suggest removing the companion animals to another part of the house or opening windows if smudging is done frequently.

  Incense can have a calming effect, but there are carcinogens in the smoke and the respiratory tract (including the nose, mouth and throat) can be at risk for developing malignancies. If sage incense is used, it should be burned where air can circulate or an ionizer can be used.

Common Sense

• The use of sage has cultural and spiritual significance. While the plant itself, if ingested in moderation, may not create adverse effects, the burning of substances in the home can. Humans can use common sense for all residents of a home to ensure the materials used for burning sage do not produce a toxic amount of smoke. They can also ensure that these materials are not left where a cat or other companion animal will be tempted to eat them. Our feline friends can be quite curious!