Updated 13/06/2024
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that humans use for a variety of things, from aromatherapy and medicines to cleaning products and room sprays. But if you share your household with feline friends, you may be wondering whether cats and essential oils mix.
We’re here to answer the question “Are essential oils safe for cats?” and discuss how to ensure the well-being of your purr pals around these products.
Are essential oils safe for cats?
Vets generally recommend against the use of essential oils around cats, and according to the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA), they are a danger to all pets, especially in their concentrated form. Many contain chemicals that furry friends have difficulty metabolizing, which leads to a build-up of toxic compounds in the liver that can cause some serious health problems.
Even so, some pet parents use small amounts of what they consider to be “safe essential oils for cats” for the following:
- Repelling cat fleas
- Relaxation
- Inflammation
- Digestion
However, it’s extremely important to speak to your vet before using essential oils around cats, and they will likely recommend a safer form of treatment, licensed and safe for the purpose.
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What essential oils are safe for cats?
Unfortunately, essential oils that are safe for cats don’t really exist, and the best way to make sure your furry feline doesn’t come to any harm is by keeping them out of your household altogether.
Essential oils that are toxic to cats
Many people think it’s possible to find cat-safe essential oils – they come from plants, after all! But there’s actually a long list of essential oils that are bad for cats, here are just some of them:
- Bergamot
- Bitter almond
- Cinnamon oil
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Juniper
- Lavender oil
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Mint
- Myrrh
- Orange
- Pennyroyal oil
- Peppermint
- Pine
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Sassafras
- Sweet birch oil
- Tarragon
- Tea tree oil
- Thyme
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
- Ylang-ylang
These essential oils aren’t just found in cute little bottles; they’re also hidden in household products like paint thinner and insect repellent, so beware of what could be right under your kitty’s nose! And while they’re most toxic in their purest, undiluted form, many of the carrier oils that they’re mixed with can also be dangerous for cats.
Symptoms of essential oil poisoning in cats
Whether they’re inhaled, ingested, or have direct contact with the skin, essential oils can spell trouble for your kitty’s health. If you or your cat sitter notices any of the following symptoms, there’s a chance your furry feline is suffering from essential oil poisoning:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shaking and tremors
- Walking as if they are drunk
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Low heart rate
- Collapse
- Skin burns, redness, or sores
As essential oil poisoning can cause respiratory distress and liver failure (as well as other serious health complications), contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms or suspect your furry friend has been exposed to a toxic oil.
If you can, provide your vet with the following information:
- A list of the symptoms (no detail is too small).
- When the symptoms began.
- How your kitty cat was exposed to the oil (ingestion, inhalation, or direct skin contact).
- The amount they were exposed to.
- A sample of the oil.
- Your cat’s breed, age, size, and any health conditions they have.
How to use essential oils around cats
Speak to your vet if you decide to use essential oils in a home with cats. They may recommend taking the following precautions to keep your feline friend safe and happy:
- Keep essential oils locked away and out of reach – don’t underestimate how high your furry feline can climb.
- Wash your hands after coming into contact with essential oils of any kind.
- Avoid using products that contain essential oils.
- Dilute any essential oils you wish to use in order to lower their levels of toxicity.
- Clear up any spillages quickly.
Are essential oils safe for cats? – FAQs
Essential oil diffusers might make your home smell great, but they may cause problems for some feline friends. The vapor from diffused oils can irritate your cat’s skin, and breathing in the scent of essential oils can be harmful, especially for cats with asthma or heart disease.
If you do choose to use a diffuser in your home, make sure it’s positioned in a well-ventilated area that’s out of your furry friend’s reach – never underestimate how high they can climb!
While candles with essential oils might also fill your home with lovely scents, like diffusers, they can cause problems for purr pals with sensitive respiratory systems. When essential oils are burned, the chemical composition changes and releases particles into the air that can be toxic to cats. To keep your kitty safe, it’s best to avoid using essential oil candles in your home or at least ensure they’re used in a well-ventilated area far from where your feline friend hangs out.
Eucalyptus oil is not safe for cats as it contains compounds that can be harmful to them if ingested, inhaled, or even if it comes into contact with their skin. Symptoms of eucalyptus oil poisoning in cats include drooling, vomiting, tremors, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to eucalyptus oil, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Meet our veterinary expert, Holly
This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!
