Are essential oils safe for cats?

Are essential oils safe for cats? Many are not. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, and cats are more sensitive to them than dogs are. Pet Poison Helpline describes cats as by far the species most sensitive to essential oils.

The risk depends on the oil, how concentrated it is and how your cat was exposed. A drop of pure oil on the fur is far more dangerous than a faint scent in the next room. This guide covers which oils cause the most concern, how diffusers compare with skin contact, and what to do if your cat was exposed.

Why are cats so sensitive to essential oils?

Essential oils are absorbed quickly through the gut, the skin, the lungs and the lining of the mouth and nose. Once inside the body, many of their compounds have to be broken down by the liver.

Cats are short of a liver enzyme called glucuronyl transferase, which the body uses to clear phenols and similar compounds found in some oils. So those compounds build up instead of being cleared. It’s the same reason cats are so easily poisoned by some human medications.

Grooming makes it worse. Oil that lands on the fur gets absorbed through the skin and then licked off and swallowed. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that kittens, very young cats and cats with liver disease are even more sensitive.

Which essential oils are most dangerous for cats?

VCA Animal Hospitals and Merck Veterinary Manual name these oils as concerns for cats. Merck notes that tea tree oil is the most commonly reported essential oil poisoning in pets.

This list isn’t complete. Any concentrated oil can harm a cat, and many products blend several oils. Strength matters too. ASPCA Animal Poison Control notes that as few as seven or eight drops of concentrated tea tree oil may cause problems in pets, and Pet Poison Helpline warns that even a few drops can cause severe poisoning.

In a study of 106 cats and 337 dogs exposed to pure tea tree oil, 89% of the animals had it put on them on purpose. Younger and smaller cats were more likely to become seriously ill. Merck also warns that “natural” flea and tick repellents can contain essential oils, so check the label and ask your vet about flea treatments made for cats.

Is an essential oil diffuser safe around cats?

It depends on the type of diffuser and where your cat is. Merck Veterinary Manual separates them into two kinds:

• Passive diffusers, such as reed diffusers and candles, don’t release droplets of oil. Unless one is knocked over, the main risk is irritation of the airways.
• Active diffusers, such as ultrasonic and nebulizing diffusers, spray tiny droplets of oil into the air. These can settle on your cat’s fur, where they’re absorbed through the skin or licked off.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control says running a diffuser for a short time in a space your cat can’t get into is unlikely to cause a problem. It advises avoiding diffusers altogether for pets with a history of breathing problems. Merck lists asthma, airborne allergies, chronic bronchitis and exposure to secondhand smoke as reasons to avoid them.

Signs from breathing in oils include watery eyes, a runny nose, drooling, vomiting, coughing, wheezing and fast or labored breathing.

Is liquid potpourri dangerous for cats?

Yes. Liquid potpourri, including simmer pots and some plug-in air fresheners, can contain essential oils plus detergents or other corrosive ingredients that can burn. Cornell University’s veterinary college notes it can be absorbed through the skin as well as by mouth.

VCA Animal Hospitals explains that cats are often exposed by tasting potpourri as it simmers or by walking through a spill from a leaking or overturned container. Only a few licks, or a small amount on the skin, may be harmful. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, and red or burned lips, gums or tongue.

What are the signs of essential oil poisoning in cats?

Signs can start within minutes to hours. In the tea tree oil study, they appeared within 2 to 12 hours and lasted up to 3 days. Watch for:

• the smell of oil on the fur, skin, breath or in vomit
• drooling or pawing at the mouth
• vomiting
• low energy or weakness
• wobbly walking or trouble standing
• muscle tremors or seizures
• trouble breathing
• redness or burns on the lips, gums, tongue or skin
• feeling cold to the touch

Severe cases can lead to liver or kidney failure, so your vet may run blood tests to check them.

My cat was exposed to essential oils: what should I do?

1. Get your cat to fresh air. Turn off any diffuser and open windows.
2. Call your vet or a pet poison line. ASPCA Animal Poison Control and Pet Poison Helpline both answer 24 hours a day and charge a consultation fee.
3. Wash oil off the fur if advised. VCA recommends liquid dishwashing detergent and lukewarm water, and removing your cat’s collar. Don’t use solvents or cut the fur. If your cat won’t tolerate a bath, let the clinic do it.
4. Don’t make your cat vomit or give activated charcoal at home. Oils can be breathed into the lungs when a cat vomits, and VCA warns these steps may make things worse.
5. Bring the product. VCA suggests sealing the bottle or packaging in a container and taking it to the clinic.

Use our 24-hour vet finder if your clinic is closed, or our should I go to the vet? check if you’re unsure how fast to act.

How do vets treat essential oil poisoning in cats?

There’s no antidote. Vets wash off any remaining oil and treat the signs: fluids, medicine for nausea, liver support, seizure control and oxygen if needed. Your vet chooses the medicines and doses. Blood tests check the liver and kidneys. VCA notes that with early, supportive treatment, most cats survive. Emergency care can be costly, so see what an emergency vet costs for cats.

How can I use essential oils more safely with cats at home?

• Never put concentrated essential oils on your cat, and ask your vet before using any herbal product on them.
• Store bottles closed and out of reach, and never leave open oils or simmering potpourri unattended.
• Diffuse only in a room your cat can’t enter, then air the room out before letting your cat back in.
• Place any diffuser where it can’t be knocked over.
• Skip diffusers entirely if your cat has asthma or another breathing problem.
• Wash your hands after using oils before you stroke your cat.

Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than we do, so a scent that seems light to you may be overwhelming to them. For other risks around the home, see our guide to household toxins and our is it safe for cats? guides.

Written by the CatsMed Team from the sources above. This guide isn’t reviewed by a veterinarian and isn’t a substitute for one. See how we research.