Essential oils and cats: what cat owners should know
Donna SmithMany people enjoy using essential oils in homes shared with cats. That does not mean every oil should be treated in the same way, or that one set of precautions will suit every animal.
The risk depends on the oil, its concentration, how it is used, how long the cat is exposed, and the cat's age and health. Some oils have recognised animal safety concerns. For others, reliable cat-specific information may be limited or unavailable.
Essential Oils QLD is working to provide clearer pet-awareness information across our range. We do not currently have complete, product-specific pet information for every oil and blend we stock. Where no specific information is shown, this should not be taken to mean that the product is either safe or unsafe for cats.
How cats can be exposed
Cats can come into contact with essential oils even when the oil has not been applied directly to them.
Exposure may happen when a cat:
- breathes vapour or airborne droplets from a diffuser
- walks through spilled oil or diffuser liquid
- gets oil on its fur, skin or paws
- grooms residue from its coat
- licks a diffuser, bottle or contaminated surface
- drinks water containing essential oil
Active diffusers, including ultrasonic and nebulising diffusers, may release tiny oil droplets into the air. Those droplets can settle on fur and nearby surfaces, where a cat may later swallow them while grooming.
Can you use essential oils in a home with cats?
Many people use essential oils in homes with pets. The sensible approach is to consider the particular oil, the method of use and the animal sharing the space.
There is no universal number of drops or diffusion time that can be guaranteed safe for every cat. An oil that appears to cause no problem for one cat should not automatically be assumed suitable for another.
Before using a diffuser around a cat, speak with your veterinarian if your cat is very young, elderly, pregnant, unwell, or has a respiratory or liver condition.
If you choose to use a diffuser:
- keep the room well ventilated
- make sure your cat can leave the room freely
- avoid running it in a small or enclosed space
- keep it away from food, water, bedding and litter trays
- prevent your cat from reaching the diffuser or its liquid
- stop using it if your cat appears uncomfortable or unwell
A scent that seems mild to you may still be strong for a cat. Watch your cat's behaviour rather than relying only on how the room smells to you.
Do not apply essential oils directly to cats
Unless your veterinarian has given you specific instructions, do not place pure or diluted essential oils on a cat's:
- skin
- fur
- paws
- collar
- bedding
Cats groom frequently, so anything placed on their coat or paws may be swallowed. Essential oils may also be absorbed through the skin.
Oils associated with recognised risks
A number of essential oils have been associated with poisoning or adverse reactions in cats and other animals. These include:
- tea tree
- eucalyptus
- pennyroyal
- citrus oils
- cinnamon
- clove
- peppermint
- pine
- wintergreen
This is not a complete list. An oil being absent from this list does not prove that it is safe for cats.
Blends need the same care because they may contain several essential oils or other concentrated aromatic ingredients.
What our pet-awareness information means
Where we have reliable information about a recognised risk, we may include a specific pet warning on the relevant product page.
Where a product carries general pet-awareness guidance, this means that no specific safety assurance is being made. Customers should still prevent ingestion and skin contact, store the product securely and take care when diffusing.
Some products do not yet have product-specific pet information on our website. We stock a broad range, and reliable information is not equally available for every single oil and blend. We would rather state that clearly than guess or label a product as pet friendly without adequate support.
The absence of a pet warning does not mean a product has been assessed as safe for cats.
Signs that your cat may have been exposed
Symptoms vary according to the oil, concentration and type of exposure. Possible warning signs include:
- drooling
- vomiting
- coughing or wheezing
- watery eyes or nasal discharge
- difficulty breathing
- weakness or unusual sleepiness
- poor balance or coordination
- tremors or seizures
- collapse
Your cat does not need to show every symptom before you seek advice. Some signs may appear soon after exposure, while others can take longer to become noticeable.
What to do if exposure occurs
If your cat has swallowed essential oil, had oil applied to its skin or fur, walked through a spill, or developed symptoms after exposure:
- Move your cat away from the source.
- Prevent further licking or grooming where possible.
- Do not induce vomiting.
- Do not apply another oil, detergent or home remedy unless a veterinarian tells you to.
- Contact your veterinarian or the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline promptly.
Practical ways to reduce the risk
- Store bottles in a high or locked cupboard.
- Keep diffuser liquid and water out of reach.
- Clean spills straight away.
- Do not leave an operating diffuser unattended.
- Do not diffuse oils in an enclosed room occupied by your cat.
- Do not apply oils directly to your cat.
- Do not add essential oils to your cat's food or water.
- Ask your veterinarian before using oils around a cat with a health condition.
Does purity make an essential oil safer for cats?
No. Purity describes the composition or quality of an oil. It does not mean the oil is safe for animals.
A pure essential oil is still a concentrated botanical extract. Some naturally occurring compounds may irritate or harm an animal, depending on the oil, dose and method of exposure.
Terms such as "natural", "pure" and "free from synthetic fragrance" should not be read as meaning "safe for cats".
Should essential oils be used to treat cats?
Do not use essential oils to treat anxiety, fleas, skin conditions, infections, breathing problems or other health concerns unless your veterinarian has specifically recommended the treatment.
Essential Oils QLD retails essential oil products for their labelled human uses. We do not recommend using these products as veterinary treatments.
A balanced approach
Having a cat does not automatically mean you cannot own or enjoy essential oils. It does mean you should choose how and where you use them with care.
Avoid direct application, prevent ingestion, store bottles securely, ventilate the room and make sure your cat can move away from the scent.
Check the individual product page for any pet-awareness information we currently hold. If no product-specific information appears, do not assume the oil has been assessed as safe or unsafe. Speak with your veterinarian if you need advice about your own cat.
