Are Essential Oils Actually Safe Around Cats?

In this guide

Adapted from a Rover.com feature by Emilie Bess, drawing on veterinary sources. Not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

Essential oils have become a fixture of modern life — in shampoos, hand sanitisers, air fresheners, and just about every category of cosmetics. Naturally, plenty of pet owners wonder whether these aromatic oils might benefit their cat too, or whether they're better left out of a feline household altogether.

The real risk of essential oils around cats

Cats face notably higher risk from essential oils than dogs do. Holistic veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney, based in Los Angeles, explains that while dogs are also sensitive to the toxic effects of essential oils, cats are considerably more so, for two main reasons.

First, cats are meticulous self-groomers, licking anything that sticks to their fur or skin — which puts them at greater risk of ingesting oils that were only ever meant to be applied topically. Dr. Mahaney notes that in every feline case he's seen or been made aware of, the reaction traced back to a cat orally ingesting an essential oil after it had been applied to their skin.

Once ingested, essential oils can trigger a bad reaction via phenols — the molecules responsible for many essential oils' distinctive aromas. Thymol (found in thyme and oregano) is a powerful anti-microbial; eugenol (found in cinnamon and cloves) is widely used as a dental anesthetic and antiseptic. Both are phenols, and both are dangerous for cats specifically because cats lack the enzymes needed to break phenols down properly.

That same enzyme family is also responsible for metabolising aspirin, acetaminophen, and Rimadyl — all drugs commonly given to dogs and humans, but never to cats. Dr. Mahaney explains that reduced metabolism in cats can lead to a build-up of toxic metabolites, which negatively affects liver and whole-body health. In short: cats can be quickly overwhelmed by phenol exposure and can suffer genuine toxic effects as a result.

Signs of oral exposure to essential oils, according to Dr. Mahaney, include:

• Salivation
• Vomiting
• Stool changes
• Reduced appetite and water consumption
• Lethargy

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, cats can also develop respiratory distress from inhaling essential oils in the air — most commonly with nebulizing or ultrasonic diffusers, which create fine microdroplets of oil. This was exactly what happened in a widely reported 2018 case, where a cat became ill after her owner used eucalyptus oil to treat a head cold. Dr. Mahaney warns that a cat with pre-existing asthma or another respiratory condition faces an even greater risk from inhaled oils.

Signs of respiratory distress from essential oil exposure include:

• Watery nose or eyes
• Coughing
• Lethargy
• Nausea leading to drooling and/or vomiting
• Difficulty breathing — labored breathing, fast breathing, panting, coughing, or wheezing

If you suspect your cat is showing symptoms related to essential oil exposure, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is a good first call. Dr. Mahaney recommends starting a case file, since a consulting board-certified veterinary toxicologist will be best placed to advise on the specific health concerns involved.

Is there ever a safe way to use essential oils with cats?

If you're still considering essential oils for your cat's wellness, Dr. Mahaney's advice is to consult a veterinarian with relevant training and experience first — holistic vets in particular tend to have this training, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's VetFinder tool can help locate one. Your regular family vet is also a perfectly good resource for essential-oil-related questions.

Oils to avoid entirely

Based on current guidance from sources including the ASPCA, veterinary schools such as Texas A&M, and professional bodies like the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the general recommendation is to avoid essential oils on or around cats altogether unless your vet specifically advises otherwise. This includes, but isn't limited to:

• Basil
• Citrus oils (bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, tangerine)
• Birch
• Cinnamon
• Clary sage
• Clove
• Cypress
• Dill
• Douglas fir
• Eucalyptus
• Fennel
• Green mandarin
• Melaleuca (tea tree)
• Oregano
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Pettigrain
• Roman chamomile
• Sweet birch
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Spearmint
• White fir
• Wintergreen
• Vetiver
• Ylang ylang

The bottom line: don't experiment with essential oils on your cat at home without explicit guidance from a veterinarian.

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.