Household products
Is essential oils toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as aromatherapy oils, diffusers, reed diffusers, liquid potpourri
Cats
Highly toxicDogs
ToxicConcentrated essential oils can poison pets through the skin, by licking or when inhaled. Cats are especially vulnerable because they can’t break down many of the compounds in them.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Move your pet to fresh air.
- If oil is on the fur, wash it off with washing-up liquid and water.
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine.
- Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing.
- Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Drooling, vomiting
- Watery eyes and nose, coughing or wheezing
- Wobbliness and weakness
- Tremors
- Low body temperature
- Burns in the mouth (liquid potpourri)
- Liver damage (cats)
How much is dangerous
A few drops of concentrated tea tree oil on the skin have poisoned cats and small dogs. Liquid potpourri can burn the mouth.
Keeping it safe
- Never apply essential oils to pets unless a vet recommends a specific product
- Keep bottles and reed diffusers out of reach
- Don’t use diffusers in small, closed rooms with cats
- Choose unscented cleaning products
The details
Essential oils are marketed as natural and gentle, which makes them easy to underestimate. They are hugely concentrated: a single drop can hold the equivalent of large amounts of plant. Cats lack some liver enzymes that break down phenols, so even skin exposure can build up to toxic levels.
Passive diffusers in a well-ventilated room are unlikely to poison a healthy pet, but cats with asthma can react to them. If your pet shows breathing signs, stop using the oil.
Questions owners ask
Is essential oils toxic to cats?
Yes — highly toxic.
Is essential oils toxic to dogs?
Yes — toxic.
How much is dangerous?
A few drops of concentrated tea tree oil on the skin have poisoned cats and small dogs. Liquid potpourri can burn the mouth.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Move your pet to fresh air. If oil is on the fur, wash it off with washing-up liquid and water. Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine. Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing. Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts