---
title: "Essential Oils: The Hidden Dangers of Aromatherapy"
description: "Learn about the serious dangers essential oils and aromatherapy diffusers pose to cats due to feline liver metabolism and toxicity risks."
date: "2019-03-11T05:37:30Z"
author: "Just Cats Clinic"
image: "/img/e691da46"
canonical: "/essential-oils-the-hidden-dangers-of-aromatherapy/"
---

# Essential Oils: The Hidden Dangers of Aromatherapy


## What Are Essential Oils Exactly?

In recent years, essential oils have gotten more attention and become trendy for their versatile uses. Basically,
essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants and can be used for everything from aromatherapy and healing to
insecticides.

## What Makes Them Dangerous to Cats and Other Pets?

While safe for people, essential oils can be toxic to cats because of how quickly they can absorb through the mouth,
skin, or respiratory system. Cats are particularly at risk because they lack a specific enzyme in their liver that helps
metabolize and eliminate certain toxins. This deficiency makes cats more susceptible to toxicity than other species.

*Photo courtesy of Amazon*

Essential oils are also very concentrated depending on the format you are using. The most common household essential
oils are typically aromatherapy devices like passive diffusers, sprays, candles, or direct skin application. There are
four types of passive diffusers you may have around your home:

- Reed diffusers – Reed sticks soak up the oil and put its fragrance in the air
- Heat diffusers – Plug-in diffusers or candle burners that use heat to evaporate the oil into the air
- Personal evaporative diffusers – Pendants or bracelets that use airflow to diffuse the aroma
- Motorized diffusers – Use a fan to blow through a filter that has been soaked with an essential oil

There are new types of diffusers on the market called active essential oil diffusers (nebulizing and ultrasonic
diffusers are the most popular) that actually put particles of the oil into the air. These can be especially dangerous
for cats because the droplets can collect on the cat's fur and then become ingested when groomed off.

![Cat grooming its fur](/img/2a51cf6c)

If you are using any of these aromatherapy tools in your home, keep them well out of reach of your cat. Ingestion could
occur if your cat knocks the diffuser over, and breathing in too closely could cause respiratory irritation. If you
apply essential oils directly to your skin, take extra caution to ensure your cat does not lick that area and you do not
get it on their fur by accident.

## Are All Essential Oils Toxic?

Not necessarily, but they all have the potential to be dangerous due to their high concentration. While not
comprehensive, the Pet Poison Helpline has identified these oils to be the most toxic to cats:

- Wintergreen
- Oil of sweet birch
- Citrus oil (d-limonene)
- Pine oils
- Ylang Ylang oil
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon oil
- Pennyroyal oil
- Clove oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Tea tree oil

## What Should I Do if My Cat Was Exposed to Essential Oils?

If you think your cat has come into contact with an essential oil, the first thing you want to do is quickly identify
what the oil was and how you think your cat came into contact with it. If you cannot do this quickly or the symptoms are
so severe that you do not have time (i.e., respiratory distress, etc.), then go immediately to the vet or closest
emergency center. If possible, bring the packaging or product itself with you to the vet.

Either you or your vet can contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or ASPCA Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435
for more information.

![Cat being given a bath to remove contaminants from its coat](/img/07a35c28)

Treatment and outcome truly depend on which essential oil, how much, the concentration, and how your cat came into
contact with it. For example, if the oil was on their fur or skin but not ingested, then a bath to remove the product
from your cat's coat may be the first part of the plan.

## So, Can I Use Essential Oils if I Have a Cat?

The safest answer is no, because it is just not worth the risk. However, with caution and extra care, essential oils can
be safely used. Here are some tips to help keep your cat safe:

- Remember to never apply any essential oil directly on your cat.
- If you are using oils directly on your skin, make sure the product dries thoroughly before you interact with your cat.
  Even after it has dried, make sure your cat does not lick the area.
- Keep cats out of rooms with diffusers if possible to help minimize the risk.
- Never use essential oils, aromatherapy, or diffusers if you have a cat with any respiratory illness like asthma. The
  strong smells can trigger respiratory distress.

If your cat experiences respiratory distress, coughing, vomiting, drooling, unsteadiness, or watery eyes, seek immediate
veterinary care. In the case of toxicity, the faster treatment is started, the better the outcome is likely to be for
your cat. For more information, visit [ASPCA Poison Control](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) or
[Pet Poison Helpline](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/contact/).