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What essential oils are toxic to cats in household products?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Himalayan | Male | neutered | 15 lbs

how much and what kind of exposure to essential oils can cause health issues in cats also which ones are NOT toxic at all.I have discovered while trying to go all natural in my home companies are adding essential oils to everything like cleaning supplies etc.,I do not want to diffuse them just want to know if I can use my deodorant, laundry soap -(lavender) and sal suds which has fir needle oil and spruce leaf essential oil in it.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 2nd, 2017

I will link a website below that has lists of the many essential oils that are toxic to cats and ones that are safe around cats. Just as a note, lavender , fir needle, and spruce essential oils are all toxic to cats. Safe essential oils include cedar wood, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary.

http://essentialoilworld.com/essentialoilreviews/essential-oil-safety-with-cats/
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 17th, 2018

    For cats, avoid the following:
    -Citrus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Birch, Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, Tea tree, Thyme and Wintergreen

    For dogs, avoid the following:
    -Garlic, Horseradish, Clove, Wintergreen, Thyme, Juniper, Anise

    The below oils are safe for use in dogs and cats:
    -Chamomile, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Lavender and Ginger

    I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 5th, 2017

    I personally love animalEO, a brand developed by Dr. Melissa Shelton, a very knowledgeable veterinarian. You can take a look at her web page www.animaleo.info where there is a section that explains in depth which essential oils are safe in cats. There is also a FB page where people post their experiences and often Dr Shelton gives her advice too. Enjoy !

    Vote Icon

    3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
Which essential oils are safe to use in a humidifier near my cat?
Tea tree oil is toxic to cats, and I would not use it at all in your home, as there is a chance Poe could lick the oils and become very sick. Lavender is also toxic, as are citrus oils (orange) and eucalyptus. Peppermint and lemongrass are the only safe ones you have to use around Poe, and I would restrict your use to those essential oils only. You can also use cedar wood and rosemary.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Are essential oils in candles, like lavender, toxic for cats to smell?
Lavender, orange (can extend to blood orange), and peppermint are all toxic to cats so I would not use them at all. Cats have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and even the smell of these can be very irritating. I don't ever recommend using any essential oils around cats due to the risks, and I would see if you can make the candle tarts in a place away from your cat. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Is lavender oil toxic for cats? What if my cat breathes it in?
Lavender oil is listed as toxic to cats in most toxicology databases. Inhaling it may cause respiratory irritation. If enough is inhaled, it may cause serious toxicity. Given how dangerous it is, not having it in the house at all would be recommended.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Are essential oils safe for my cat's skin or if she licks them?
I'm not sure that you're going to be able to find the information that you are looking for, because we're not quite sure what percentage of essential oils are safe for cats. Peppermint and clove oils are both potentially toxic for cats without an established "safe" amount. I can't recommend applying essential oils directly to the fur/skin of a cat because of the potential safety concerns. I am attaching a website with more information about potential toxicity below. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/ If you are interested in using essential oils in cats, I would recommend using a product by Dr. Shelton. http://www.oilyvet.com/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
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How to get rid of spiders safely with a kitten? Are essential oils toxic?
The essential oils listed are all toxic to cats. Even if dry, there may be harmful residues left behind that could cause harm if ingested after self grooming. Consider products from EcoSmart ( www.ecosmart.com ) may be cat safe and effective in keeping spiders out of your home.
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Are essential oil flea and tick treatments truly safe for my cat?
My take is that all essential oils are potentially very dangerous for cats so i would never take the chance. in addition and from experience, these products do not work to protect dogs from ticks and fleas so i strongly doubt they would work on cats.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Is diffusing peppermint & lavender essential oils safe for my dog?
Peppermint essential oil is toxic to dogs, so do not use that. As for lavender, while it isn't toxic, dogs can have negative or allergic reactions to it, so use only small amounts initially. If you have a cat, do not use any essential oils as many are highly toxic to cats. I hope this helps!
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