Are essential oils in candles, like lavender, toxic for cats to smell?

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.

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/

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.

The biggest problem with essential oils is not the smell, but when the oil gets onto the cat and they lick it off. This can happen when the oil is aerosolized or if it is sprayed or poured and the cat walks through it since they will then lick their paws. So, if you have sprayed or poured the peppermint oil in an area that Luna may walk through, then make sure you wash the area well. The strong smell is mainly a concern if a cat has asthma and is not associated with the toxicity aspect of essential oils. I am attaching a link to more information about essential oils below for your information. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/ I have used diluted peppermint oil in my house and my cats have not had any problem, but you need to be careful that they do not have any access to it. I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.

While direct contact with undiluted essential oils can be toxic to cats using a few drops in a spray or diffuser is unlikely to cause any problems. If your cats have asthma you may want to avoid any fragrances but otherwise I think you can continue to use your oils this way. Ask your veterinarian for advice if your cats have any health problems.

It’s probably safe to diffuse it for most cats. However, if Tigger has any history of asthma or breathing condition, I do not recommend diffusing anything (or incense or candles or smoking indoors for that matter). Also keep in mind that some essential oils can smell extremely strong to our pets - who have a much better sense of smell. If it smells strong to you, it’s overwhelming to Tigger- so turn it down. Best of luck to you and Tigger!

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!