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I used essential oils before cats. Will past use harm my new cats?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8 months and 12 days old | 7 lbs

Hi, I used to use grapefruit and orange essential oil around the house... adding it to mop water, burning it, diffusing it in one of those diffusers that mists it out in water, and spraying it with a spray bottle into the air, on blankets, furniture, on tables to wipe them down with... anything. I had never had cats and didn't know citrus is toxic to them. Now I have cats and I am staying up all night wondering if the oil I used in the past will kill them. I didn't know this when I got the ca

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 22nd, 2016

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.

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Claudia Fioravanti
Veterinarian
How long in the past ? As long as Kitty seems ok and you stop using citrus fruit essential oil and other essential oils potentially harmful for cats, then kitty should be fine . If you notice any abnormalities , I would suggest to have her checked over.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Barry, BVSc, MRCVS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 20th, 2017
This is a good question. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils, and you are correct that some oils can be toxic. Their sense of smell is so much more acute than humans, so even diffusing diluted oils can be very unpleasant for them. I suggest do not use a diffuser, instead if you'd like to use or smell oils, apply them to your skin or a tissue to sniff. Do not apply any oils to your cats fur.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 3rd, 2017
I definitely would not use the essential oils around your cats. There are many that are toxic to cats, even when they are inhaled, so it's best to avoid it completely for the health of your cats. I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on January 13th, 2019
Minor ingestion should not be harmful at all and they usually do not cause any major side effects.
Generally speaking lotions are much less powerful and concentrated than essential oils for diffusers.
I would suggest to keep him monitored and in case you notice any diarrhea, vomiting, retching or hypersalivation, lethargy or inappetence a check up would be required.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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