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What Essential Oils Do Cats Hate? The 7 Worst Options

Written by: Jessica Kim

Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

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What Essential Oils Do Cats Hate? The 7 Worst Options

It’s generally recommended for cat owners to keep their cats away from essential oils. Essential oils can be extremely harmful to cats because they contain higher concentrations of chemicals that are toxic to them.

Most cats aren’t fans of essential oils because their fragrances are too strong. So, it’s usually not too hard to keep cats away from essential oils and food extracts. However, it’s still important to be prepared and have a general awareness of specific essential oils that are dangerous to cats. Here are some essential oils that cats hate and are also dangerous for them.

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The 7 Essential Oils Cats Hate

1.  Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon
Photo by Maja Il, Unsplash

While the smell of cinnamon often reminds us of fall and all the seasonal foods that contain cinnamon, cats usually aren’t enticed by this scent. So, you usually don’t have to worry about your cat getting close to cinnamon sticks, powder, and essential oil.

However, it’s still important to store cinnamon products in secure and unreachable places for your cat, especially cinnamon oil. Cinnamon contains coumarin, which is a natural anticoagulant 1. Consuming large and concentrated doses of cinnamon can cause excessive bleeding in cats, which will inevitably lead to severe or fatal medical issues.


2. Citrus Oil

Citrus is another scent that usually repels cats. In fact, some people may lay out slices of citrus fruit, like lemons and oranges, in their gardens to keep cats away.

Citrus can also be harmful to cats. Some citrus oils contain d-limonene, including oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, and grapefruit 2. High concentrations of d-limonene can cause skin irritation, and consuming too much of it can lead to digestive issues. D-limonene is also known to be an eye irritant.


3. Pennyroyal Oil

Pennyroyal
Photo by Sonny Sixteen, Unsplash

Pennyroyal is regarded as a medicinal plant that may be used to treat the common cold, pneumonia, and fatigue. However, the oil is considered to be toxic to both cats and humans.

Consuming too much pennyroyal oil or extract can cause serious side effects, including syncope, seizures, coma, and multiorgan failure 3. Just 1 tablespoon of pennyroyal oil can cause these health complications in humans, so you can only imagine how much more severe it would be for a much smaller cat.


4. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil, or menthol, is often used topically to treat minor headaches, joint pain, and muscle aches. It can also soothe some itchiness. Peppermint oil is also commonly used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress and pain and treat coughs.

While humans can benefit from small doses of peppermint oil, it’s best to refrain from using them for cats. It can be toxic to cats when ingested or inhaled and may cause nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Consuming larger doses of peppermint oil can lead to liver failure.


5. Ylang-Ylang Oil

Ylang Ylang
Photo by mayapujiati, Pixabay

Ylang-ylang oil is used for its fragrance and calming effects. It’s often an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. People may also use ylang-ylang oil in aromatherapy to help themselves relax.

It’s not recommended to use ylang-ylang oil around cats because it can cause skin irritation. High exposure to ylang-ylang oil may cause cats to become fatigued or sluggish. They may also get an upset stomach and experience diarrhea or vomiting.


6. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is often used as a natural remedy for coughs and congestion. Skincare products can be infused with eucalyptus oil, and certain lotions may use it to help alleviate joint pain.

However, eucalyptus is toxic to cats. Ingesting small amounts can cause an upset stomach. Larger doses of eucalyptus oil can cause seizures and tremors.


7. Clove Oil

garlic cloves with extract essential garlic oil
Image Credit: NIKCOA, Shutterstock

Clove oil, or eugenol, is a common flavoring ingredient for teas, cakes, meats, and stews. Because it’s aromatic, most cats don’t like its strong scent and will steer clear of it.

Clove oil is harmful to cats. If a cat ingests clove oil, they will most likely experience gastrointestinal upset. More severe cases will lead to liver issues and complications in the central nervous system.

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What to Do If Your Cat Eats Essential Oils

Not all essential oils are toxic to cats, but it’s still best practice to contact an animal poison control helpline or your veterinarian right away if your cat ingests an essential oil. Since ingesting certain essential oils can be fatal, it’s better to be safe than sorry and seek professional advice and help immediately.

Make sure to gather specific information about the essential oil that you can provide to your veterinarian. It’ll be helpful to know what type of essential oil your cat ingested, the amount that they ate, and how much time has passed since they’ve eaten it. List any signs of essential oil poisoning, such as the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Shaking or muscle tremors
  • Lethargy
  • Imbalanced gait
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Skin irritation on areas that came in contact with the essential oil

It’s not recommended to induce vomiting for your cat on your own. A veterinarian can perform the appropriate next steps after they’ve examined your cat and work quickly to get them stabilized.

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Conclusion

Since many types of essential oils are harmful to cats, it’s best to keep them away from them. If your cat touches or consumes an essential oil, seek professional help immediately. You can contact an animal poison control helpline or your veterinarian. You’ll want as much time on your side as possible when addressing potential essential oil poisoning. Acting quickly can improve your cat’s prognosis and increase the chances of recovering from the incident.


Featured Image Credit: CRYSTALWEED cannabis, Unsplash

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