Antonio Mcgowan
Incense and oil diffusers are popular ways to fragrance a home, but they can be harmful to cats. Cats have a more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and their airways are more delicate. As such, cats can develop respiratory issues from incense and oil diffusers, including pneumonia, and in some cases, the oils can be toxic.
Are incense and oil diffusers safe for cats?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense | Not safe for cats. Cats are very sensitive to smoke. Burning incense in the home could cause your cat to have upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes. |
| Oil diffusers | Essential oils are toxic to cats and can cause respiratory irritation, poisoning, and even liver failure. However, small amounts of most essential oils and moderate amounts of most oils should not harm your cat. |
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What You'll Learn
Essential oils can be toxic to cats
Essential oils are toxic to cats and can cause serious health issues or even death. Cats lack certain liver enzymes that are important in metabolizing many essential oil constituents, which makes them more susceptible to potential toxicity from essential oils. This can lead to liver failure, as their bodies cannot process the oils effectively.
The use of essential oil diffusers or directly on the cat's skin can result in toxic effects. When diffused, cats can inhale the particles of oil, absorbing a significant amount. Additionally, cats may rub against surfaces with essential oils and then groom themselves, ingesting the toxic substance.
Symptoms of essential oil toxicity in cats include drooling, vomiting, tremors, ataxia (wobbliness), respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, and liver failure. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, immediate veterinary treatment is necessary.
Some essential oils that are particularly toxic to cats include citrus (lemon, lime), eucalyptus, tea tree oil, oil of wintergreen, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil. It is important to note that even diluted lavender oil can be toxic to cats, although it is tolerated better when diluted.
To ensure the safety of your cat, it is recommended to avoid using essential oil diffusers or applying oils directly to your cat. Keep essential oils out of reach and always consult your veterinarian before using any essential oil products around your feline companion.
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Cats are sensitive to smoke and scents
Cats have sensitive airways, and their sense of smell is much stronger than that of humans. This means that scents that are pleasant to humans can be overpowering and irritating to cats. Cats are also more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoke and scents than humans.
Essential oils are toxic to cats and can cause respiratory irritation, even if the cat has not directly ingested the oil. Cats with underlying respiratory issues such as asthma, or those exposed to second-hand smoke, are at an increased risk of developing severe respiratory issues from essential oils. Symptoms of respiratory irritation include a watery nose and eyes, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, nausea, drooling, vomiting, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
If a cat ingests essential oils, it can lead to more serious side effects, including vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased heart and breathing rate, seizures, and even liver failure. Some essential oils are more toxic than others, including tea tree oil, cinnamon oil, citrus oil, peppermint oil, pine oil, and ylang-ylang oil.
Reed diffusers are generally safer than ultrasonic diffusers, as they do not release micro-droplets that can settle on a cat's fur and be ingested during grooming. However, even reed diffusers should only be used in well-ventilated areas and for limited periods, giving the cat the option to leave the room.
Incense is also not safe for cats due to their sensitivity to smoke. Burning incense can cause upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes, and can trigger asthma in cats.
In general, it is best to avoid using incense or oil diffusers around cats, or at least to use them in a room that the cat does not have access to, with good ventilation.
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Diffusers can be knocked over by cats
To prevent this, keep essential oil containers, diffusers, and warmers out of cats' reach. Provide cats with access to a safe space away from fragrant essential oils, and keep diffusers out of rooms where cats groom themselves. If a diffuser is knocked over, and oil spills onto or near a cat, immediately move them into fresh air and seek emergency veterinary treatment if their symptoms do not quickly resolve.
In addition to the risk of ingestion, diffusers can also cause respiratory irritation in cats. Cats with underlying health conditions, like asthma or allergies, are at higher risk for poisoning. It is best to avoid using diffusers or sprays that make the droplets airborne, as cats may have difficulty breathing with essential oils in the air.
Even if a cat does not come into direct contact with the oil, the strong fragrance of diffused essential oils can cause respiratory irritation. A cat's sense of smell is far more sensitive than a human's, so a scent that is pleasant to us may be much more intense and irritating to a cat. Active diffusers that disperse droplets of oil into the air can be particularly problematic, as the droplets may settle on a cat's fur and be ingested during grooming.
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Cats with pre-existing conditions are at higher risk
Cats with pre-existing respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, or those exposed to second-hand smoke, are at a greater risk of developing severe respiratory irritation from essential oils. This is because cats have a more sensitive sense of smell than humans, and a scent that is pleasant to us may be overpowering and irritating to a cat.
In addition, cats lack certain liver enzymes that are important in the metabolism of many essential oil constituents, and they may be at higher risk of toxicity from essential oils compared to humans and dogs. Young cats and those with liver problems are at an even higher risk of toxicity.
If a cat has underlying health conditions, they may also be at higher risk for poisoning. Wismer of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control warns that cats with pre-existing conditions may have difficulty breathing with essential oils in the air. She also advises against using essential oils as a topical agent on cats with pre-existing conditions, as they may struggle to metabolize the oil once it is absorbed through the skin or broken skin.
Cats with pre-existing conditions are also at risk of having a flare-up of their symptoms if exposed to scented candles. If you must light a candle, ensure it is in a room where your cat does not have access, or maintain adequate ventilation in the home.
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Active diffusers emit micro-droplets that can settle on a cat's fur
Active diffusers, such as nebulizing and ultrasonic diffusers, emit micro-droplets of essential oils into the air. These micro-droplets can settle on a cat's fur and be ingested when the cat grooms itself. This can be harmful to cats as they can be toxic to them. Cats lack certain liver enzymes that are important for metabolizing many essential oil constituents, which may put them at a higher risk of toxicity from essential oils compared to humans and dogs.
The use of essential oils with active diffusers around cats is not recommended due to the potential health risks. Cats can be very sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds found in some essential oils, and the higher the concentration, the greater the risk. Symptoms of essential oil poisoning in cats can include drooling, vomiting, tremors, respiratory distress, low heart rate, low body temperature, and liver failure.
It is important to follow guidelines for the safe use of essential oils around cats, such as avoiding large amounts of undiluted essential oils, ensuring good ventilation, and giving cats the option to leave the room. Reed diffusers are generally considered safer than active diffusers as they do not release micro-droplets that can settle on a cat's fur. However, it is important to note that even reed diffusers can pose a risk if the cat comes into direct contact with the oil or ingests it.
Overall, it is recommended to avoid using essential oil diffusers around cats whenever possible. If you choose to use a diffuser, it is important to follow safety guidelines and be mindful of the potential risks to your cat's health.
If you suspect that your cat has ingested essential oils or is showing any signs of respiratory irritation or other health issues, it is important to seek veterinary advice immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
No, incense and oil diffusers are not safe for cats. Cats are very sensitive to smoke and scents, and burning incense in the home could cause your cat to have upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes. If your cat already has an underlying respiratory illness, the incense can cause it to flare up or even get worse.
Essential oils can be toxic to cats and cause respiratory irritation if breathed in. Cats with underlying health conditions, like asthma or allergies, may also be at higher risk for poisoning. The strong fragrance of the diffused essential oil can cause respiratory irritation in cats, leading to a burning sensation in the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
If you suspect your cat has ingested essential oils or has gotten them on their skin, call your veterinarian and bring any packaging from the product with you to the veterinary hospital. Treating essential oil toxicity usually involves supportive care like IV fluids and heart rate monitoring.
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