While you might like the smell, eucalyptus isn't safe to keep around cats — whether it's dried or fresh. “Eucalyptus is poisonous to cats,” Dr. Bustamante told
Ingestion or prolonged exposure to essential oils, such as eucalyptus, is not safe for cats and can lead to adverse health effects. If you enjoy using these essential oils, consider only diffusing them outside of the home, such as at the office, or keep them in a room that your kitty isn't allowed to venture into.
Lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus
Likewise, geranium and eucalyptus plants give off an odor that cats dislike. Keep in mind that lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus are all somewhat toxic to cats; if ingested, they can cause excess salivation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, depression, or dermatitis.
Toxicity to pets
Small ingestions of a few leaves or low concentration eucalyptus oil leads to mild gastrointestinal distress, but ingestion of highly concentrated eucalyptus oil has been associated with severe signs including seizure, tremor, and, rarely, acute renal injury.
This fragrant plant is common in many homes because it looks pretty and smells even more decadent. Dried or fresh, eucalyptus is dangerous for your cat. Your cat can experience salivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and other concerning symptoms after consuming this potent houseplant.
While you might like the smell, eucalyptus isn't safe to keep around cats — whether it's dried or fresh. “Eucalyptus is poisonous to cats,” Dr. Bustamante told The Dodo. “Cats are not able to metabolize chemicals found in the plant; therefore, those chemicals can damage your cat's internal organs.”
Risks of Hanging Eucalyptus In the Shower
Since eucalyptus is toxic to cats and dogs, though, you'll want to avoid the shower plant if you have pets at home. And if you decide to put a few drops of the concentrated eucalyptus oil in the shower instead of the entire plant, proceed with caution, says Patterson.
Established research has shown that essential oils can be toxic to cats, whether taken internally, applied to the skin, or simply inhaled. Exposure can lead to serious liver damage, liver failure, respiratory failure, seizures and even death.
This is due to the eucalyptol oil — a neurotoxin that may cause liver or kidney damage in canines. Dogs should not eat any part of the eucalyptus tree or shrub, including the leaves and the bark. Keep these plants out of reach if you decide to plant them inside or outside your home.
If you believe that your cat has ingested or come in contact with essential oils or liquid potpourri, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680), a 24/7 animal poison control center, immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the prognosis and outcome for your cat.
Oils that are harmful to cats include, but are not limited to: wintergreen; sweet birch; citronella oils and candles; citrus (d-limonene); pine; ylang-ylang; peppermint; cinnamon; pennyroyal; clove; eucalyptus; tea tree (melaleuca); thyme; oregano; and lavender.
A great deterrent for not only mice but insects to. They don't like the smell! You do need to do it regularly as Eucalyptus Oil does evaporate over time.
A few common essential oils that are SAFE to use for your cat include lavender, copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense. If you diffuse oils in your home, it should not cause a problem for your cat, as oil used in a diffuser is highly diluted (versus direct topical application or dietary supplementation).
Eucalyptus oil is used in aromatherapy to treat breathing problems (4). The smell of eucalyptus can be very overwhelming for dogs in both positive and negative ways. But all these benefits are for humans.
Inhaling peppermint oil spread in your house by a diffuser can be enough to cause your cat to suffer from: Laboured breathing. Coughing fits. Shortness of breath.
While it is not deadly, lavender is toxic for cats. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats cannot process in their livers. This means that consuming too much lavender can lead to liver damage.
Eucalyptus oil can, in reality, deter cats. We love this oil for its refreshing smell, which is precisely why cats dislike it. Cats have a heightened sense of smell. So the odors we find delightful would be overpowering to them.
Potential benefits of eucalyptus include reducing symptoms of coughs, colds, and congestion and relieving muscle and joint pain. The oil that comes from the eucalyptus tree is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, as an ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, in dental preparations, and in industrial solvents.
Because of their superior smelling abilities, they are sensitive to citrus-based products and Eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is used as a deterrent for numerous animals, among them fleas, mosquitoes, mice and rats and — and you guessed it — cats. Use both of these natural repellents to your advantage.
Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.
Catnip, part of the mint family, affects many cats with a scent-induced kitty “high.” Silver vine has a similar effect. And valerian can energize cats. Fresh work best, but even the dried form may inspire kitty love.