People alike often appreciate the soothing fragrance of dried eucalyptus or have heard about its many health benefits, while for our cats it may pose risks they should avoid. Although human products may seem harmless enough, their use could pose risks when exposed to our curious cats; so we need to think carefully before using these items in order to protect our felines.
What Is Eucalyptus? Eucalyptus plants are evergreen trees native to Australia and Tasmania that come in numerous species that range in size from small leafy plants to trees. Eucalyptus is prized for its relaxing scent; dried leaves often feature in floral arrangements while many houseware products such as candles and bath products contain oil infused with this scent for decoration or fragrance purposes. Although some purported health benefits of the plant have been touted, no scientific proof to back these up has yet been presented by any scientific method yet.
Are Cats Safe Around Eucalyptus?
Living with cats can be quite fascinating; their curiosity often leads them into unthinkable places. With numerous forms of eucalyptus products available today and being found around our homes, understanding whether these products are safe is key for cat caretakers.
Eucalyptus plants, in their pure form, can be very harmful for cats if eaten. Common symptoms of ingestion of eucalyptus plants would include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and lethargy; usually larger amounts must have been consumed to show serious illness symptoms in cats; but if you suspect your cat has eaten any part of a eucalyptus plant and/or have sought veterinary assistance or contacted a poison control hotline as soon as possible so treatment plans can be devised immediately.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
When dealing with eucalyptus essential oils, there are additional considerations. They contain highly concentrated oil (with stronger effects than its parent plant), making ingestion dangerous. However, they can pose risks when inhaled directly or absorbed through fur or skin contact. While it would take an extreme dose of eucalyptus essential oil to cause toxic effects directly via skin or inhalation exposure, its active ingredients could still be absorbed through these routes and as cats are known for being meticulous groomers they may sample any product applied topically containing eucalyptus with their tongues; for this reason it is not advised using topical products containing this component on cats.