# Are Eucalyptus Candles Toxic to Cats? Are eucalyptus scented candles toxic to cats? Yes, in the sense that matters most for a cat living in your home. The candle itself is not a poison a cat will usually eat, but the scent it throws into the air carries eucalyptus oil compounds that cats can react to with drooling, vomiting, and respiratory signs. Eucalyptus is listed as toxic to cats, and the essential oil is the reason [1]. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Eucalyptus plants and their oils are toxic to cats, with eucalyptol (also called 1,8-cineole) named as the toxic principle [1]. - Burning a eucalyptus candle releases those oil compounds into the air your cat breathes, and cats are often more sensitive to airborne irritants than people are. - Signs to watch for include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and weakness [1]. - If your cat has breathed in the scent and seems off, move the cat to fresh air and call your veterinarian or a poison control line right away. - The safest choice is to stop burning eucalyptus candles in any room your cat can reach, and to keep the candle itself, the wax, and any spilled oil locked away. ## Is a Eucalyptus Candle Toxic to Cats? A eucalyptus candle is not the same thing as a eucalyptus plant, but the two share the same problem compound. The ASPCA lists Eucalyptus species as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, and names eucalyptol as the toxic principle [1]. That is the same substance, also called 1,8-cineole, that gives eucalyptus oil its strong smell and that scented candles are designed to release into the air. So the answer to "is eucalyptus candle toxic to cats" depends on how your cat meets it. There are three main routes. ### Breathing the scent This is the most common exposure in a home with a burning candle. The warm wax releases volatile oil compounds into the room, and your cat inhales them. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell and a respiratory tract that reacts to strong airborne irritants. A candle in a small, closed room is a bigger dose than one in a large, ventilated space. ### Licking or eating the candle Some cats will investigate a warm candle and lick the wax or the melted pool. Others knock a candle off a shelf and chew the wax or the wick. Eating candle wax is not the same as eating a eucalyptus leaf, but the wax can carry concentrated fragrance oil, and a cat that swallows a chunk can also end up with a wax blockage in the gut. ### Contact with the oil Essential oil diffusers, oil burners, and the concentrated fragrance oils sold alongside candles are a separate and often more serious risk. A cat that walks through spilled oil and then grooms the oil off its paws is swallowing it. Cats cannot efficiently metabolize many plant oils, so a small amount on the coat can matter. If you are trying to sort out which household plants and products are safe, our guide to [flowers that are toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) covers the same principle for bouquets and cut flowers. ## What Is the Toxic Principle and What Does It Do? The toxic principle in eucalyptus is eucalyptol, an essential oil compound [1]. Eucalyptus oil is a concentrated source of it. In animal feed safety work, eucalyptus oil derived from Eucalyptus globulus was evaluated and a safe level in complete feed for cats was set at 10 mg/kg [2]. That number comes from a feed additive review, not from candle exposure, so do not try to use it to judge how much candle smoke is safe. It simply shows that eucalyptus oil is treated as a substance with real biological activity and a defined tolerance, not as a harmless perfume. Eucalyptol is a volatile compound, which means it evaporates into the air and is also absorbed when swallowed. It acts as an irritant to mucous membranes, the moist linings of the mouth, throat, stomach, and airways. That irritation is what drives the classic signs. When a cat breathes in the vapor, the airways can become irritated and narrow. When a cat swallows oil, the stomach lining is irritated, which triggers nausea and vomiting. Eucalyptol also has effects on the nervous system. In people, it is well known for its ability to mask other smells and to stimulate the trigeminal nerve, the nerve that carries sensations like cooling and stinging from the face [3]. That same nerve stimulation is part of why strong eucalyptus vapor feels sharp in the nose and throat. In a cat, that irritation can show up as head shaking, pawing at the mouth, or distress. There is also an allergy angle. A study of children in Australia found that children with asthma were far more likely to react on skin testing to eucalyptus pollen than healthy children [4]. That study looked at pollen and at children, not at candle smoke and cats, so it does not prove that eucalyptus candles trigger asthma in cats. It does support the general idea that eucalyptus material can provoke allergic and airway responses in sensitive individuals. ## Signs of Eucalyptus Candle Exposure in Cats The ASPCA lists the clinical signs of eucalyptus toxicity as salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and weakness [1]. In a candle-related exposure, you may see a mix of these, and the pattern often depends on whether your cat breathed the scent, licked the wax, or groomed oil off its coat. ### Signs you may see right away - Drooling or salivation, sometimes a lot of it - Pawing at the mouth or lip smacking - Vomiting, which may start within minutes to a few hours - Diarrhea - Squinting, runny eyes, or sneezing if the vapor is irritating the face - Coughing, wheezing, or noisy breathing - Acting dull, quiet, or unsteady (depression and weakness) [1] ### Signs that mean an emergency - Open-mouth breathing or obvious struggle to breathe - Blue or gray color to the gums or tongue - Collapse or inability to stand - Repeated vomiting that will not stop - Tremors, twitching, or a changed level of consciousness A cat in respiratory distress needs to be seen immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes. ### Timeline For swallowed oil or wax, vomiting and drooling often begin within a few hours. For inhaled vapor, eye and nose irritation and coughing can start while the candle is still burning or shortly after. Depression and weakness tend to build over hours instead of seconds [1]. If your cat is normal 12 to 24 hours after a brief exposure and the candle has been removed, the risk of a serious delayed problem is lower, but any cat that vomited, breathed oddly, or acted weak should still be checked. ## What to Do Right Now 1. Put the candle out and open a window or move your cat to a well-ventilated room with fresh air. 2. Move the candle, the wax, the wick, and any fragrance oil out of your cat's reach. 3. Check your cat's mouth for wax or oil and wipe away any oil on the coat with a damp cloth if your cat will allow it. Do not scrub or use soap unless a veterinarian tells you to. 4. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for guidance. 5. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Vomiting up an oil can push it into the airways and cause a much worse problem than leaving it in the stomach. 6. Do not give food, milk, oil, or any home remedy unless a veterinarian directs it. 7. Note the time of exposure, how long the candle burned, the room size, and what signs you have seen. That information helps the veterinarian decide how urgent the case is. If your cat is having trouble breathing, go to the nearest emergency hospital now instead of calling first. ## How Veterinarians Treat Eucalyptus Candle Exposure Treatment depends on the route and the severity. There is no single antidote for eucalyptol, so care is supportive and aimed at the specific problems your cat has. - Breathing support. If the airways are irritated, a veterinarian may give oxygen, keep the cat calm, and monitor breathing closely. Severe cases may need more intensive respiratory support. - Stomach care. For a cat that swallowed oil or wax, treatment may include medications to settle nausea and protect the stomach lining, plus fluids if vomiting has caused dehydration. - Decontamination. If a large amount of wax or oil was eaten very recently, a veterinarian may discuss options for removing it. This is a decision made case by case, and it is not something to attempt at home. - Skin and coat care. Oil on the fur is handled with careful washing using a pet-safe method, because the cat will keep grooming and swallowing whatever is left. - Monitoring. Blood work and repeated exams may be used to check hydration, electrolytes, and organ function. The exact tests and medications are chosen by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight, signs, and overall health. If you have other plants in the house and want to know what is safe, our article on [what flowers are toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) walks through the same risk categories. ## Outlook After Exposure The outlook is generally good for a cat that had a brief, mild exposure and was moved to fresh air quickly. Cats that only drooled a little or vomited once often recover with supportive care. The outlook is more guarded for cats that swallowed concentrated oil or that developed breathing difficulty, because airway and nervous system signs can progress. Several factors change the picture. The amount of oil involved matters. So does the size of the room, how long the candle burned, whether the cat has asthma or another lung condition, and how quickly you got help. Cats with pre-existing heart or lung disease tend to do worse with any respiratory irritant. Your veterinarian can give you a more specific outlook after examining your cat. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is to stop burning eucalyptus candles in your home if you have a cat. This is not about being overly cautious. Eucalyptus is a listed toxic plant with a named toxic principle, and the oil is the part that candles concentrate and release [1]. A candle that smells pleasant to you is an airborne exposure for a much smaller animal. If you want scent in your home, consider these options. - Skip scented candles and wax melts entirely in rooms your cat uses. - Use unscented candles if you want the ambiance, and keep them on a high, stable surface where a cat cannot knock them over or reach the flame. - Ventilate. Open a window or run a fan when anything scented is in use. - Avoid essential oil diffusers, plug-ins, and oil warmers around cats. These deliver a more concentrated dose than a candle. - Never leave a burning candle unattended, and never place one where a cat can swat at it. - Store candles, wax melts, and fragrance oils in a closed cabinet, not on a counter or shelf a cat can reach. - If you have a cat that chews plants, check every plant in the house. Our guide to [flowers toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) and our article on [spider plants](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-spider-plants-toxic-to-cats) can help you audit what is already on your windowsill. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you how your individual cat will respond. Cats vary in size, age, lung health, and sensitivity, and the same candle in the same room can affect two cats differently. Your veterinarian is the only one who can examine your cat and decide what care is needed. Contact your veterinarian the same day if your cat drooled, vomited once, had a bout of diarrhea, or seemed quiet and weak after being near a eucalyptus candle [1]. Even mild signs deserve a phone call, because early advice can prevent a small problem from growing. Go to an emergency hospital now if your cat is breathing with its mouth open, making noise when it breathes, has blue or gray gums, cannot stand, is having repeated vomiting, or is twitching or unresponsive. These are signs that need immediate care. A routine visit is reasonable if your cat seems fine but you know it licked wax, chewed a candle, or walked through spilled oil. Your veterinarian can check for hidden irritation and tell you what to watch for over the next day. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a cat get sick just from smelling a eucalyptus candle? Yes, inhaling the vapor can irritate the eyes, nose, and airways and lead to drooling, coughing, or breathing changes. Cats in small, closed rooms with a burning candle have the highest exposure. Move your cat to fresh air and call your veterinarian if you see any signs. ### What should I do if my cat licked a eucalyptus candle? Move the candle away, wipe any wax or oil from the mouth and coat, and call your veterinarian or a poison control line for advice. Do not make your cat vomit on your own. Watch closely for drooling, vomiting, or changes in breathing over the next several hours. ### Are all scented candles dangerous to cats, or only eucalyptus ones? Eucalyptus is a specific concern because eucalyptol is a named toxic principle for cats [1]. Other scented candles can still irritate a cat's airways or cause stomach upset if eaten. The safest approach with any scented candle is to keep it out of rooms your cat uses. ### How long do signs take to show up after exposure? Signs from swallowed oil or wax often appear within a few hours, and signs from inhaled vapor can start while the candle is still burning. Depression and weakness tend to build over hours [1]. If your cat is still normal a full day after a brief exposure, the risk of a serious delayed problem is lower, but a checkup is still wise if any sign occurred. ### Is there a safe amount of eucalyptus oil for a cat? There is no home-safe amount you can calculate yourself. A feed safety review set a safe level of eucalyptus oil in complete feed for cats at 10 mg/kg [2], but that is a feed additive figure, not a guide for candles, diffusers, or home products. Any decision about exposure or treatment is made by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight and health. ## Related Articles - [What Plants Are Toxic To Cats In Australia](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-are-toxic-to-cats-in-australia) - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Spider Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-spider-plants-toxic-to-cats) - [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) - [Is Eucalyptus Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Oil and Plant Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/eucalyptus-toxic-dogs-and-cats) - [Are Scented Candles Toxic to Cats? Wax, Smoke and Oils](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/scented-candles-toxic-cats) - [Are Scented Candles Safe Around Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/scented-candles-safe-around-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Eucalyptus](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/eucalyptus). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522099/). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2023. 3. [Eucalyptol Masks the Olfactory But Not the Trigeminal Sensation of Ammonia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31541234/). Chemical senses, 2019. 4. [Eucalyptus pollen allergy and asthma in children: a cross-sectional study in South-East Queensland, Australia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25938684/). PloS one, 2015. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)