Are Eucalyptus Toxic to Cats?

Eucalyptus species

Eucalyptus leaves contain eucalyptol and terpenes. Cats lack the liver enzymes to clear these compounds efficiently, so exposure causes drooling, vomiting, lethargy and, with oil, more serious depression of the nervous system.

It arrives in the house in cut-foliage bouquets, in shower bundles, and in diffuser oils — the oil being the concentrated form.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• essential oil
• stems

What to watch for in the UK

• Cut-foliage bouquets often include it, and stalks fall to the floor.
• Shower eucalyptus bundles are popular and leave oil on the floor.
• Diffuser oils are the highest-concentration exposure.
• Never use eucalyptus oil on a cat's coat or bedding.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. A leaf or two: watch for drooling.
2. Any oil on the coat or in the air: phone your vet.
3. Take the bottle or plant material with you.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).