A practising veterinarian in Singapore who has seen some poisoning cases caused by seemingly harmless household items explained why they pose potential risks on the health of feline family members. Dr. Rachel Tong who has had 11 years experience as a vet, specialises in integrating traditional Chinese veterinary medicine with Western veterinary medical treatments.

According to Dr. Tong the following seemingly nontoxic household items make the home smell nice and clean but are actually poisonous to cats:

Essential Oils

Some essential oils such as those extracted from tea trees, pine, citrus, cinnamon, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet birch, ylang ylang and clove should be kept out of a cat’s reach. Actually, Dr. Tong says it’s safer not to burn, diffuse, vaporise or spray any kind of essential oils if there are cats staying in the enclosed environment since the toxic effects of other essential oils have not yet been ascertained.

When felines breathe in essential oils, the vapors produced by diffusers or scented candles can cause distress or irritation in their respiratory tracts. Another way by which essential oils can affect cats is during self-grooming, when they lick and ingest the vapors that landed on their fur. Medically, it has been proven that cats cannot metabolise essential oils because their liver does not have the enzymes that will allow their body to process and absorb the oils ingested.

Dr. Tong said that labored breathing, wheezing and coughing are signs that a cat needs immediate veterinary medical attention. Other symptoms that a cat needs to be examined by a vet right away include watery eyes, runny nose, vomiting and/or drooling.

Perfumes or Fragrance

Perfumes or fragrances can also have the same toxic effects on felines that is why it’s important to spray away from pets, when spritzing on perfumes or fragrances in areas with little or no ventilation. Dr. Tong explained that perfumes and fragrances in skincare products contain aromatic oils that smell 9 to 16 times stronger on cat nostrils. The aromatic substances are equally as harmful as essential oils.

Strong Smelling Disinfectants Like Bleach

Bleach and other strong-smelling disinfectants have been harmful and have a distressing effect on cats. Take notice of how pet cats behave in a surface that has been wiped clean with a strong-smelling disinfectant. Generally, cats compulsively sniff, purr, rub and roll on the surface because the chlorine scent of bleach is also present in the pheromones produced and used by cats to mark or reclaim a territory. It’s also the scent of the pheromones cats use as a mating signal.

Still, Dr. Tong warns that a cat’s exposure to bleach and other disinfectants can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and pawing, squinting, reddening and closing of the eyes.