Puja & festivals · cat safety
Is agarbatti smoke (अगरबत्ती) bad for cats?
Mild
Mostly a long-term worry: agarbatti and dhoop smoke adds fine particles to indoor air, and cats in homes with high levels were more likely to have asthma or bronchitis. Open a window during puja and keep asthmatic cats out of the room.
Why mild: A long-term airway irritant — more of a worry for cats with asthma.
- Name
- Agarbatti and dhoop smokealso Incense, Dhoop
- Hindi
- अगरबत्ती / धूप · agarbatti / dhoop
What's in it
Fine particles (PM2.5) in the smoke.
Where it hides
- Agarbatti, dhoop cones and sambrani
- Small, closed puja rooms
Symptoms to watch for
- Coughing
- Wheezing, fast breathing (asthma)
What to do
Open a window during puja and let your cat leave the room.
- Coughing, wheezing or fast breathing: see your vet.
Where Indian cats meet it
Daily puja, often in a small, closed room.
Sources
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.