Puja & festivals · cat safety
Is camphor (कपूर) toxic to cats?
Severe
No — camphor (kapoor) is toxic to cats: it soaks through the skin and can cause vomiting, depression and seizures. Store puja camphor shut away, and never rub a balm like Vicks or Amrutanjan on a cat.
Why severe: The most toxic of the mothball ingredients — absorbed through the skin; never for cats.
- Name
- Camphoralso Kapoor, Kapoor goli, Pain balms, Vicks-type rubs
- Hindi
- कपूर · kapoor
What's in it
Camphor — it acts on the brain (depression or excitement, seizures).
Where it hides
- Puja camphor tablets on the aarti thali
- Camphor kept in cupboards or water bowls as an 'air purifier' or insect remedy
- Vicks, Tiger Balm, Amrutanjan-type rubs
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Low mood or agitation
- Seizures
- Rarely, death
What to do — now
Go to a vet now if your cat ate camphor or a balm was put on it.
- If balm is on the fur, wash it off with warm soapy water (International Cat Care) — then go.
- Take the pack.
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
Where Indian cats meet it
Daily aarti, the puja thali, camphor in cupboards and water bowls, and pain balms on the bedside table.
Myth or fact
Myth“Kapoor is natural and purifies the air, so it's safe around pets”
FactCamphor is the most toxic of the mothball ingredients (MSD) and 'should never be applied to dogs or cats' (Pet Poison Helpline). Keep it shut away.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Camphor
- MSD Veterinary Manual: Mothball toxicosis
- International Cat Care: Cats and poisons
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.