Mothballs as a Cat Repellent

You can't teach cats to respect humans' personal property, but electronic deterrents and some plants and herbs can keep them away from off-limits areas without harming them. However, while mothballs work as a cat repellent, they're toxic to cats, other animals and birds.

  1. Never Safe

    • Even putting mothballs or mothball flakes in a coffee can with holes cut in the lid is not safe for cats. Inhaling the fumes can be as toxic as eating the mothballs.

    Toxic Ingredients

    • Mothballs, mothball flakes and mothball cakes all contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Although paradichlorobenzene is less dangerous than naphthalene, it still can have serious side effects for cats.

    Organ Damage

    • Ingesting or inhaling naphthalene can cause liver, kidney and blood cell damage in cats, as well as swelling of the brain, coma and death.

    Other Effects

    • Both naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene can cause lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, behavior changes and seizures in cats.

    Instant Reaction

    • Clinical signs of mothball toxicity in cats can develop within minutes to hours.

    Immediate Care

    • Cats showing signs of mothball toxicity need immediate veterinary care.