How a 3 kg cat's size magnifies mothball risks
Your cat's small body weight means even trace amounts of naphthalene fumes in a closed wardrobe can be dangerous - their red blood cells start breaking down at lower concentrations than a dog's would. Cats also lack certain liver enzymes needed to process these chemicals, so damage accumulates faster.
Unlike cedar chips, which might cause mild drooling or stomach upset if chewed, mothball fumes alone can lead to lethargy, trouble breathing, or brownish gums within hours. These signs indicate hemolytic anemia - the blood can't carry oxygen properly - and at 3 kg, your cat has little reserve before organ failure begins.
Why wardrobe storage creates a hidden hazard
Enclosed spaces like wardrobes allow fumes to concentrate to dangerous levels, especially in winter when we open them less often. Your cat doesn't need to chew the mothballs - simply brushing against them transfers toxins to their fur, which they'll ingest during grooming.
Cedar chips, while potentially irritating, don't off-gas dangerous chemicals. The worst case with cedar is usually some sneezing or a mildly upset stomach from nibbling. Mothballs, however, contaminate fabrics they touch, so even removing them leaves residue that clings to your cat's paws for weeks.
The grooming factor most owners overlook
Cats expose themselves to far more toxin than dogs would in the same situation because of their fastidious grooming. Every time your cat licks its paws after walking near mothballs, it's taking in another dose of poison - this is why symptoms often appear delayed but severe.
With cedar, the oils might cause some lip-licking or face-rubbing, but they don't bioaccumulate this way. Monitor your cat closely for small behavior changes - hiding more, eating less, or avoiding the wardrobe area. These subtle signs often precede collapse in mothball cases.
When to worry about secondary poisoning
If you've stored mothballs among clothes, those fabrics now carry traces of toxin that transfer to your cat through skin contact. This is particularly risky with knitwear your cat might knead or sleep on. Cedar-scented items pose no similar threat.
Wash all exposed fabrics in hot water with vinegar before letting your cat near them again. Watch for symptoms even after removing mothballs - anemia can develop days later as affected red blood cells break down. Any panting, weakness, or loss of coordination warrants an immediate vet visit, regardless of exposure timing.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Mothballs (Naphthalene, Paradichlorobenzene) emergency guide.