Why a 1.8 kg cat is at risk from fumes alone
Your cat's small size makes her uniquely vulnerable to mothball vapors. At this weight, even brief exposure in an enclosed space like an attic can overwhelm her system. Cats lack certain liver enzymes that help break down naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, so these chemicals linger longer and do more damage than they would in dogs or humans.
Watch for early signs like drooling, squinting, or pawing at her face — these suggest irritation from the fumes. More serious symptoms (lethargy, trouble breathing, or orange-tinged gums) mean the toxins are already affecting her red blood cells. Don't wait for these to appear — act now.
The first 24 hours after attic exposure
Time matters here because mothball poisoning progresses in stages. The first six hours may only show mild respiratory irritation, but by hour twelve, you could see vomiting or loss of coordination as the chemicals circulate. At eighteen hours, check her gums — if they're paler than usual, her red blood cells are under attack.
Even if she seems fine now, the damage might be internal. Cats hide illness well, and by the time she acts sick, she could be in crisis. Don't rely on visible symptoms as your guide — her size means she has little reserve.
Why this differs from occasional sniffing
An attic is a worst-case scenario for mothball exposure. Unlike a brief pass by a closet, your cat was likely surrounded by concentrated fumes in a poorly ventilated space. The longer she stayed there, the more vapor she inhaled — and with her low body weight, even ten minutes could deliver a dangerous dose.
Naphthalene mothballs (the older, more toxic type) vaporize faster in heat, so if your attic was warm, the air could have been saturated with toxin. Paradichlorobenzene types aren't safe either — they cause different but equally serious problems like liver damage at high exposures.
What to do right now for a tiny cat
Move her immediately to fresh air — but don't stop there. Open windows near her, but avoid stressing her with car rides unless going to the vet. Stress worsens breathing problems in cats already struggling with toxin exposure. Call your vet while monitoring her respiratory rate (normal is 20-30 breaths per minute; count her sides for 15 seconds and multiply by four).
Never try home remedies like milk or activated charcoal — these don't help with inhaled toxins and may delay proper care. Your vet may recommend oxygen support or specific blood tests to check her red cell count. For a cat this small, waiting could be fatal — when in doubt, assume it's serious.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Mothballs (Naphthalene, Paradichlorobenzene) emergency guide.