Aspirin sensitivity can occur in both dogs and cats, especially cats. You dont have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. Ingesting enough of this herb can cause photosensitization in pets (ulcerative and exudative dermatitis). (What Now?). Steam from heated water has great effects on human colds as well as cats. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. :) Just so you understand, I may take a share of any sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Larger doses are a problem, so keep your products secured in the medicine cabinet to prevent her from chewing the containers and consuming their contents. All of the information and content on this website is written from our own personal perspective of owning and caring for pets over the last couple of years. Numerous chemicals had been isolated from bracken ferns. So why is camphor in Vicks vaposteam a threat to cats? Cats may be drawn to the smell for the same reason they are drawn to catmint. While it may be cute that they want to lick our skin after application, these creams are actually toxic to cats. he just said he likes it our cat goes crazy for twinkies. In cosmetics and skincare products, menthol is used to help relieve pain and to improve the scent and flavour of the product. Your cat may appear to hate you after using Vicks Vaporub for a couple of reasons. Clinicians should include cough drop use in history taking of patients with persisting cough illnesses. Then praise Misty and offer her a treat so she'll be happy to have you help her again in a month or two. Symptoms include fever, fast or labored breathing and a rapid heart rate. Well I have the flu, and a tissue is the only thing I had to let him take his psycho-ness out on lol. Cats may be poisoned if they are restrained in containers or cages made of zinc-containing metals, or painted with zinc-rich paints. Felines are self-groomingand their constantly busy tongues capture loose fur, which is then swallowed. Cats can be attracted to the smell for the same reason they are attracted to catnip. | Powered by WordPress. Camphor is easily absorbed through the skin and should never be used on dogs or cats due to the risk of poisoning. One thing you can try, if your cat keeps messing with your VapoRub, is to offer some catnip instead to distract it from it. If your cat goes outside, avoid growing St. Johns Wort where he can consume it. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. Because of this, cat owners must exercise extreme caution and avoid exposing their cat to the actual ointment, as some can be harmful to cats. What's this all about? (Not all cats carry the catnip-reacting gene.). Do you still have any queries related to cats or want to share some experiences with your feline friend, why don't you join us on Facebook with other cat lovers? This is not good for cats. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. Stop using menthol topical and call your doctor at once if you have: severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation . Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. Menthol is safe to breathe, but is toxic when consumed in large amounts. for cats. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. Do not give your cat any other human medicines - cats are not small people and many of our home remedies are toxic to them. It relieves pain. Also, Vicks vaposteam can be added in humidifiers to eliminate dryness in the air and improve symptoms of flu or the common cold. Find out more about my story. Further research into potential mechanisms is warranted. Please tell me how to accomplish this. There has been a lot of debate on whether your cat should inhale vaposteam. Despite the benefits of these fume-releasing machinery on humans, its is non-advisable to use them when Fido is around. Common ones include diphenhydramine, pseudoephedrine, and dimenhydrinate. Hyrum loves my hair too, he always thinks it needs grooming, lol. To put it in perspective, a typical cough drop contains between 5 and 10 mg of menthol. Keep Kitty safely harnessed, leashed, and reassured by your presence when outdoors, for her peace of mindand yours. If you have any unanswered questions, let us know in the comments section. But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. There is often some confusion around catmint and catnip. Are vaporizers safe for dogs and/or cats?. Believe it or not, veterinarians sometimes suggest using witch hazel to treat feline acne. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. They are mysterious. Also, be sure to always keep your flu season supplies stored safely out of paws reach! I purchased a very extensive pet insurance earlier this evening; however, it does not kick in for illnesses until after 30 days. However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. I too use Goldbond and my Stumpy tries to lick it off my hands every time I apply it. Eucalyptus oil is bad for cats as cats do not have the enzymes to break eucalyptus oil which can cause severe problems. Cats like mint-scented products or mint plants because the mint smells similar to catnip. Adult cats are lactose intolerant, but they can eat plain Greek yogurt. Cats absorb and filter nutrients much differently than humans. Cats are drawn to them for the same reason they are drawn to cat mint they are all members of the same family. Excess Vicks vaposteam poisoning can have adverse effects on a cat. Benzocaine most often causes gastrointestinal upset; however, benzocaine is metabolized into compounds which are capable of causing methemoglobinemia at high doses. Menthol, for example, is primarily metabolized (in humans and rodents) through glucuronidation, and toxicity testing shows that menthol is 3-4 times more toxic to a cat than a rat (Opdyke 1976). They are in love with the smell, taste, texture and everything in between. Catnip is related to mint I think - that maybe why your kitties like mint. They dont mind the smell of mint. An unconfined cat is distracting to the driver, and vulnerable to injury or escape. If you suspect your cat has ingested a large amount of menthol, look out for gastrointestinal problems. D Three Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Cats can not only get drunk, but it can also easily cause severe liver and brain damage. But its regarded as toxic for them if it is ingested. Do cats like the smell of the Vicks VapoRub? If you want to use essential oils on your cat, ensure they are pet-approved. You may find, in time, it searches for the catnip before thinking about your Vicks. If you have any difficulty, ask your veterinarian for help. Salicylates, the generic name for aspirin, are found in both Bengay and Icy Hot. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the chin. I am getting over a cold now and was just using vicks - my kitties didn't bother me. While you don't want your cat to swallow menthol, there's no need to worry if a small amount is consumed. Because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they can easily pick up the smell of menthol. Vet experts even warn that the harmful effects of Vicks vaporizer or humidifier can be pronounced in dogs. This behavior can be seen in both domestic and big cats. Even a small ingestion of these can cause damage to your cats red blood cells, leading to anemia or even death. Silence the Superstitions, Why Do Cats Purr When You Talk To Them? Dirty litter box There is no information available on the toxicity of e-cigarette capsules with menthol flavors, but the menthol part of the cartridge is not very toxic, unlike the nicotine which we know is very dangerous to your pets. Camphor is an extract. Why is my cat sniffing the floor and rolling around? And when we wont let them they dig my arm trying to get me to move it! A forum community dedicated to all pet owners and enthusiasts. Experts Weigh In, Are Black Cats More Vocal? 2 In cigarettes, menthol creates a cooling sensation in the throat and airways, making the smoke feel less harsh and easier to inhale. Normal sac material is a foul-smelling beige liquid, but if it's been too long since Misty's sacs were emptied, the material will be thick and brown. None of my other cats respond to it that way. However, catmint does not have the same effect. Normally, your cat would need to consume a significant amount of menthol before showing symptoms of menthol poisoning. I never thought about the cat liking mint stuff, maybe that explains why he insists on being in the bathroom when we brush our teeth and stuff? Menthol can also be produced in a lab. While the petMD teamdoes not recommend declawing, that practice was not included in this listas it is considered to be an extreme measureand not something that fit into our original concept for this piece. Like all toxins, it is dose-related, so a small amount for a big dog is not as significant as a large amount for a small dog. The FDA issued a warning about topical ointments that contain one specific drug, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen. Infrequently, xylitol may be found in cough drops. My cat doesnt like catnip oh, it has nothing to do with Menthol smelling like a mint. Vicks vaporub can be used as a substitute for catnip, so if your cat cant seem to stay away from Vicks vaporub, try putting out catnip instead. ASPCA Surpasses $200 Million in Grant Funding to Nationwide Organizations and Animal Welfare Groups. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. Brushing your cats teeth daily, or at least a few times each week, is the best way keep Kittys gums and teeth healthy and reduce the frequency of expensive, professional dental cleanings. Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers! I backed up and he leaned forward towards me and looked like he was going to lunge at me, mouth slightly open. Cats are not fond of anyone touching their precious pearly whites, and your cats reluctance to open wide may have convinced you that cat dentaltreats are enough to protect Kittys smile. This site is owned and operated by D Three Ltd. D Three Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you. Are ferns bad for health? Benson gets a little to aggressive around this smell. As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. You can also check out ASPCAs complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants (and herbs!) [And what to do? My cat seems to have a bit of difficulty breathing when she sleeps. Vicks VapoRub may be great for humans but for cats, it should be avoided, according to this site the concern is the camphor ingredient that is known to be toxic for cats. And, this is why some owners may assume it is OK. Cat flu is similar to a humans version of a cold. (Video) How To TREAT Cats Cold with Natural and Effective HERBAL Remedies, (Video) How to Clear Nasal Congestion in Kittens : Cat Health Care & Behavior, 2. Alcohol: Cats should never consume alcohol. There are plenty of exciting food treats, like freeze-dried meat, that your cat will love. Loosely screened windows can pose a hazard to curious cats. Even plain yogurt may cause stomach problems if not fed in moderation, so check out the vet-approved serving size first. But cats, like the rest of us, can experience subtle health shifts, from poor vision to kidney dysfunction. But, if it is a lot, in extreme cases, it could lead to a seizure or acting depressed. It relieves pain. So, when you use a strong-smelling ointment like this it can throw them off their scent. Is Vicks safe for cats to smell? Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so its not hard for them to find it. If your cat is congested, according to this site, a vaporizer is known to help with this. Tolly too LOVES mint and menthol. Any food not specifically formulated for cats can affect the digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Experts say it will be difficult to keep your cat away from the drug that has menthol on your knee because he's preoccupied with the smell, but if you let him hold onto your hind leg where the drug is, just hold it covered all the time He is there and wash your hands properly. Severe toxicity is unlikely from single acute exposures to such ointments. Ickink is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. Consult a vet to help you determine the best medication for decongesting your cat. Behavior marking, the cat's smell can be spread by rolling on the floor. Peppermint oil simply is not good for cats in any form. Author of Book: Secrets To Keep Your Cat Healthy With plenty of prescription flea and tick preventionandheartworm prevention products available,keeping your cat free of fleas and heartworms has never been easier. I've been fighting a wicked cold and I pulled out the good old Vick's and Stanley kept trying to steal it from me! . The side effects of Camphor for cats can vary depending on how much they come into contact with. Buckle your cats carrier in place for a safe road trip. If only small amounts of camphor are ingested, common side effects will include. Take your dog to the vet clinic as soon as possible so a medical professional can examine them. For help he always thinks it needs grooming, lol stored safely out of reach! 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