For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Then praise Misty and offer her a treat so she'll be happy to have you help her again in a month or two. Menthol has a scent similar to catnip. Menthol can also be produced in a lab. "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain.". Severe toxicity is unlikely from single acute exposures to such ointments. But lending a hand in grooming can greatly reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests, which means theres less to be processed or spewed up. Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. 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? Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. You will often find menthol in cleansers and washes designed for acne or other painful skin . This can be found in various products, such as Vicks Vaporub. Loosely screened windows can pose a hazard to curious cats. Are they safe for dogs? Consult a vet to help you determine the best medication for decongesting your cat. Menthol, which is commonly found in cough syrups for dogs, is considered an irritant to the tissues of the mouth and digestive tract. But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats. Keep a close check on your dog to see if anything out of the ordinary occurs or they are exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. Treatment options for camphor poisoning in cats include; This is a process of flushing out poisonous contents in the stomach in both pets and humans. A cat has a deficiency of the enzyme, glucuronyl transferase, resulting in a reduced ability to metabolize certain toxins. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Menthol topical side effects. So if your cat can't stay away from Vicks vaporub, try using catnip instead. Seek medical treatment immediately. Not all scents are harmful to kitties or will cause any kind of essential oil toxicity. And, if you know about catnip, you know that cats generally go crazy for it. If you grow mint in your garden, dont be shocked if it attracts cats. Unlocking The Mystery, Why Is My Black Cat Turning Brown? Many creams, including Bengay and Icy Hot, contain salicylates, which are derivatives of aspirin. Cats can be attracted to the smell for the same reason they are attracted to catnip. And if you've already tried using peppermint oil on your cat, you've learned that cats despise the smell as well. I never heard that catnip wasn't good for kittens, but I do know that they don't have any reaction to it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This helps your vet in making a proper diagnosis. Menthol is a great pain-reliever - for humans. The smell of Vicks is a strong smell coming from the use of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. In fact, all members of the allium familyincluding onions, leeks, scallions, and shallotsare toxic to felines. However, some dogs' sacs don't empty as they should. Thank you as always for your heartfelt and passionate comments. And when we wont let them they dig my arm trying to get me to move it! It is taken from Camphor trees, hence the reason its called camphor. If you want to use essential oils on your cat, ensure they are pet-approved. How Long Can Newborn Kittens Survive Without Their Mom? Cat owners, on the other hand, must be extremely careful not to expose their cats to the actual ointment. Cough severity in some individuals may be negatively influenced by the amount of menthol consumed via cough drops. Why are menthol cough drops bad? Some of them can be harmful, if not fatal, to cats. You are classed as their territory as well, by the way. Cats may be poisoned if they are restrained in containers or cages made of zinc-containing metals, or painted with zinc-rich paints. Some cat owners believe they are one of the same things. Most topical ointments used by humans contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot both contain a lot of menthol. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Are vaporizers safe for dogs and/or cats?. Cats are attracted to them for the same reason they are attracted to catnip - they are all members of the same family. If your veterinarian is unavailable or unequipped to handle the situation, call the nearest animal hospital or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680. Find out which herbs are safe for cats (and may even benefit them! Rose. I want to empty them myself to avoid taking her to the animal hospital so often. Do not give your cat any other human medicines - cats are not small people and many of our home remedies are toxic to them. When it comes to cough drop consumption in pets, obstruction may also be a concern depending on the number of drops ingested, the size of the pet and whether or not the wrappers were also ingested. If in doubt it best to check in with your vet. Home & Forums | While it may be cute that they want to lick our skin after application, these creams are actually toxic to cats. Cats can not only get drunk, but it can also easily cause severe liver and brain damage. Lions, tigers and other big cats are attracted to menthol, too. The best thing to do is to consult your vet if you have any doubt about it before you try and remedy the problem. Some of them can be harmful, if not fatal, to cats. Is a Vicks vaporizer safe to use around my cat? These toxins then build up in your cat's system and cause damage. Your cat may appear to hate you after using Vicks Vaporub for a couple of reasons. It relieves pain. If your cat is playing with it, its best to move it away from them or lock it away. However, every cat reacts differently to different herbs. Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs Level of toxicity: Generally mild to moderate Common signs to watch for: Local skin irritation Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Depression Seizures (in large amounts) Death (rarely, from respiratory depression or seizures) Alternate names: topical, Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks, VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, Arthritis Rub Alcohol: Cats should never consume alcohol. Raw Meat and Fish. Tarragon. Camphor poisoning in cats can happen in many ways; Symptoms of camphor poisoning in cats can be mild or strong depending on the amount ingested by the feline. Privacy Policy Legal Info, Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injury, 199 Dogs Were Killed at Iowa Puppy Mill in ONE Day. About TheCatSite.com. Most topical ointments humans use, contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot, both contain the menthol, and a lot of it. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats. If you feel the urge to give your cat a food treat, then give them one thats actually made for cats, and in moderation. This is what the cat owner was told. Occasionally, I also use a menthol ointment on my sore muscles. Vicks Vaporub can be used as a substitute for catnip. Salicylate is toxic to both dogs and cats, but it is especially dangerous to cats. The FDA issued a warning about topical ointments containing a specific drug, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen. Rosemary. My 8-yr old male is FeLeuk positive and we've had many trips to the vet in the past 6 weeks. Cats have a keen sense of smell, so it's not difficult for them to locate it. Most cough drops contain sugar, menthol, eucalyptus oil, colors and flavorall of which can cause gastrointestinal upset. Tuna has too much unsaturated fatty acid and does not have sufficient vitamin E or other antioxidants, whereas commercial cat foods usually supplement vitamin E. If you suspect your cat ate any of these foods, try to determine how much they may have eaten. Dr. Susan : Coconut oil is very fattening, so I would not recommend using this long term. 3 . Catnip is a plant that belongs to the mint family and is used to attract cats. In high doses, menthol side effects may include drowsiness, abdominal pain, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, ataxia and coma. This is especially important if your cat is displaying symptoms such as muscle tremors or repeated vomiting. . No, inhaling menthol vapor is not considered bad for cats. Do cats like cat mint? And, now you have an idea of what to look out for to confirm this. What Essential Oil Scents Are Safe for Cats, Fur Real? 3 Menthol is also used in other commercial tobacco . And Mint is in the same family as catnip and catmint. The side effects of Camphor for cats can vary depending on how much they come into contact with. Why does my cat hate me after I used Vicks Vaporub. Another herb used topically for its antibacterial properties is goldensealin other words, you might consider using this as a natural disinfectant on wounds. Q: My dog Misty had been licking and scooting her behind across the carpet, leaving a brown streak. Indoor cats can catch colds from contact with other cats, especially in households with multiple cats. Clean up with baby wipes and perhaps some grooming spray to soften the odor. As a general rule, cats are often more sensitive to the potentially toxic and other dangerous effects of essential oils and other scents than dogs are, but it very much depends on the scent, the delivery method, and the uniqueness of the pet. Normally, your cat would need to consume a significant amount of menthol before showing symptoms of menthol poisoning. The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. there isn't any reall smell he goes nuts over. I hope you enjoy any product or service that I recommend. Direct contact with eucalyptus oil on the skin can cause chemical burns in cats. 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. Ingesting enough of this herb can cause photosensitization in pets (ulcerative and exudative dermatitis). I actually have to fight him off to keep him away. [Describing the process would be too graphic for some newspaper readers, but there are instructional videos on YouTube.]. To empty them, you'll need exam gloves from the pharmacy and some lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly or Vaseline. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Pet owners (particularly cat parents) should be mindful when using essential oil diffusers, especially if the device is a so-called "active diffuser," a veterinarian in Ohio recently warned. Cats adore the scents of catnip and mint, and they will often seek it out if they detect it in your home. Garlic and chives are by and large the most dangerous herbs for your cat. It is important not to overdo it though, just a couple of minutes a day is enough to clear it up. Because cats communicate primarily through the way someone or something smells, they use scent glands on their cheeks, paws, and flanks to infuse them with their own scent. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. Why does my cat like the smell of Bengay? Most cats dislike travelingand resent being cooped up in their cat carriers, but a free-range cat in a moving vehicle can become a terrified, furry missile. Same family of plants. If your cat shows some cold symptoms you may be wondering if it has cat flu. We have to hide the baked ruffles in the cabinet with the childrens safety lock on it or he will get them lolsilly ole kitty lol. Camphor is an extract. Felines are self-groomingand their constantly busy tongues capture loose fur, which is then swallowed. Although it is not harmful if inhaled, it's worth noting that cats can go crazy for the scent. They are enamored with the smell, taste, texture, and everything in between. Despite the benefits of these fume-releasing machinery on humans, its is non-advisable to use them when Fido is around. This is because of the menthol and nutmeg oil which has been observed to cause side effects when inhaled by pets. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. Find out more about my story. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. There is often some confusion around catmint and catnip. To put it in perspective, a typical cough drop contains between 5 and 10 mg of menthol. If your cat is congested, after consulting your vet, you can use some natural methods to help with congestion. Still have questions about cats or want to share some experience with your cat friend, why not join us on Facebook with other cat lovers? Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for more info. Long haired queen, are kittens latching . Check out Baxter's Backyard for our blogs on Pet Training, Pet Tavel, Pet Health, Pet News, Pet How To, and more! Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. But, for the purpose of this article that is enough. But is camphor in Vicks vaposteam safe for cats? Experts say it will be difficult to keep your cat away from your knee where you place the medication because yes, he's obsessed with the smell, but if you let your cat hold onto your hind leg where the medication is, hold on Just keep it covered whenever he's around, and always wash your hands thoroughly. Cats have been known to love the smell of menthol. A: Menthol is derived from mint leaves, and many cats have a gene that attracts them to mint. I'm just curious if anyone elses cats love the smell of menthol products as much as my cats do? Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so its not hard for them to find it. Yes, Vicks vapor rub could hurt your cat. Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. No, coconut oil is not toxic. Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers! Also, Vicks vaposteam can be added in humidifiers to eliminate dryness in the air and improve symptoms of flu or the common cold. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! with being understanding, but when she attacked my husband one night, and he is ticklish, I was laughing so hard, I couldn't even help him! This is another reason why some cat owners avoid ointments that contain this, such as Vicks VaporRub, which has it as one of its active ingredients. Cats absorb and filter nutrients much differently than humans. I did have a cat that loved my friends hair. Menthol can also function as a topical analgesic or pain reliever in certain skincare products. Some cats develop skin problems when they come into contact with camphor oil. Toxic for cats to inhale no idea smell of Vicks is used for treating congestion Is the smell of Vicks bad for cats? Yes, cats like the smell of menthol and other similar minty scents. 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). 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! When Misty's sacs fill, the uncomfortable swelling causes her to lick herself and scoot on the ground in an attempt to empty them. They dont mind the smell of mint. If your dog ate something containing menthol, call your vet and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. There are others included, classed as inactive. 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