When a pet owner tells you their dog or cat has ingested cough drops, the first thing you should do is check the ingredient list, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. You don't have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. I hope you enjoy any product or service that I recommend. You might even consider planting a few of these herbs as a cute little cat garden. Menthol is common in products like Ben Gay and other creams like Vicks vapor rub. He started absolutely freaking out! Their bodies no longer produce enough lactase to digest milkespecially cows milk. Why does my cat like the smell of Bengay? Catnip is a member of the. Another ingredient in Vicks Vaposteam is menthol. These machines release water vapor into the air in the form of fumes that can be very helpful for humans. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Call your veterinarian for specific advice; in some cases, small quantities are not likely to be a problem, but larger quantities may require you to take her in to see your veterinarian. Peppermint oil simply is not good for cats in any form. However, this is what they regard as the active ingredients. | Powered by WordPress. My cat doesnt like catnip oh, it has nothing to do with Menthol smelling like a mint. I have had the same effect when using BenGay. If you have ever been sick with a cold or flu as a kid you may remember your mom applying this to your chest. There's still a way you and your little feline can enjoy a meow-nificent, aromatic home. They love the smell, the taste, the texture . The side effects of Camphor for cats can vary depending on how much they come into contact with. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. Most cough drops contain sugar, menthol, eucalyptus oil, colors, and flavorsall ingredients that may cause gastrointestinal upset. Arnica for cats. Excess camphor oil can cause deadly seizures that result in the death of a cat. I too use Goldbond and my Stumpy tries to lick it off my hands every time I apply it. How Long Can Newborn Kittens Survive Without Their Mom? Dusty want a sniff it and she then backed away with a disgusted look on her face. Are vaporizers safe for dogs and/or cats?. I'm not sure about menthol, but I think it comes from a tree??? When Misty's sacs fill, the uncomfortable swelling causes her to lick herself and scoot on the ground in an attempt to empty them. Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Pet parents may be surprised to learn that there are a number of herbs safe for cats. Unfortunately, Vicks vaposteam is unsafe for cats. So, even though they live with the smell it is not safe for them to lick on it. This behavior can be observed in both domestic and large cats. Specially, they think cats are attracted to the chlorine in bleach. If a cat likes a scent, it can become obsessional. Watch out for gastrointestinal problems if you suspect your cat has ingested a significant amount of menthol. This can pose a risk for aspiration and may become a choking hazard, particularly in those pets that may be more susceptible to aspiration. Occasionally, I also use a menthol ointment on my sore muscles. If your cat is congested, after consulting your vet, you can use some natural methods to help with congestion. Most cough drops contain sugar, menthol, eucalyptus oil, colors and flavorall of which can cause gastrointestinal upset. That's so funny that you brought it up! Basil, tea tree, oregano, and clove are all safe for your cat. Wrong. Consult a vet to help you determine the best medication for decongesting your cat. 3 Menthol is also used in other commercial tobacco . Humidifiers are safe for cats. Top Ten Tips on How to Keep Your Cats Teeth Clean, Four Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Entertained While Youre Away, 6 Things You Should Never Do When Adopting a Cat, Top 3 Things You Should Know About the Bengal Cat, Leaving Your Cat Alone: 9 Things You Need to Know, Senior Cats: A Few Things To Keep In Mind, 6 Things To Know About Flea Dips for Cats. Generally, menthol is said to be drying just like alcohol. Behavioral Marking, The cats scent can be spread by rolling on the ground. Thank you as always for your heartfelt and passionate comments. Benzocaine most often causes gastrointestinal upset; however, benzocaine is metabolized into compounds which are capable of causing methemoglobinemia at high doses. One method is steam. Normally, your cat would need to consume a significant amount of menthol before showing symptoms of menthol poisoning. Not all scents are harmful to kitties or will cause any kind of essential oil toxicity. Menthol is a chemical compound found naturally in peppermint and other similar plants. It helps soothe pain. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. 11 Holiday Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Cat. I know the dogs dont like vicks, Last time i was sick Tanner was being a pest so i let him smell it and he made the funniest face. 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 You must log in or register to reply here. Its in all forms of chocolate, and most concentrated in dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. However, menthol gavage clearly relieved the unpleasant sensation caused by acid treatment, as those mice showed an increase in both body weight (Fig. So far we have established that camphor is harmful to your cat and dog when ingested or comes into contact with the skin. Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers! As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. They like it for a bit, but not too crazily, not like minty stuff and olives and celery. Its amusing to see what cats find interesting and go crazy over. All members of the onion family can cause problems if eaten in sufficient quantity. I just tossed it at him. To keep the big cats happy, many zoos apply Vicks VapoRub to surfaces in their cat enclosures. Well I have the flu, and a tissue is the only thing I had to let him take his psycho-ness out on lol. And, this is why some owners may assume it is OK. Cat flu is similar to a humans version of a cold. None of my other cats respond to it that way. This is especially important if your cat is displaying symptoms such as muscle tremors or repeated vomiting. This pungent herb is known to transform lazy (read: chubby) cats into the feline equivalent of Richard Simmons. Infrequently, xylitol may be found in cough drops. How about vaporizers? Menthol has a fragrance that is similar to catnip. Cats can be attracted to the smell for the exact reason they're attracted to cat mint. Yes, Vicks vapor rub could hurt your cat. Most of these medications are for treating pain and inflammation in the body. Most cats dislike traveling and resent being cooped up in their cat carriers, but a free-range cat in a moving vehicle can become a terrified, furry missile. As a result, cat owners must exercise extreme caution and avoid exposing their feline to the actual ointment, as some can be harmful to felines. Our goal was for cat owners to enhance those often-overlooked, common instances with increased presence and concern via suggestions from our experts. It's amusing to see what cats find interesting and go crazy. Your cat likes Vicks Vaporub because it smells like catnip and cats are attracted to it. 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. The smell of Vicks is a strong smell coming from the use of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. Can you just give the catnip like straight out of the bag to them ..? Why is my cat sniffing the ground and rolling over? What about inhaling the steam from a Vicks vaposteam? My husband rubbed some Flexall 454 on my back. What are the potential side effects? The higher the altitude, the more aromatic the plant will . Effects Ingestion or prolonged exposure to camphor can have toxic effects on the liver, causing a backup of bodily waste known as bactericemia. I am getting over a cold now and was just using vicks - my kitties didn't bother me. My 8-yr old male is FeLeuk positive and we've had many trips to the vet in the past 6 weeks. And, for that reason, it is best to keep it away from cats. Another herb used topically for its antibacterial properties is goldensealin other words, you might consider using this as a natural disinfectant on wounds. Chocolate also contains caffeine. Cats can not only get drunk, but it can also easily cause severe liver and brain damage. However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. The menthol is usually diluted. 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? (Video) My Cat or Kitten Is Congested - What Can I Do? But, if it is a lot, in extreme cases, it could lead to a seizure or acting depressed. 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. Most cats react to menthol. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. Always supervise the amount of loose catnip or catnip buds your cat is exposed to. Cat Pee On Your Fabric Couch? Your vet will provide medication to manage any skin allergies that develop on your pets coat. To be honest, I found it quite effective. Keep Kitty safely harnessed, leashed, and reassured by your presence when outdoors, for her peace of mindand yours. Your cat's olfactory receptors are 14 times more powerful than your own. Felines are masters at concealing their ills and compensating for problems. Ensure that your window screens are sturdy and limit window openings to an inch or two when youre not around to keep Kitty safely indoors. Mint. They are in love with the smell, taste, texture and everything in between. For example, cats that experience recurrent upper respiratory infections may benefit from echinacea. In general, cough drops cannot cause an overdose and are safe to use. Direct contact should be avoided as it can be irritating. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injurydepending on the amount present in the drops and how many were ingested. But, for the purpose of this article that is enough. Never try to understand cats and what they do. Is menthol bad for dogs? Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. 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). Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. It can even cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body's fat, when fed to cats on a regular basis. And Mint is in the same family as catnip and catmint. Always consult with a licensed and credible veterinarian for pet related concerns. While the vapor may cause mild irritation to the nose and lungs of cats, the irritation is usually minor and of short duration. Alcohol: Cats should never consume alcohol. Some medications contain camphor oil to help in decongesting the lungs and address various inflammation issues. Many cats express dislike for the smell of peppermint and may not even want it. 5 A) and food consumption (Fig. for cats. Dirty litter box Excess Vicks vaposteam poisoning can have adverse effects on a cat. This can be found in various products, such as Vicks Vaporub. If you grow mint in your garden, don't be shocked if it attracts cats. LMAO. If you have not heard of a vaporizer before it is used to create inhalable vapor. This could be from the air they consume or even through the water. Catnip is a member of the mint family, thus it has many of the same qualities as mint. Your email address will not be published. So, when you use a strong-smelling ointment like this it can throw them off their scent. Camphor is easily absorbed through the skin and should never be used on dogs or cats due to the risk of poisoning. But, this is quite common and similar to how we humans pick up colds. Felines are self-groomingand their constantly busy tongues capture loose fur, which is then swallowed. there isn't any reall smell he goes nuts over. Dairy: Despite popular belief, cats that are no . Because we reap so many benefits from Vicks vaposteam, we may want to use it on our pets when they suffer muscle pain or inflammation. The FDA issued a warning about topical ointments that contain one specific drug, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen. Are they safe for dogs? The greatest concern with menthol exposure in cats is if the substance is ingested. Salicylate is toxic to both dogs and cats, but it's especially dangerous to cats. An unconfined cat is distracting to the driver, and vulnerable to injury or escape. Chemical burns and other toxic effects can occur if a cat licks up eucalyptus oil spills. If your cat is congested, according to this site, a vaporizer is known to help with this. This is another reason why some cat owners steer clear of it. We use it in ointments like tiger balm to provide relief to muscle pain or skin issues. Indoor cats can catch colds from contact with other cats, especially in households with multiple cats. Menthol is not safe for cats and you should protect from ingesting products containing menthol. Catnip is a plant that belongs to the mint family and is used to attract cats. Message and data rates may apply. I like its coolness, so I buy shower gel and skin creams that contain menthol. Cats can tolerate the smell of these plants, but consuming them in any form can cause issues. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Although it is not one of the active ingredients in either Icy Hot or Bengay, it is commonly used to treat arthritis, dental, and eye pain. Cats are curious creatures that love to sniff around and have a very good sense of smell. Your email address will not be published. The following herbs for cats may not offer medicinal benefits, but they are flavorful and considered safe for felines: Lets end with the obvious: catnip! Certain scents that cats dislike can be used to repel them, while others that they prefer can be used to attract them. like my Ari, go crazy over the scent. The menthol is most likely burning when he sniffs it in, not to mention it is a very strong smell that he isn't used to in his environment, so it's going to rile him up. This helps your vet in making a proper diagnosis. Wintergreen, peppermint, spearmint and mint. Will have to do a test on my kitties. With plenty of prescription flea and tick preventionandheartworm prevention products available,keeping your cat free of fleas and heartworms has never been easier. 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. Are ferns bad for health? Is a Vicks vaporizer safe to use around my cat? Seek medical treatment immediately. In the case of mild camphor poisoning, like vomiting and diarrhea, the vet provides supportive treatment and let the symptoms die down within hours. But how about our pets? This herb is used topically for its anti-inflammatory properties. I'm just curious if anyone elses cats love the smell of menthol products as much as my cats do? "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain.". . Editors Note: The slideshow 8 Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat was not created as a definitive and complete guide to cat care, but rather as a reminder of the small daily interactions many established cat owners have with their beloved companions. 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