Dr. Susan : It can act as a laxative to some degree, so you may see some loose stool or diarrhea as a result. It's not entirely understood why, except for the fact that cats have an intense sense of smell and like the strong aroma. Cats love the smell of both catnip and menthol, and they often gravitate towards it if they smell it in your house. 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. If you have ever been sick with a cold or flu as a kid you may remember your mom applying this to your chest. Most topical pain creams and ointments contain wintergreen or menthol in their formula, and both Bengay and Icy Hot contain a lot of menthol. for cats. Effects Ingestion or prolonged exposure to camphor can have toxic effects on the liver, causing a backup of bodily waste known as bactericemia. Caveat: Its important to note that if a cat consumes large quantities of catnip (or any garden mint variety), he may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Cats can become lactose intolerant when they become adults. If ignored, impacted sacs can become infected or rupture, causing bleeding and pain. ZooAwesome should not be considered as an alternative to professional vet advice. Your cat likes Vicks vaporub because it smells like catnip and cats are attracted to it. Vicks vaporizer or humidifier is not safe for pets, especially cats and dogs. In addition, cats claw may help modulate the immune system, while dandelion root can help promote healthy digestion and liver detoxification. Further research into potential mechanisms is warranted. Catnip is a member of the. Always consult a licensed veterinarian if you have any health or behavior concerns about your pets. Tolly too LOVES mint and menthol. Because the scent of menthol is similar to that of catnip, cats enjoy it. Unfortunate-because menthol sprays could relieve arthritis pain in elderly dogs. The arnica plant, Arnica montana is an alpine plant, related to the common daisy, grows in meadows up to 3,000 metres above sea level, where it is exposed to strong sunlight. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Menthol attracts lions, tigers and other big cats. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. YourCat is obsessed with mintbecause it is often confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! Some cats. The articles published on this blog are for informational purposes only. He will however come up and steal bites of my food if I don't pay attention, he loves pop tarts, turkey, rice krispie treats, ice cream of any flavor just to name a few :lol: my dad claims he isn't a softy to animals but we caught him feeding our cat yogurt with a spoon he was sharing. This is one of several essential oils that are known to be toxic to cats. Chocolate The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. And when we wont let them they dig my arm trying to get me to move it! Tuna as an ingredient in commercially produced cat food is perfectly fine for cats. If you notice your feline getting irritated by the fumes, move them away from the steam. Your cat seems healthy. Pet parents may be surprised to learn that there are a number of herbs safe for cats. It should be obvious but some owners may struggle to notice it. Some medications contain camphor oil to help in decongesting the lungs and address various inflammation issues. And, now you have an idea of what to look out for to confirm this. 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? What are the side effects of Camphor for cats? Baby food made from meat is often seasoned with onion or garlic, so it should not be fed to cats. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath . 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. If your cat is congested, after consulting your vet, you can use some natural methods to help with congestion. Pine It is taken from Camphor trees, hence the reason its called camphor. Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the chin. Redhaired103 6 yr. ago. Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets, especially to cats. I actually have to fight him off to keep him away. The smell is banned from the house unless we can lock ourselves away. Some cats may be deterred by the smell of Vicks. i'll have to test that. The theory is that you can wipe it on an item you want to keep them from. In cosmetics and skincare products, menthol is used to help relieve pain and to improve the scent and flavour of the product. Eating any type of onion on a regular basis could causeanemia. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. Menthol is made from a mint, just as catnip is. But some pet parents have reported that their cats developed side effects from inhaling vaposteam. Celebrate National Biscuit Day with These Delicious Pet Treats! Jan 29, 2011 #3 jazzythecat TCS Member Super Cat Joined Apr 4, 2010 Messages 1,007 Purraise 10 Location Playing with Jazzy & Ginga. Cat Articles | Indoor cats can catch colds from contact with other cats, especially in households with multiple cats. Your cat's olfactory receptors are 14 times more powerful than your own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article will talk about why cats like menthol and if it's safe for them. A small amount of onion or garlic in some sauce is not likely to cause problems. 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. Cats can tolerate the smell of these plants, but consuming them in any form can cause problems. Vicks vaposteam is a great product for giving us relief from the flu. Secondly, her War on Menthol is kinda bizarre. there isn't any reall smell he goes nuts over. Their active ingredient, menthol, can result in an overdose in extremely high amounts, but these are hard to get from eating even large quantities of cough drops. If the discharge is bloody, Misty should see her veterinarian. But, to their owner, they will appear to be quite ill and cause concern. If you use Vicks VapoRub for a cold, or something else, you may wonder if it is OK to use it around your cat. But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats. Arnica is one of the most popular homeopathic remedies used - in both humans and animals. Firstly, they just genuinely dislike the smell. 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! Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so its not hard for them to find it. 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. Catnip is a member of the mint family, thus it has many of the same qualities as mint. (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. Raw Meat and Fish. The ointment in Vicks Vaposteam is known to contain camphor. To use it, heat some water in a bowl to create some steam and place it on an available counter or even on the floor if that is more convenient. There are human medications that are completely safe for pets. Explained! This behavior can be observed in both domestic and large cats. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Ginga is the worse out of my two, they both normally rub and bite softly though, I let them do that on my feet, doesn't hurt as much. Warm, moist air will open up her nasal passages and let her breathe easier. 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 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. So, to be safe, it is best avoided. (Video) My Cat or Kitten Is Congested - What Can I Do? JavaScript is disabled. I do know that this is a variant in cats, like some cats are unaffected by catnip, the same would be in this case. Cough severity in some individuals may be negatively influenced by the amount of menthol consumed via cough drops. Cats rely heavily on their scent for identification and claiming their territory. 11 Holiday Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Cat. Eucalyptus My dog hates the smell of eucalyptus. 5 B). Pet Toxicology Camphor is found under many common trade names including Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, and others. 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? Well I have the flu, and a tissue is the only thing I had to let him take his psycho-ness out on lol. Consult a vet to help you determine the best medication for decongesting your cat. She eats well, looks good, and hasnt changed her activity level. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. Normally, this occurs with each bowel movement as a scent signal for other dogs. . Does bleach make cats act weird? 3 Menthol is also used in other commercial tobacco . I'm not sure about menthol, but I think it comes from a tree??? Find out more about my story. Camphor is easily absorbed through the skin and should never be used on dogs or cats due to the risk of poisoning. Do cats like the smell of the Vicks VapoRub? According to Wikipedia, It is a menthol-based ointment used for colds, muscular pain, or even for treating mosquito bites. The berries contain sapogenins, which are toxic to cats and can immediately cause irritation and gastrointestinal upset. If only small amounts of camphor are ingested, common side effects will include. Menthol Can Cause Problems For Your Cat. Stop using menthol topical and call your doctor at once if you have: severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation . Because of this, it can lead them to lick on your skin or the product directly. Why does my cat hate me after I used Vicks Vaporub. Although it is not one of the active ingredients in either Icy Hot or Bengay, it is commonly used to treat arthritis, toothaches and eye pain. They have their own weird behaviors that no one can understand, but one that's particularly intriguing is why cats go crazy for menthol. But plaque buildupeventually turns to tartar, which can lead to pain and even tooth loss down the road. It may be confusing if your cat catches a cold when they stay in all the time, right? Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injurydepending on the amount present in the drops and how many were ingested. Why are menthol cough drops bad? These machines release water vapor into the air in the form of fumes that can be very helpful for humans. Thyme. Yes, cats like the smell of menthol and other similar minty scents. Benzocaine most often causes gastrointestinal upset; however, benzocaine is metabolized into compounds which are capable of causing methemoglobinemia at high doses. Buckle your cats carrier in place for a safe road trip. So why is camphor in Vicks vaposteam a threat to cats? Too cute! Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath fresheners, and creams, lotions, or ointments for alleviating pain. Q: My dog Misty had been licking and scooting her behind across the carpet, leaving a brown streak. I did have a cat that loved my friends hair. But, most homes will identify with it being used for colds. Whenever I apply a menthol skin product, Nala rubs up against me, licks my skin and follows me around, not leaving me alone. The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. Are ferns bad for health? 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. Menthol is safe to inhale, but it is toxic if consumed in large quantities. It can even cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body's fat, when fed to cats on a regular basis. Dr. Susan : You can also try an antihistamine . However, several cats have died as a result of exposure to flurbiprofen. How Long Can Newborn Kittens Survive Without Their Mom? Your cat may appear to hate you after using Vicks Vaporub for a couple of reasons. Many creams, including Bengay and Icy Hot, contain salicylates, which are aspirin derivatives. Methemoglobinemia is a form of anemia that can cause symptoms such as: depression, weakness, rapid breathing, discoloration of skin and mucous membranes, jaundice, vomiting, hypothermia or the swelling of face or jaw. 5. Other harmful ingredients used in topical products like Vicks include: A pet owner who loves to share useful facts and information about a variety of animals. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Some are even fatal. I didn't know about that and I gave some to my cats when they were around 5 months old. Required fields are marked *. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. So, now you know more about it. An inquisitive tabby poking her nose into that roasted chicken cooling on the countertop may be annoying, but she does not deserve to be treated like a feline Frisbee. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. We can lock ourselves away a couple of reasons signal for other dogs infected rupture. Inflammation issues hasnt changed her activity level waste known as bactericemia mosquito bites Day with Delicious., health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and from! Secondly, her War on menthol is used to help you determine best... Any reall smell he goes nuts over system, while dandelion root can promote. 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