Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath . Since cats like menthol, they are fascinated by it and enjoy sniffing it. However, some dogs' sacs don't empty as they should. It is not regarded as a serious concern for adult cats. Is mint safe for cats? One method is steam. JavaScript is disabled. Still scooping? This behavior can be seen in both domestic and big cats. Menthol is poisonous because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. This may involve hospitalization, intravenous fluids, monitoring of organ function via repeated blood testing, and other measures as indicated by the specific circumstances. Eucalyptus is known to be bad for cats. One of my cats have a thing for under-arm deodorant! If you are concerned that your cat has a cold you may be keen to understand what signs or symptoms to look out for. Excess Vicks vaposteam poisoning can have adverse effects on a cat. (Not all cats carry the catnip-reacting gene.). Please tell me how to accomplish this. But many cats love mint and mint-scented products because of the similar scent of mint to catnip. This is another reason why some cat owners steer clear of it. If a cat likes a smell, it can become obsessive. Infrequently, xylitol may be found in cough drops. Please consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist first before adding these foods to your cat's diet.There is risk of vomiting, diarrhea, Salmonella or E. coli with these foods for some animals, especially when given improperly. The higher the altitude, the more aromatic the plant will . Cough suppressants and cough drops are common remedies to keep us going throughout our days when we start to feel a cold coming on, and although these remedies often resemble our favorite hard candies, some of the ingredients in cough drops can be potentially dangerous to our pets. Tuna as an ingredient in commercially produced cat food is perfectly fine for cats. Author and mom of 3 fur babies:Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers!Author of the book:Secrets to keep your cat healthyLearn more aboutmy story, Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374, Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing. Menthol inhibits acid-induced inflammation and relieves discomfort. One thing you can try, if your cat keeps messing with your VapoRub, is to offer some catnip instead to distract it from it. 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. There is often some confusion around catmint and catnip. Here's what you should know, Safety of Cats and Essential Oils - Tisserand Institute, Is Vicks VapoSteam safe for cats? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It helps us breathe better and recover faster from the sniffles. Chocolate The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. Pine Adult cats are lactose intolerant, but they can eat plain Greek yogurt. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. 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. 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, menthol gavage clearly relieved the unpleasant sensation caused by acid treatment, as those mice showed an increase in both body weight (Fig. If you have any difficulty, ask your veterinarian for help. Causes and Solutions. But its regarded as toxic for them if it is ingested. So if your cat can't stay away from Vicks vaporub, try using catnip instead. Privacy -Designed by Thrive Themes Interesting !!! Some of them can be harmful, if not fatal, to cats. Typically, your cat would have to consume a significant amount of menthol before exhibiting any menthol poisoning symptoms. Oregano. This may be the reason why your cat may seem intrigued with the menthol in the Vicks VaporRub. What Essential Oil Scents Are Safe for Cats, Fur Real? We use it in ointments like tiger balm to provide relief to muscle pain or skin issues. Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family Lamiaceae. Tarragon. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Can you just give the catnip like straight out of the bag to them ..? However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath fresheners, and creams, lotions, or ointments for alleviating pain. Home & Forums | Talk to your veterinarian if you have to clean up more than one or two a month. The articles published on this blog are for informational purposes only. Because of this, it can lead them to lick on your skin or the product directly. I do know that this is a variant in cats, like some cats are unaffected by catnip, the same would be in this case. An unconfined cat is distracting to the driver, and vulnerable to injury or escape. If you use Vicks VapoRub for a cold, or something else, you may wonder if it is OK to use it around your cat. When your cathacks up a hairball, you probably just sigh in annoyancethats how cats are, right?and clean up the mess. Because menthol smells similar to catnip, cats enjoy menthol-scented products or mint plants. Why does my cat hate me after I used Vicks Vaporub. Some cats may be deterred by the smell of Vicks. Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. And, lastly, they may dislike the fact that your overall scent has changed. Camphor in Vicks vaposteam is safe for humans. Alcohol: Cats should never consume alcohol. Experts Weigh In, Are Black Cats More Vocal? Message and data rates may apply. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. In addition to the essential oils that you buy individually, they often appear in other household products such as paint thinner (turpentine is an essential oil) and insect repellent, which has a high risk of fatal reactions for cats, noted . Catnip is a member of the. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Your indoor kittys reaction to the great outdoors might be curiosity, confusion, or fright. menthol topical may cause serious side effects. An annual vet exam can pinpoint the start of any health concerns and treat minor issues before they become major issues. To be honest, I found it quite effective. Herbs have many culinary and medicinal benefitsand not just for humans! 5 A) and food consumption (Fig. Find out more about my story. I like its coolness, so I buy shower gel and skin creams that contain menthol. If your cat has a mild flea infestation, a comb through with a stiff comb dipped in water and non-toxic liquid dish detergent could fix things. Ok ummI put some goldbond on my hands for excema (has menthol in it) and went to pet simba ( new kitty). 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. 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. Specially, they think cats are attracted to the chlorine in bleach. Copyright 2022 by Feline Follower. So, now you know it is not a good idea. Essential oils and animals can be a harmful combination. Other essential oils safe for pets include mountain savory, cinnamon bark, Laurus nobilis, and lavender. (Find out now!) Consumption can cause heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, or seizures. Luckily she is a HUGE cat lover and didn't really mind. Salicylates, the generic name for aspirin, are found in both Bengay and Icy Hot. Vicks Vaporub can be used as a substitute for catnip. Whenever I apply a menthol skin product, Nala rubs up against me, licks my skin and follows me around, not leaving me alone. I want to empty them myself to avoid taking her to the animal hospital so often. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. Take your dog to the vet clinic as soon as possible so a medical professional can examine them. Why is my cat sniffing the floor and rolling around? Why are menthol cough drops bad? This can be found in various products, such as Vicks Vaporub. What are the potential side effects? Call your veterinarian, or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680. The darker the chocolate is, the more dangerous it is to your cat and death can occur if enough is consumed. 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. Unfortunate-because menthol sprays could relieve arthritis pain in elderly dogs. This is one of several essential oils that are known to be toxic to cats. (Video) My Cat or Kitten Is Congested - What Can I Do? It often contains herbal or plant-based substances but has various uses. 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. Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family Labiatae. Pure menthol is poisonous and not for internal consumption. She is a medium hair cat. All rights reserved.The ASPCA is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization. Imagine having lungs and sinuses like a car, much more sensitive than humans'. 2 In cigarettes, menthol creates a cooling sensation in the throat and airways, making the smoke feel less harsh and easier to inhale. This pungent herb is known to transform lazy (read: chubby) cats into the feline equivalent of Richard Simmons. Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. Some people believe that cats are naturally crazy. Felines are masters at concealing their ills and compensating for problems. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. 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