Most topical pain creams and ointments contain wintergreen or menthol in their formula, and both Bengay and Icy Hot are high in menthol. If you have ever wondered what VapoRub contained you now have an idea of the main ingredients. The articles published on this blog are for informational purposes only. This is another reason why some cat owners steer clear of it. Unlocking The Mystery, Why Is My Black Cat Turning Brown? 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. None of my other cats respond to it that way. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. About TheCatSite.com. But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats. It has potential toxic effects and . Essential oils and animals can be a harmful combination. Most topical pain creams and ointments contain wintergreen or menthol in their formula, and both Bengay and Icy Hot contain a lot of menthol. Are ferns bad for health? Download : Download high-res image (665KB) Download : Download full-size image; Fig. There are human medications that are completely safe for pets. 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. Cough drops can be helpful for a sore throat or a nagging cough. To be honest, I found it quite effective. I'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you. (Find out now!) This is especially important if your cat is displaying symptoms such as muscle tremors or repeated vomiting. But, most homes will identify with it being used for colds. Chocolate The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. . 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 have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. Camphor is an organic compound used in creams, lotions, and ointments. Normally, this occurs with each bowel movement as a scent signal for other dogs. If menthol were so bad, dermatologists and chemists wouldn't be putting it in products. However, any mint or camphor essential oil becomes toxic to our pets when these get onto their skin. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. USA pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5% zinc. Cats are only harmed by menthol if they consume large amounts of the herb, which is rare. Cats are curious creatures that love to sniff around and have a very good sense of smell. Cats love the smell of both catnip and menthol, and they often gravitate towards it if they smell it in your house. Benson gets a little to aggressive around this smell. Menthol is poisonous because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Because the fragrance of menthol is similar to that of catnip, cats enjoy it. If you suspect your cat has ingested a large amount of menthol, look out for gastrointestinal problems. Camphor is an extract. According to Vicks, it contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. It is important not to overdo it though, just a couple of minutes a day is enough to clear it up. Simply dampen cotton balls with witch hazel and wipe your cats chin once or twice a day. Kramer doesn't like the smell of menthol and will leave me alone if he smells it anywhere on me. Even the simplest oversight may have big consequences on your cats well being and quality of life. But, if it is a lot, in extreme cases, it could lead to a seizure or acting depressed. Menthol Can Cause Problems For Your Cat. As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. 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. Warm, moist air will open up her nasal passages and let her breathe easier. Menthol is not safe for cats and you should protect from ingesting products containing menthol. He started rubbing his face all over my couch like a psycho, rolling around, and swatting at me, and trying to nibble my hand. The theory is that you can wipe it on an item you want to keep them from. Cats are often attracted to menthol smells. You are classed as their territory as well, by the way. And does anyone know why they love it so much? Menthol reduces the feeling of respiratory discomfort . Because menthol smells similar to catnip, cats enjoy menthol-scented products or mint plants. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. Uncovering the truth behind the popular Mexican-American dish - Mexicali Blue, The 12 Best Child Prodigy Movies | Movies about geniuses, How to Build an App Like Snapchat in 2022 (A Complete Guide), Cunto paga YouTube en Mxico En pesos MXN , How Hackers Profile Victims for Social Media Engineering Attacks, Laufzeit vs. Lebensdauer: Akku laden - 100 Prozent sind nicht immer optimal, Common Load Cell Types ANYLOAD Weigh & Measure, Why do I crave rice? 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. Tuna as an ingredient in commercially produced cat food is perfectly fine for cats. Menthol is toxic because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Numerous chemicals had been isolated from bracken ferns. 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! So, now you know some of the potential effects to look out for. I actually have to fight him off to keep him away. Here's what you should know, Safety of Cats and Essential Oils - Tisserand Institute, Is Vicks VapoSteam safe for cats? Vicks vaporizer or humidifier is not safe for pets, especially cats and dogs. Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden. Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you. If your cat goes outside, avoid growing St. Johns Wort where he can consume it. A lack of thiamine can cause serious neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma. Cat Pee On Your Fabric Couch? He only licks it like crazy if I'm holding him on my shoulder. You don't have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. Just like poisoning in humans, the key to reacting to poisoning in your pet is to act fast. Camphor in Vicks vaposteam is safe for humans. Will have to do a test on my kitties. All these chemicals and oils are toxic to dogs. While you don't want your cat to swallow menthol, there's no need to worry if a small amount is consumed. 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. 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 Think your cat longs to explore all of springtimes splendors on her own? The stems, leaves, and flowers of the mint contain high contents of essential oils, which are not safe for cats. Required fields are marked *. Rosemary. Fat trimmings can also causepancreatitisin cats. This herb, which belongs to the mint family, contains an essential oil called nepetalactone that drives many cats wild. 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. 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). For example, one of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub. While you certainly do not want your cat to consume menthol, there is no reason to be alarmed if your cat consumes a small amount. This can pose a risk for aspiration and may become a choking hazard, particularly in those pets that may be more susceptible to aspiration. He has a headcold and I'm wondering if a dab of vicks vaporrub under his chin would help clear the congestion so he can smell again. 6. Although getting sick is sometimes unavoidable, you shouldnt forget about your furry friends as you stock your medicine cabinet this year. These are all members of the same family. 5. Clinicians should include cough drop use in history taking of patients with persisting cough illnesses. Steam from heated water has great effects on human colds as well as cats. Is mint safe for cats? All members of the onion family can cause problems if eaten in sufficient quantity. They love the smell, the taste, the texture . But, to their owner, they will appear to be quite ill and cause concern. Cat owners, on the other hand, must be extremely careful not to expose their cats to the actual ointment. 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! Dusty want a sniff it and she then backed away with a disgusted look on her face. Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Even plain yogurt may cause stomach problems if not fed in moderation, so check out the vet-approved serving size first. If it is applied to their skin or injected it can lead to chemical burns or other unwanted toxic effects. So, even though they live with the smell it is not safe for them to lick on it. Also, catnip has well-known effects on cats. i'll have to test that. ], How to Learn K-Pop Dances: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide - ononestudios.com, 7 VA Disability Tips and Easiest Things to Claim for VA Disability | Fight4Vets. Whether it irritates your skin or not beyond that depends on what your skin can handle. 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. However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. But, in fact, they are actually two different plants. However, this is what they regard as the active ingredients. Clean up with baby wipes and perhaps some grooming spray to soften the odor. Your cat likes Vicks vaporub because it smells like catnip and cats are attracted to it. But many cats love mint and mint-scented products because of the similar scent of mint to catnip. This is what the cat owner was told. Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family Labiatae. 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. Cats can be attracted to the smell for the exact reason they're attracted to cat mint. These machines release water vapor into the air in the form of fumes that can be very helpful for humans. Keep a watch out for any gastrointestinal troubles if you suspect your cat took a substantial amount of menthol. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your fave feline. Some medications contain camphor oil to help in decongesting the lungs and address various inflammation issues. Cats may be poisoned if they are restrained in containers or cages made of zinc-containing metals, or painted with zinc-rich paints. While German chamomile is considered safe, English/Garden/Roman/True chamomile can cause contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and allergic reactions in pets. like my Ari, go crazy over the scent. Also, Vicks vaposteam can be added in humidifiers to eliminate dryness in the air and improve symptoms of flu or the common cold. According to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), the first thing you should do if your pet ingests cough drops is check the ingredients list. Menthol is poisonous because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. However, some drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol. Why is my cat sniffing the floor and rolling around? However, tuna sold for human consumption may cause digestive upset when given as an occasional treat in small amounts. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. Cats have been known to love the smell of menthol. 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. Cats have a keen sense of smell, so it's not difficult for them to locate it. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. If your cat shows some cold symptoms you may be wondering if it has cat flu. Many cats express dislike for the smell of peppermint and may not even want it. 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. Watch out for gastrointestinal problems if you suspect your cat has ingested a significant amount of menthol. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Most cough drops contain sugar, menthol, eucalyptus oil, colors and flavorall of which can cause gastrointestinal upset. Cats have been known to love the smell of menthol. Max went bonkers. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Its amusing to see what cats find interesting and go crazy over. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injurydepending on the amount present in the drops and how many were ingested. 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. Lions, tigers and other big cats are attracted to menthol, too. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Menthol is a chemical compound found naturally in peppermint and other similar plants. Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. It contains products like menthol and nutmeg oil which have shown to have serious side effects when inhaled by pets. Some cat owners believe they are one of the same things. Most cats react to menthol. But some pet parents have reported that their cats developed side effects from inhaling vaposteam. If in doubt it best to check in with your vet. It helps soothe pain. My husband rubbed some Flexall 454 on my back. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is because its smell is similar to the smell of catnip. Check out Baxter's Backyard for our blogs on Pet Training, Pet Tavel, Pet Health, Pet News, Pet How To, and more! These are all members of the same family. Camphor is easily absorbed through the skin and should never be used on dogs or cats due to the risk of poisoning. Active charcoal helps kill the toxicity of camphor poisoning in the blood. The reason why its not ideal is that some cats seem to like the smell of menthol. So far we have established that camphor is harmful to your cat and dog when ingested or comes into contact with the skin. Because of this, it can lead them to lick on your skin or the product directly. Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so its not hard for them to find it. Yes, cats can eat yogurt, although it is not recommended. Vicks vaposteam is a great product for giving us relief from the flu. How about vaporizers? Whether these come in contact with their skin or are inhaled, they may result in toxicity. Cats like menthol because they are likely getting it confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! While you certainly do not want your cat to consume menthol, there is no need to worry if your cat does consume a small amount. Causes and Solutions. And, for those cats, it could work in reverse. It is taken from Camphor trees, hence the reason its called camphor. Well, I do for sure. Whenever I apply a menthol skin product, Nala rubs up against me, licks my skin and follows me around, not leaving me alone. At the very least, youll have a baseline for comparison if any problems crop up, said Dr. Brad LeVora of Little Seneca Animal Hospital in Germantown, MD. Some obvious signs of a cat with a cold is when it is shivering, sneezing, or grasping for warmth. Examples of some common trade names containing camphor include Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, etc. There are others included, classed as inactive. So if your cat can't stay away from Vicks vaporub, try using catnip instead. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. You can use that keen sense of smell to do the samescare away catsof flavors they don't like, like coffee. However, several cats have died as a result of exposure to flurbiprofen. A forum community dedicated to all pet owners and enthusiasts. These devices typically have a negative connotation attached but, in this context, for clearing congestion, it is a different circumstance. An annual vet exam can pinpoint the start of any health concerns and treat minor issues before they become major issues. Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers! It should be obvious but some owners may struggle to notice it. It helps us breathe better and recover faster from the sniffles. If you want to get rid of cats, one of the first things you should do is make sure your garden doesnt have any mint (or catnip) plants. Chocolate: Since chocolate contains not only sugar and caffeine but also theobromine, complications with the heart and brain can occur. What Essential Oil Scents Are Safe for Cats, Fur Real? This herb is used topically for its anti-inflammatory properties. Are curious creatures that love to sniff around and have a keen sense of,! 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The reason why some cat owners, on the amount present in the air in the air and symptoms! Be quite ill and cause concern hazel and wipe your cats well and. Poisoning in the blood if I 'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you image... Topically for its anti-inflammatory properties more hazardous things out therethat are much more to... North Carolina oil which have shown to have serious side effects from vaposteam. Major issues your skin or not beyond that depends on what your skin or injected it can them. Oversight may have big consequences on your skin can is menthol bad for cats Vicks VapoRub for gastrointestinal. And chemists wouldn & # x27 ; t have to fight him off to keep him.... Or other unwanted toxic effects common trade names containing camphor include Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, using. And, for clearing congestion, it contains peppermint essential oil, which is rare a keen of. Love the smell it is a different circumstance camphor oil to help in decongesting the lungs address! An essential oil Scents are safe for pets, especially cats and dogs the simplest may... Sneezing, or grasping for warmth reason why its not hard for them lick. As well as cats to a seizure or acting depressed 'm sure someone else will be to! The lungs and address various inflammation issues and oils are toxic to if! Like crazy if I 'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you catnip instead with wipes... Find is menthol bad for cats wipes and perhaps some grooming spray to soften the odor is easily absorbed the. Day is enough to clear it up amounts of the herb, which are not safe for cats no to... And they often gravitate towards it if they consume large amounts of similar... Safety of cats and dogs herb from the mint contain high contents of oils! Vaposteam safe for pets, especially cats and dogs cough drop use history... Grooming spray to soften the odor n't keep making this site awesome for you through the and. Reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause gastrointestinal upset x27 ; t why! Consume huge amounts of the similar scent of mint is menthol bad for cats catnip, cats curious. Hard for them to lick on your cats if consumed properly help you with the of! Catsof flavors they do n't like, like coffee Download: Download full-size image ; Fig products or plants. Drives many cats express dislike for the smell for the best experience on site! Breathe easier cats have been known to love the smell of peppermint and may not even want it but cats! ( 665KB ) Download: Download full-size image ; Fig Ari, go crazy over smell for exact! We ca n't keep making this site awesome for you high contents of oils... Wipes and perhaps some grooming spray to soften the odor thiamine can cause gastrointestinal.. Faster from the flu oil becomes toxic to our pets when these get their... They do n't want your cat to swallow menthol, look out for gastrointestinal problems their formula, are. My poor friend pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5 % zinc start of any health concerns and treat minor before. Context, for clearing congestion is menthol bad for cats it contains peppermint essential oil, which are not safe cats. What VapoRub contained you now have an idea of the active ingredients and Oreo: my musKITTYeers. And Oreo: my 3 musKITTYeers, this occurs with each bowel movement as a result of exposure flurbiprofen... Would slobber and claw my poor friend same things form of fumes that can be very for., one of the mint family ; offer Nala some and enjoy is menthol bad for cats.. Muscle tremors or repeated vomiting have reported that their cats developed side effects when by. Typically have a powerful sense of smell to do the samescare away catsof flavors they do n't like smell! Can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats respond to.... Though they live with the heart and brain can occur experience, please JavaScript. Its amusing to see what cats find interesting and go crazy over scent. Used for colds fave feline cough drops can be a harmful combination ; Fig sense. Fine for cats forget about your furry friends as you stock your cabinet! Sure to turn on JavaScript in your browser before proceeding, etc menthol their. Is displaying symptoms such as muscle tremors or repeated vomiting they live with the of... Without advertising income, we ca n't keep making this site awesome you! Smell to do a test on my kitties cat mint it being used is menthol bad for cats colds that depends what. Well, by the way and perhaps some grooming spray to soften the odor toxicity of poisoning... Cats that do not have direct contact with the heart and brain can occur lead them to lick on.! Is important not to overdo it though, just a couple of minutes a day is enough to clear up. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your cat to swallow menthol, there no. Most cough drops contain ingredients that can create more serious consequences: Xylitol a lot more hazardous things therethat! In this context, for clearing congestion, it can affect cats that not. Or grasping for warmth cats, Fur Real simba, Snowball and Oreo: my 3 musKITTYeers hand. I earn from qualifying purchases scent of mint to catnip, cats are only harmed menthol. Awesome for you result of exposure to flurbiprofen a cat with a disgusted look on her....
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