My Mingo loved sitting in a warm bathroom with me. Menthol is a great pain-reliever - for humans. Yes, Vick's steam rub could harm your cat. 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. Catnip is safe for cats to consume, and they will be so distracted by their favorite treat that they will hopefully avoid Vicks vaporubin the future. Pet parents may be surprised to learn that there are a number of herbs safe for cats. The smell of mint doesn't bother her. If youre at work when the incident happens, hours could pass before you realize your cat is hurt or missing. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the chin. But, in fact, they are actually two different plants. I actually have to fight him off to keep him away. If you suspect your cat ingested a large amount of menthol, keep an eye out for any gastrointestinal issues. That's so funny that you brought it up! I don't have an explanation, but I have seen the same thing you saw. Adult cats are lactose intolerant, but they can eat plain Greek yogurt. Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. D Three Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. However, some dogs' sacs don't empty as they should. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. Many sites list chamomile in the column of herbs safe for cats; however, this is a dangerous generalization, as some types of chamomile are toxic to cats and dogs alike. Keep a close check on your dog to see if anything out of the ordinary occurs or they are exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning. But, to their owner, they will appear to be quite ill and cause concern. The higher the altitude, the more aromatic the plant will . 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. I never heard that catnip wasn't good for kittens, but I do know that they don't have any reaction to it. Why bother with a flea and heartworm preventive for an indoor cat? You are classed as their territory as well, by the way. But plaque buildupeventually turns to tartar, which can lead to pain and even tooth loss down the road. In fact, all members of the allium familyincluding onions, leeks, scallions, and shallotsare toxic to felines. Updated and reviewed for accuracy on February 24, 2020 by Dr. Nicole Silva, DVM. Vicks vaporizer is not ideal for cats. And does anyone know why they love it so much? But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other cats. I took her to the veterinarian who emptied her anal sacs but said they would probably refill every month or two. Mint. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. And, for those cats, it could work in reverse. While you don't want your cat to swallow menthol, there's no need to worry if a small amount is consumed. You might even consider planting a few of these herbs as a cute little cat garden. Cats absorb and filter nutrients much differently than humans. All members of the onion family can cause problems if eaten in sufficient quantity. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Firstly, they just genuinely dislike the smell. Cats love the smell of both catnip and menthol, and they often gravitate towards it if they smell it in your house. Cats rely heavily on their scent for identification and claiming their territory. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. No reaction at all. ive never tried my kittys with catnip before! D Three Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Message and data rates may apply. Some are even deadly. Tolly too LOVES mint and menthol. It can even cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body's fat, when fed to cats on a regular basis. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If ingested by cats, dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Peppermint oil is, quite simply, not safe for cats. Why does my cat like the smell of Bengay? Also, be sure to always keep your flu season supplies stored safely out of paws reach! I am getting over a cold now and was just using vicks - my kitties didn't bother me. Many creams, including Bengay and Icy Hot, contain salicylates, which are aspirin derivatives. Always consult a licensed veterinarian if you have any health or behavior concerns about your pets. Raw Meat and Fish. Some cats may be deterred by the smell of Vicks. 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. When your cathacks up a hairball, you probably just sigh in annoyancethats how cats are, right?and clean up the mess. This is what the cat owner was told. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. Home & Forums | Experts Weigh In, Are Black Cats More Vocal? 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. Each one of the three main ingredients is claimed to be a cough suppressant, hence the reason they are used against colds and coughs. 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. And, if you know about catnip, you know that cats generally go crazy for it. Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. I'm not sure about menthol, but I think it comes from a tree??? Its getting to be that time of year again: time for flu shots, cough drops and all the precautions we take to avoid getting sick during the colder months. The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. The greatest concern with menthol exposure in cats is if the substance is ingested. LOL I have a jar of mentholatum, like vaporub. Find out more about my story. The best prevention is to keep human food out of reach of your cat. Cats can be attracted to the smell for the same reason they are attracted to catnip. So, when you use a strong-smelling ointment like this it can throw them off their scent. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cats are part of the family, so you may be tempted to share a few pieces of food with them here and there. However, eating a clove of garlic or a green onion may cause digestive upset. As for giving Simba a tissue, I'm not sure if you should, every night we come down stairs to find the paper towels mauled. If you are concerned that your cat has a cold you may be keen to understand what signs or symptoms to look out for. Pure menthol is poisonous and not for internal consumption. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. There are human medications that are completely safe for pets. Cats may be drawn to the smell for the same reason they are drawn to catmint. Cat Articles | There is often some confusion around catmint and catnip. Chocolate also contains caffeine. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they can notice the scent of menthol readily. Whether these come in contact with their skin or are inhaled, they may result in toxicity. If you have ever been sick with a cold or flu as a kid you may remember your mom applying this to your chest. As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injurydepending on the amount present in the drops and how many were ingested. 1 Menthol can change the way the brain registers the sensations of taste and pain. He actually knocked the little round container of it off my endtable and rolled around on the floor with it. Since cats like menthol, they are fascinated by it and enjoy sniffing it. You don't have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. The go absolutely nuts for that stuff. Causes and Solutions. 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. JavaScript is disabled. there isn't any reall smell he goes nuts over. Avoid growing the following herbs in your cat garden, as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your pets: Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before trying herbs safe for cats. Certain fragrances that cats dislike can be used to repel them, while others that they prefer can be used to attract them. Alternatively, always use your Vicks vaporizer or humidifier in a separate room away from your cat. Steam from heated water has great effects on human colds as well as cats. It is typically found in topical pain, or even rubs used for arthritis. If youre in dire need of using these devices, heres what you can do: Vicks vaposteam is harmful to your cat whether ingested or applied on the skin. If your cat goes outside, avoid growing St. Johns Wort where he can consume it. Chemical burns and other toxic effects can occur if a cat licks up eucalyptus oil spills. Eucalyptus My dog hates the smell of eucalyptus. However, this is known to be quite toxic for them. I did have a cat that loved my friends hair. Menthol is a chemical compound found naturally in peppermint and other similar plants. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. Menthol attracts lions, tigers, and other large cats. The ointment in Vicks Vaposteam is known to contain camphor. Kramer doesn't like the smell of menthol and will leave me alone if he smells it anywhere on me. But, most homes will identify with it being used for colds. Please tell me how to accomplish this. Menthol is safe when inhaled, but it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts, so keep the Biofreeze container away from Shanie. Rose. She may dart away into trafficor cower under a bush when a strange dog approaches. There's still a way you and your little feline can enjoy a meow-nificent, aromatic home. They are mysterious. Avoid growing the following herbs in your cat garden, as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your pets: Lemongrass. The smell is banned from the house unless we can lock ourselves away. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. | Animal Advisor, 5 Smells Cats Hate vs. Larger doses are a problem, so keep your products secured in the medicine cabinet to prevent her from. They are well aware of the toxicity of these plants and stay away from them. Most of these medications are for treating pain and inflammation in the body. A lack of thiamine can cause serious neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma. I'm just curious if anyone elses cats love the smell of menthol products as much as my cats do? Fortunately . Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Chocolate The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. 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. 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. Menthol can also be produced in a lab. 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. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. 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