Essential oils and animals can be a harmful combination. Don't delay contacting a professional. You are classed as their territory as well, by the way. Certain fragrances that cats dislike can be used to repel them, while others that they prefer can be used to attract them. YourCat is obsessed with mintbecause it is often confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! She eats plenty, drinks, and has a very playful personality. A bland diet may also be suggested to help heal the mucus membranes of the cat. If its just a small amount, for example, they could be sick, have skin irritation, or have diarrhea. Chemicals in Vicks vaposteam like camphor bind to the charcoal and get flashed out of the dogs body. Oh my gosh, this is an old thread, but I just searched 'menthol' and it came up. 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. USA pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5% zinc. This behavior can be observed in both domestic and large cats. This pungent herb is known to transform lazy (read: chubby) cats into the feline equivalent of Richard Simmons. Aspirin sensitivity can occur in both dogs and cats, particularly cats. Silence the Superstitions, Why Do Cats Purr When You Talk To Them? Cats can be attracted to the smell for the exact reason they're attracted to cat mint. Vet experts even warn that the harmful effects of Vicks vaporizer or humidifier can be pronounced in dogs. may result in the following symptoms of poisoning: prolonged depression, vomiting, incoordination, sleepiness or excitation, hypersalivation, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma, and, rarely, death. To keep the big cats happy, many zoos apply Vicks VapoRub to surfaces in their cat enclosures. Its in all forms of chocolate, and most concentrated in dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Yes, Vicks vapor rub could hurt your cat. Everything You Need to Know, Are Black Cats Smarter Than Other Cats? If you have ever wondered what VapoRub contained you now have an idea of the main ingredients. Marijuana is toxic to both cats and dogs; ingestion of the plant in any form (including edibles, tinctures, etc.) Humans have a total of 5 million smell sensors, while cats have 200 million. The first thing you should do when trying to get rid of cats is to make sure your garden doesn't have any mint (or catnip) plants. 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. ive never tried my kittys with catnip before! 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. He only licks it like crazy if I'm holding him on my shoulder. 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. It often contains herbal or plant-based substances but has various uses. 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. My Tyler loves anise pizzelles. Felines are masters at concealing their ills and compensating for problems. I just tossed it at him. As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. But some pet parents have reported that their cats developed side effects from inhaling vaposteam. Some cat owners believe they are one of the same things. The FDA issued a warning about topical ointments that contain one specific drug, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen. Numerous chemicals had been isolated from bracken ferns. Eating any type of onion on a regular basis could causeanemia. If you grow mint in your garden, don't be shocked if it attracts cats. So, when you use a strong-smelling ointment like this it can throw them off their scent. Dr. Susan : cats, I recommend Chlortrimeton. [And what to do? Cooling and pain relief. Cats may be drawn to the smell for the same reason they are drawn to cat mint, that they both smell like catnip. 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. If you have not heard of a vaporizer before it is used to create inhalable vapor. Cats are much smaller and have a unique metabolism, and small amounts of camphor are considered highly toxic to them. While it may be cute that they want to lick our skin after application, these creams are actually toxic to cats. Now they have some reaction,but not much or for very long. Camphor in Vicks vaposteam is safe for humans. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats. Humans have a total of 5 million scent sensors, while cats have 200 million. The problem is most common in small dogs, dogs that are overweight, those that have neurologic problems affecting the hind end, and dogs whose anal sac ducts formed abnormally. Each one of the three main ingredients is claimed to be a cough suppressant, hence the reason they are used against colds and coughs. I don't have an explanation, but I have seen the same thing you saw. And, for that reason, it is best to keep it away from cats. Physical manifestations may be: Diarrhea Agitation Heavy panting Seizures Comatose Cardiac arrests 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. Buckle your cats carrier in place for a safe road trip. If a cat likes a smell, it can become obsessive. But its regarded as toxic for them if it is ingested. The go absolutely nuts for that stuff. 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? If you use Vicks VapoRub for a cold, or something else, you may wonder if it is OK to use it around your cat. They have their own weird behaviors that no one can understand, but one that's particularly intriguing is why cats go crazy for menthol. The theory is that they relate the smell to catnip. They like it for a bit, but not too crazily, not like minty stuff and olives and celery. The sacs are lined by glands that produce a foul-smelling liquid which is released through ducts at the anus. Pine A: Dogs have two anal sacs beneath the skin near the anus. Believe it or not, fleas and the mosquitos that carry heartworms can easily enter your home and cause big problems for cats. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is because its smell is similar to the smell of catnip. Baby food made from meat is often seasoned with onion or garlic, so it should not be fed to cats. Keep a close check on your dog to see if anything out of the ordinary occurs or they are exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is that its smell resembles the smell of catnip. That's so funny that you brought it up! Direct contact with eucalyptus oil on the skin can cause chemical burns in cats. 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. Tuna has too much unsaturated fatty acid and does not have sufficient vitamin E or other antioxidants, whereas commercial cat foods usually supplement vitamin E. If you suspect your cat ate any of these foods, try to determine how much they may have eaten. Dr. Susan : Coconut oil is very fattening, so I would not recommend using this long term. While German chamomile is considered safe, English/Garden/Roman/True chamomile can cause contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and allergic reactions in pets. You can also check out ASPCA's complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants (and herbs!) Why are menthol cough drops bad? Common ones include diphenhydramine, pseudoephedrine, and dimenhydrinate. Some cats. Toxic for cats to inhale no idea smell of Vicks is used for treating congestion Is the smell of Vicks bad for cats? 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. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. If you believe that your pet has ingested cough drops and are concerned about the possible dangers, contact your veterinarian or the APCC immediately to find out the next appropriate steps. Do cats like the smell of menthol? We have to hide the baked ruffles in the cabinet with the childrens safety lock on it or he will get them lolsilly ole kitty lol. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. Rose. Always consult with a licensed and credible veterinarian for pet related concerns. But plaque buildupeventually turns to tartar, which can lead to pain and even tooth loss down the road. Direct contact should be avoided because it may be irritating. However, this is known to be quite toxic for them. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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 menthols. Menthol is safe to breathe, but is toxic when consumed in large amounts. This can be found in various products, such as Vicks Vaporub. So far we have established that camphor is harmful to your cat and dog when ingested or comes into contact with the skin. Same thing happened to DH when he used the lotion. If you want to use essential oils on your cat, ensure they are pet-approved. Cats dont enjoy hurling those hairballs any more than we enjoy removing them from the living room carpet. Is Vicks safe for cats? The chemical composition of eucalyptus contains certain substances that might be potentially dangerous to the cat. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath fresheners, and creams, lotions, or ointments for alleviating pain. 6. LMAO. Are vaporizers safe for dogs and/or cats?. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. And, if you know about catnip, you know that cats generally go crazy for it. Are there other ingredients in it that are not ideal for cats? Cats are drawn to Vicks vaporub because of the fragrance it emits. Cats may be poisoned if they are restrained in containers or cages made of zinc-containing metals, or painted with zinc-rich paints. (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. My Cat Stopped Purring When I Got A New Kitten Why? However, menthol gavage clearly relieved the unpleasant sensation caused by acid treatment, as those mice showed an increase in both body weight (Fig. An annual vet exam can pinpoint the start of any health concerns and treat minor issues before they become major issues. Max went bonkers. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your fave feline. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. Dr. Susan : It can act as a laxative to some degree, so you may see some loose stool or diarrhea as a result. It helps soothe pain. Please tell me how to accomplish this. 3 Menthol is also used in other commercial tobacco . One thing you can try, if your cat keeps messing with your VapoRub, is to offer some catnip instead to distract it from it. 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. D Three Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. It is not regarded as a serious concern for adult cats. Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. They are well aware of the toxicity of these plants and stay away from them. Too cute! Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. One of my cats have a thing for under-arm deodorant! Doberman vs Rottweiler Spot the Difference. 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. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. Unfortunate-because menthol sprays could relieve arthritis pain in elderly dogs. If you have heard of Camphor before, in the context of health remedies, you may have wondered exactly what it is, and where it comes from. And Mint is in the same family as catnip and catmint. 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. Your cat may appear to hate you after using Vicks Vaporub for a couple of reasons. Arnica for cats. 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. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. You may find, in time, it searches for the catnip before thinking about your Vicks. Catnip is a plant that belongs to the mint family and is used to attract cats. We first noticed that years ago when Max was living. Cats can become lactose intolerant when they become adults. Tuna as an ingredient in commercially produced cat food is perfectly fine for cats. Thanks if you use my links, I really appreciate your support. However, some dogs' sacs don't empty as they should. Although getting sick is sometimes unavoidable, you shouldnt forget about your furry friends as you stock your medicine cabinet this year. An unconfined cat is distracting to the driver, and vulnerable to injury or escape. Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so its not hard for them to find it. Your cat lick menthol for the same reason they lick mint, which is they both smell like catnip which attracts cats. Being a local anesthetic, benzocaine will numb the throat when swallowed, or the mouth if chewed. But the truth is that many human foods are toxic or even deadly for cats. . 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. Like all toxins, it is dose-related, so a small amount for a big dog is not as significant as a large amount for a small dog. Fortunately, menthol is safe at the small doses Nala ingests when she licks your skin. Because of this, cat owners must exercise extreme caution and avoid exposing their cat to the actual ointment, as some can be harmful to cats. In cosmetics and skincare products, menthol is used to help relieve pain and to improve the scent and flavour of the product. (Find out now!) Your email address will not be published. Fortunately . The best prevention is to keep human food out of reach of your cat. Q: Why is my cat Nala attracted to menthol? Try aself-cleaning litter box. Most topical pain creams and ointments contain wintergreen or menthol in their formula, and both Bengay and Icy Hot contain a lot of menthol. But many cats love mint and mint-scented products because of the similar scent of mint to catnip. These things run in the same family. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. However, eating a clove of garlic or a green onion may cause digestive upset. And if you've already tried using peppermint oil on your cat, you've learned that cats despise the smell as well. Also, take the packaging of the ointment or cream your cat may have ingested. So, now you know more about it. 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. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Why is my cat sniffing the ground and rolling over? 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. If your cat is playing with it, its best to move it away from them or lock it away. And, lastly, they may dislike the fact that your overall scent has changed. If your dog ate something containing menthol, call your vet and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Because the scent of menthol is similar to that of catnip, cats enjoy it. 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. There are others included, classed as inactive. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so finding it is not difficult for them. I am getting over a cold now and was just using vicks - my kitties didn't bother me. Catnip is a member of the mint family, so it shares many of the same properties as spearmint. Keep a watch out for any gastrointestinal troubles if you suspect your cat took a substantial amount of menthol. Dec 29, 2008. Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil. Certain fragrances that cats generally go crazy for it sick is sometimes unavoidable, you know that cats go! 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