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. 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. Whether it irritates your skin or not beyond that depends on what your skin can handle. Menthol has a fragrance that is similar to catnip. And when we wont let them they dig my arm trying to get me to move it! Unfortunately Bob Marleys statement that herb is the healing of a nation is not inclusive of cats. You know that open-nose feeling you get when you breathe in menthol? It should be obvious but some owners may struggle to notice it. Felines are self-groomingand their constantly busy tongues capture loose fur, which is then swallowed. If you suspect your cat has camphor poisoning, rush them to the vet immediately. Direct contact should be avoided as it can be irritating. :) Just so you understand, I may take a share of any sales or other compensation from the links on this page. The go absolutely nuts for that stuff. Now they have some reaction,but not much or for very long. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Behavior marking, the cat's smell can be spread by rolling on the floor. Secondly, her War on Menthol is kinda bizarre. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Dirty litter box With a cat or two around the house, even the most dedicated cat parent may slack off and take Kittys presence for granted. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. Give your cat no other human medicines cats are not small humans, and many of our home remedies are toxic to them. Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil. He actually knocked the little round container of it off my endtable and rolled around on the floor with it. You don't have to worry about hurting your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. Menthol reduces the feeling of respiratory discomfort . I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. The sacs are lined by glands that produce a foul-smelling liquid which is released through ducts at the anus. Are fragrance oils safe for dogs to smell? Cats rely heavily on their scent for identification and claiming their territory. 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! Benzocaine most often causes gastrointestinal upset; however, benzocaine is metabolized into compounds which are capable of causing methemoglobinemia at high doses. 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? Cats can be attracted to the smell for the same reason they are attracted to catnip. Because of this, it can lead them to lick on your skin or the product directly. If you have not heard of a vaporizer before it is used to create inhalable vapor. Chocolate: Since chocolate contains not only sugar and caffeine but also theobromine, complications with the heart and brain can occur. Certain fragrances that cats dislike can be used to repel them, while others that they prefer can be used to attract them. Chocolate also contains caffeine. Avoid using camphor oil, nutmeg oil, eucalyptus, or menthol in your humidifier. Menthol is poisonous because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is toxic to cats if consumed. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath fresheners, and creams, lotions, or ointments for alleviating pain. Humidifiers are safe for cats. And if you've already tried using peppermint oil on your cat, you've learned that cats despise the smell as well. 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. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is that its smell resembles the smell of catnip. As you can see, it's entirely normal for cats to be drawn to mint. However, catmint does not have the same effect. Cats are drawn to Vicks vaporub because of the fragrance it emits. Clinical experience suggests calendula can accelerate wound healing. LMAO. But many cats love mint and mint-scented products because of the similar scent of mint to catnip. Eucalyptus My dog hates the smell of eucalyptus. Many creams, including Bengay and Icy Hot, contain salicylates, which are derivatives of aspirin. This may involve hospitalization, intravenous fluids, monitoring of organ function via repeated blood testing, and other measures as indicated by the specific circumstances. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. I did have a cat that loved my friends hair. Celebrate National Biscuit Day with These Delicious Pet Treats! Excess camphor oil can cause deadly seizures that result in the death of a cat. Dr. Susan : You can also try an antihistamine . Buckle your cats carrier in place for a safe road trip. There has been a lot of debate on whether your cat should inhale vaposteam. Contact her at, Print Headline: Felines have attraction to menthol, mint leaves. We first noticed that years ago when Max was living. Redhaired103 6 yr. ago. You must log in or register to reply here. It's amusing to see what cats find interesting and go crazy. 1 Menthol can change the way the brain registers the sensations of taste and pain. Cats can not only get drunk, but it can also easily cause severe liver and brain damage. (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. 2000-2023 TheCatSite.com. Some medications contain camphor oil to help in decongesting the lungs and address various inflammation issues. TheCatSite.com participates in select affiliate advertising programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Because cats communicate primarily through the way someone or something smells, they use scent glands on their cheeks, paws, and flanks to imbue it with their own scent. Yes, cats like the smell of menthol and other similar minty scents. Because menthol smells similar to catnip, cats enjoy menthol-scented products or mint plants. Eucalyptus oil is bad for cats as cats do not have the enzymes to break eucalyptus oil which can cause severe problems. Salicylate is toxic to both dogs and cats, but it is especially dangerous to cats. If the discharge is bloody, Misty should see her veterinarian. And, some of these can be completely natural options as well. Lions, tigers and other big cats are attracted to menthol, too. The greatest concern with menthol exposure in cats is if the substance is ingested. 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. Editors Note: The slideshow 8 Things You Should Never Do to Your Cat was not created as a definitive and complete guide to cat care, but rather as a reminder of the small daily interactions many established cat owners have with their beloved companions. Sandalwood. Do cats like the smell of the Vicks VapoRub? 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. If your aim is to help your cat get over a cold then there are other safe options. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. Your cat lick menthol for the same reason they lick mint, which is they both smell like catnip which attracts cats. Writer and Mommy of 3 furr babies: Arnica is one of the most popular homeopathic remedies used - in both humans and animals. 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. Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. 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. However, several cats have died as a result of exposure to flurbiprofen. When it comes to cough drop consumption in pets, obstruction may also be a concern depending on the number of drops ingested, the size of the pet and whether or not the wrappers were also ingested. However, several cats have died as a result of coming into contact with Flurbiprofen. Some are even fatal. To keep the big cats happy, many zoos apply Vicks VapoRub to surfaces in their cat enclosures. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. Cats like mint-scented products or mint plants because the mint smells similar to catnip. Don't delay contacting a professional. A forum community dedicated to all pet owners and enthusiasts. Cat Articles | No, coconut oil is not toxic. JavaScript is disabled. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. While it may be cute that they want to lick our skin after application, these creams are actually toxic to cats. 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. The smell is banned from the house unless we can lock ourselves away. for cats. The scent of menthol is often confused with that ofCatnip from cats. Updated and reviewed for accuracy on February 24, 2020 by Dr. Nicole Silva, DVM. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is because its smell is similar to the smell of catnip. Is Vicks safe for cats to smell? 11 Holiday Foods That Are Dangerous for Your Cat. 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. One thing you can try, if your cat keeps messing with your VapoRub, is to offer some catnip instead to distract it from it. It often contains herbal or plant-based substances but has various uses. Same family of plants. You may walk fleas into your home after visiting a friend with a dog or cat, and mosquitos can zip through a door or window that is left open for just a few seconds. Numerous chemicals had been isolated from bracken ferns. It is taken from Camphor trees, hence the reason its called camphor. Essential oils can pose a toxic risk to household pets, especially to cats. Why does my cat like the smell of Bengay? "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain.". I'm just curious if anyone elses cats love the smell of menthol products as much as my cats do? )and which ones to avoid. Q: Why is my cat Nala attracted to menthol? ive never tried my kittys with catnip before! These toxins then build up in your cat's system and cause damage. 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. The best thing to do is to consult your vet if you have any doubt about it before you try and remedy the problem. Yes, cats can eat yogurt, although it is not recommended. . As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. Cats like the smell of methol because it is closely related to catnip. Why bother with a flea and heartworm preventive for an indoor cat? Severe toxicity is unlikely from single acute exposures to such ointments. Further research into potential mechanisms is warranted. Experts say it will be difficult to keep your cat away from the drug that has menthol on your knee because he's preoccupied with the smell, but if you let him hold onto your hind leg where the drug is, just hold it covered all the time He is there and wash your hands properly. I'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you. This is one of several essential oils that are known to be toxic to cats. Keep Kitty safely harnessed, leashed, and reassured by your presence when outdoors, for her peace of mindand yours. Most topical ointments people use contain wintergreen or menthol in their pain medicine formula, and Bengay and Icy Hot are both high in menthol. Excess Vicks vaposteam poisoning can have adverse effects on a cat. My Tyler loves anise pizzelles. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. (Video) 10 Ways You Should be using Vicks Vaporub, (Video) 12 Unexpected Uses for Vicks VapoRub. Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family Lamiaceae. Vicks Vaporub can be used as a substitute for catnip. Is a Vicks vaporizer safe to use around my cat? 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.