Are fragrance oils safe for dogs to smell? That said, many of our readers on social media have requested a thorough treatment on the topicand we plan to deliver one in the coming weeks. 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. Is Vicks safe for cats? 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. | Animal Advisor, 5 Smells Cats Hate vs. Cat Articles | Because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they can notice the scent of menthol readily. Because cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, they can easily pick up the smell of menthol. 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? Interesting !!! Cats are part of the family, so you may be tempted to share a few pieces of food with them here and there. As a general rule, cats are often more sensitive to the potentially toxic and other dangerous effects of essential oils and other scents than dogs are, but it very much depends on the scent, the delivery method, and the uniqueness of the pet. One of my cats have a thing for under-arm deodorant! This site is owned and operated by D Three Ltd. D Three Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is one of several essential oils that are known to be toxic to cats. Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family Labiatae. You know that open-nose feeling you get when you breathe in menthol? There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. The theory is that you can wipe it on an item you want to keep them from. If you have any unanswered questions, ask us in the comments section. Cats have a keen sense of smell, so it's not difficult for them to locate it. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Celebrate National Biscuit Day with These Delicious Pet Treats! These machines release water vapor into the air in the form of fumes that can be very helpful for humans. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your fave feline. However, any sugary or flavored yogurts are better avoided. Same family of plants. Contact her at, Print Headline: Felines have attraction to menthol, mint leaves. I did have a cat that loved my friends hair. Find out more about my story. Menthol could be bad for cats if ingested in large quantities. Your cat seems healthy. The reason your cat is obsessed with menthol is that its smell resembles the smell of catnip. This behavior can be seen in both domestic and big cats. But, to their owner, they will appear to be quite ill and cause concern. While you don't want your cat to swallow menthol, there's no need to worry if a small amount is consumed. Check out Baxter's Backyard for our blogs on Pet Training, Pet Tavel, Pet Health, Pet News, Pet How To, and more! I like its coolness, so I buy shower gel and skin creams that contain menthol. Redhaired103 6 yr. ago. Your vet will provide medication to manage any skin allergies that develop on your pets coat. Some people believe that cats are naturally crazy. The main ingredient in Vicks vaporizers is camphor. If the discharge is bloody, Misty should see her veterinarian. Humidifiers are safe for cats. Whether these come in contact with their skin or are inhaled, they may result in toxicity. 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. How Long Can Newborn Kittens Survive Without Their Mom? there isn't any reall smell he goes nuts over. However, several cats have died as a result of coming into contact with Flurbiprofen. 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. There are others included, classed as inactive. It helps soothe pain. They have their own strange behaviors that no one can understand, but one that is particularly intriguing is why cats would go crazy over menthol. It has potential toxic effects and . However, this is what they regard as the active ingredients. You dont have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. Cats are drawn to them for the same reason they are drawn to cat mint they are all members of the same family. Chemicals in Vicks vaposteam like camphor bind to the charcoal and get flashed out of the dogs body. Typically, your cat would have to consume a significant amount of menthol before exhibiting any menthol poisoning symptoms. Always consult a licensed veterinarian if you have any health or behavior concerns about your pets. Menthol is made from a mint, just as catnip is. When Misty's sacs fill, the uncomfortable swelling causes her to lick herself and scoot on the ground in an attempt to empty them. "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain.". If a cat likes a smell, it can become obsessive. These devices typically have a negative connotation attached but, in this context, for clearing congestion, it is a different circumstance. Frequent hairballs can also be a sign of gastrointestinal disease. The theory is that they relate the smell to catnip. Direct contact should be avoided as it can be irritating. 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. But the truth is that many human foods are toxic or even deadly for cats. he just said he likes it our cat goes crazy for twinkies. Monitor your cats reaction whenever you are using a Vicks vaporizer or Vicks humidifier. Cats are attracted to them for the same reason they are attracted to catnip - they are all members of the same family. Severe toxicity is unlikely from single acute exposures to such ointments. Catnip is also a member of the mint family; offer Nala some and enjoy her response. Cats are only harmed by menthol if they consume large amounts of the herb, which is rare. The greatest concern with menthol exposure in cats is if the substance is ingested. But, what is this camphor? Sometimes I just sewed little soft toys for them and put the catnip inside. Menthol has a scent similar to catnip. Required fields are marked *. Vaporizers are excellent workarounds to combat atmospheric dryness that can cause congestion, dry nose, and skin dryness in humans. Are there other ingredients in it that are not ideal for cats? Luckily she is a HUGE cat lover and didn't really mind. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. Imagine having lungs and sinuses like a car, much more sensitive than humans'. Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden. Eucalyptus oil is bad for cats as cats do not have the enzymes to break eucalyptus oil which can cause severe problems. Extreme Cat Poop Problem Shocking Find PLEASE HELP, Magic Kingdom vs. Hollywood Studios: The Ultimate Comparison, Are burritos from Mexico? I backed up and he leaned forward towards me and looked like he was going to lunge at me, mouth slightly open. This is what the cat owner was told. Keep a close check on your dog to see if anything out of the ordinary occurs or they are exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning. It is not regarded as a serious concern for adult cats. Should I Be Worried About My Cat's Hairballs? My Cat Stopped Purring When I Got A New Kitten Why? Smells Cats Like - CatGazette, https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/11/warum-wird-meine-katze-verrckt-ber-den-geruch-von-bengay/, https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/mint-poisoning-1, https://www.pestsbanned.com/cats/do-cats-like-mint/. Some cats may be deterred by the smell of Vicks. With your cat on the loose, ping-ponging around the car, your final destination is disaster. Catnip is safe for cats and they will be so distracted by their favorite treat that they will hopefully avoid Vicks Vaporubin in the future. Alternatively, always use your Vicks vaporizer or humidifier in a separate room away from your cat. All these chemicals and oils are toxic to dogs. Many creams, including Bengay and Icy Hot, contain salicylates, which are derivatives of aspirin. Download : Download high-res image (665KB) Download : Download full-size image; Fig. A forum community dedicated to all pet owners and enthusiasts. She did NOT like it at all! 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. Chocolate The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. 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. This helps your vet in making a proper diagnosis. What's this all about? Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. However, this is known to be quite toxic for them. Some of them can be harmful, if not fatal, to cats. Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil. YourCat is obsessed with mintbecause it is often confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! With the cats health history documented, there should be fewer surprises.. For some people, it may cause allergic reactions and symptoms such as headache, flushing or contact dermatitis. Ginga is the worse out of my two, they both normally rub and bite softly though, I let them do that on my feet, doesn't hurt as much. Your email address will not be published. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. 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. He actually knocked the little round container of it off my endtable and rolled around on the floor with it. And does anyone know why they love it so much? It relieves pain. If menthol were so bad, dermatologists and chemists wouldn't be putting it in products. They have their own weird behaviors that no one can understand, but one that's particularly intriguing is why cats go crazy for menthol. Numerous chemicals had been isolated from bracken ferns. I've heard of star anise, but what are anise pizzelles? 5. Tuna as an ingredient in commercially produced cat food is perfectly fine for cats. There are plenty of exciting food treats, like freeze-dried meat, that your cat will love. Dusty want a sniff it and she then backed away with a disgusted look on her face. Are ferns bad for health? Certain fragrances that cats dislike can be used to repel them, while others that they prefer can be used to attract them. 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). Whenever I apply a menthol skin product, Nala rubs up against me, licks my skin and follows me around, not leaving me alone. As little as a tablespoon of any form of alcohol can put an adult cat in a coma; more than that can kill them. The smell of mint doesn't bother her. Excitement over a robins fly-by may cause your mellow tabby to accidentally dislodge that screen and plummet to the ground. All rights reserved.The ASPCA is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization. However, it is not guaranteed as a cat repellent. 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. But, in fact, they are actually two different plants. As you can see, cats are naturally attracted to menthol. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Then praise Misty and offer her a treat so she'll be happy to have you help her again in a month or two. Well, I do for sure. A cat has a deficiency of the enzyme, glucuronyl transferase, resulting in a reduced ability to metabolize certain toxins. 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. He started rubbing his face all over my couch like a psycho, rolling around, and swatting at me, and trying to nibble my hand. This may involve hospitalization, intravenous fluids, monitoring of organ function via repeated blood testing, and other measures as indicated by the specific circumstances. D Three Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Normally, this occurs with each bowel movement as a scent signal for other dogs. 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. From any analgesic rub to Salonpas the cat loves those smells but has no desire for anything catnip. Menthol is biologically active and actually interacts with nicotine and other tobacco elements, which can contribute to cell damage or death. Behavior marking, the cat's smell can be spread by rolling on the floor. Fortunately . Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia and possible liver injurydepending on the amount present in the drops and how many were ingested. If you grow mint in your garden, dont be shocked if it attracts cats. Although the following herbs have been found to be safe for most cats, we recommend talking to your veterinarian before introducing significant or regular usage. My Tyler loves anise pizzelles. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. 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. These toxins then build up in your cat's system and cause damage. Especially vicks vapo-rub. Basil, tea tree, oregano, and clove are all safe for your cat. Copyright 2022 by Feline Follower. Not all scents are harmful to kitties or will cause any kind of essential oil toxicity. Call your veterinarian for specific advice; in some cases, small quantities are not likely to be a problem, but larger quantities may require you to take her in to see your veterinarian. 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