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! Q: Why is my cat Nala attracted to menthol? Menthol is not safe for cats and you should protect from ingesting products containing menthol. What Essential Oil Scents Are Safe for Cats, Fur Real? If a cat likes a smell, it can become obsessive. 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. Too cute! (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. Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden. Cats rely heavily on their scent for identification and claiming their territory. Most of these medications are for treating pain and inflammation in the body. Jan 29, 2011 #3 jazzythecat TCS Member Super Cat Joined Apr 4, 2010 Messages 1,007 Purraise 10 Location Playing with Jazzy & Ginga. Dusty want a sniff it and she then backed away with a disgusted look on her face. This is another reason why some cat owners steer clear of it. 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. They like it for a bit, but not too crazily, not like minty stuff and olives and celery. 9. Thanks if you use my links, I really appreciate your support. Redhaired103 6 yr. ago. You might even consider planting a few of these herbs as a cute little cat garden. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 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. But, the confusing thing is it can affect cats that do not have direct contact with other 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. Imagine having lungs and sinuses like a car, much more sensitive than humans'. Felines are masters at concealing their ills and compensating for problems. Cat owners, on the other hand, must be extremely careful not to expose their cats to the actual ointment. If ingested by cats, dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Herbs have many culinary and medicinal benefitsand not just for humans! These are all members of the same family. We have the utmost respect for youand ask that you extend that respect on to one another as well. 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. How about vaporizers? 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. Cats are not fond of anyone touching their precious pearly whites, and your cats reluctance to open wide may have convinced you that cat dentaltreats are enough to protect Kittys smile. Whether these come in contact with their skin or are inhaled, they may result in toxicity. Most topical pain creams and ointments contain wintergreen or menthol in their formula, and both Bengay and Icy Hot are high in menthol. Humans have a total of 5 million smell sensors, while cats have 200 million. Cats may be poisoned if they are restrained in containers or cages made of zinc-containing metals, or painted with zinc-rich paints. If its just a small amount, for example, they could be sick, have skin irritation, or have diarrhea. Oh my gosh, this is an old thread, but I just searched 'menthol' and it came up. Most cats react to menthol. Cats can be attracted to catnip for the same reason that they both smell like catnip. Required fields are marked *. Secondly, her War on Menthol is kinda bizarre. If the discharge is bloody, Misty should see her veterinarian. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Alcohol is not safe for your cat. Benson gets a little to aggressive around this smell. Tea tree. ], 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. Thyme. Cats are often attracted to menthol smells. And, some of these can be completely natural options as well. Camphor in Vicks vaposteam is safe for humans. She did NOT like it at all! Menthol is safe to breathe, but is toxic when consumed in large amounts. Benzocaine. For example, one of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub. Vet experts even warn that the harmful effects of Vicks vaporizer or humidifier can be pronounced in dogs. Does bleach make cats act weird? The menthol is usually diluted. It's not entirely understood why, except for the fact that cats have an intense sense of smell and like the strong aroma. And does anyone know why they love it so much? Do cats like cat mint? Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family Labiatae. While German chamomile is considered safe, English/Garden/Roman/True chamomile can cause contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and allergic reactions in pets. Cats are attracted to them for the same reason they are attracted to catnip - they are all members of the same family. Home & Forums | Cooling and pain relief. 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/. 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. Explained! If you have ever been sick with a cold or flu as a kid you may remember your mom applying this to your chest. So, now you know more about it. YourCat is obsessed with mintbecause it is often confused with another herb from the mint family: catnip! Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Menthol is used in a wide range of products, including inhalants, lozenges, mouthwashes, breath . Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information. Keep a watch out for any gastrointestinal troubles if you suspect your cat took a substantial amount of menthol. And, this is why some owners may assume it is OK. Cat flu is similar to a humans version of a cold. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You may also use this acute sense of smell to scare cats away from aromas they dislike, such as coffee. Menthol is biologically active and actually interacts with nicotine and other tobacco elements, which can contribute to cell damage or death. And Mint is in the same family as catnip and catmint. 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. You don't have to worry about injuring your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. Because menthol smells similar to catnip, cats enjoy menthol-scented products or mint plants. They don't mind the smell of mint. However, eating a clove of garlic or a green onion may cause digestive upset. He actually knocked the little round container of it off my endtable and rolled around on the floor with it. Don't worry, you don't need to give up on your favorite diffuser or oil-infused potpourri just yet. Copyright 2022 by Feline Follower. Because of this, it can lead them to lick on your skin or the product directly. Aspirin sensitivity can occur in both dogs and cats, especially cats. OMG Charlene our kittys are the same But ours is far gross, When we like put underarm deordorant on they try to lick our armpits LMAO! You don't have to worry about hurting your cats if you have mint growing in your garden. There is often some confusion around catmint and catnip. I never heard that catnip wasn't good for kittens, but I do know that they don't have any reaction to it. 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. Pet parents may be surprised to learn that there are a number of herbs safe for cats. I purchased a very extensive pet insurance earlier this evening; however, it does not kick in for illnesses until after 30 days. Are vaporizers safe for dogs and/or cats?. Menthol is safe when inhaled, but it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts, so keep the Biofreeze container away from Shanie. Stop using menthol topical and call your doctor at once if you have: severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation . Catnip is related to mint I think - that maybe why your kitties like mint. | Powered by WordPress. Site Help | Camphor is readily absorbed across the skin, and should never be applied to dogs or cats due to risks for poisoning. Having said that, each cat will react differently to different herbs. Are there other ingredients in it that are not ideal for cats? Always consult a licensed veterinarian if you have any health or behavior concerns about your pets. Wrong. Thank you as always for your heartfelt and passionate comments. Inflammation comes in various forms, both of harmful and harmless varieties, and the kind that menthol produces in low quantities is of the latter variety. When a pet owner tells you their dog or cat has ingested cough drops, the first thing you should do is check the ingredient list, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. I don't know why but she would slobber and claw my poor friend. Sorry that I won't be of much help, our cats both love the pool water, whether it be salt or the chemicals in the water, I'm not sure. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. Your cat likes Vicks Vaporub because it smells like catnip and cats are attracted to it. The methol in Vicks can be breathed in, if in small doses. Camphor in ointments, creams, or balm, is unsafe for your cats. Cats absorb and filter nutrients much differently than humans. It contains ingredients like camphor oil which can cause mild to serious side effects to your feline. Cats have been known to love the smell of menthol. If your cat is congested, according to this site, a vaporizer is known to help with this. Even plain yogurt may cause stomach problems if not fed in moderation, so check out the vet-approved serving size first. These machines release water vapor into the air in the form of fumes that can be very helpful for humans. But some pet parents have reported that their cats developed side effects from inhaling vaposteam. A: Menthol is derived from mint leaves, and many cats have a gene that attracts them to mint. But its regarded as toxic for them if it is ingested. It is important not to overdo it though, just a couple of minutes a day is enough to clear it up. Why bother with a flea and heartworm preventive for an indoor cat? Our goal was for cat owners to enhance those often-overlooked, common instances with increased presence and concern via suggestions from our experts. Chocolate also contains caffeine. Why is my cat sniffing the floor and rolling around? Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. And, lastly, they may dislike the fact that your overall scent has changed. My husband rubbed some Flexall 454 on my back. 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. Never try to understand cats and what they do. We first noticed that years ago when Max was living. D Three Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. There has been a lot of debate on whether your cat should inhale vaposteam. And when we wont let them they dig my arm trying to get me to move it! This may be the reason why your cat may seem intrigued with the menthol in the Vicks VaporRub. The menthol is most likely burning when he sniffs it in, not to mention it is a very strong smell that he isn't used to in his environment, so it's going to rile him up. 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. Clinicians should include cough drop use in history taking of patients with persisting cough illnesses. Turning on a hot shower and sitting in the bathroom with the cat is the best treatment for her, but if she won't let you do that, the vaporizer should be fine as long as you don't put the Vicks in it. like my Ari, go crazy over the scent. Even a small ingestion of these can cause damage to your cats red blood cells, leading to anemia or even death. I'm sure someone else will be able to properly help you. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Well, I do for sure. The best thing to do is to consult your vet if you have any doubt about it before you try and remedy the problem. This pungent herb is known to transform lazy (read: chubby) cats into the feline equivalent of Richard Simmons. Cat Pee On Your Fabric Couch? However, it is not guaranteed as a cat repellent. I do know that this is a variant in cats, like some cats are unaffected by catnip, the same would be in this case. What is the Health Concern? Seek medical treatment immediately. 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