If you wish to use a vaporizer around your cat, it is best to use one that does not include any of these ingredients. Here's how to use Vicks VapoRub to help your dog with his digestive issues: For constipation, rub a small amount of Vicks on your dog's belly in a clockwise direction. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. You should consult your cats veterinarian for the best medication to treat its respiratory issues. D Three Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Just one drop in each nose twice a day. Always aim to strike a balanced level because extreme humidity of any kind will put your cat at risk. Aside from prescription decongestants, there are also over-the-counter solutions. If you have not heard of a vaporizer before it is used to create inhalable vapor. Vicks vaporub could be utilized as another choice to catnip, so in case your cat can't seem to keep away from Vicks vaporub, try inserting out catnip as an alternative. Menthol and eucalyptus oil are both safe for dogs when used topically in small amounts. Your cat lick menthol for the same objective they lick mint, which is that they every scent like catnip which attracts cats. Cats are drawn to many aromas, and menthol is one of them. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. There are others included, classed as inactive. Menthol is protected to inhale, nonetheless it is toxic if consumed in big parts. Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the chin. Since dogs become our best friends, the line between what works for us and for them is often blurred. Pet professionals or vets play a crucial role in advising you on the right amount of humidity suitable for your pet. The sacs are lined by glands that produce a foul-smelling liquid which is released through ducts at the anus. There are a lot more hazardous things out therethat are much more dangerous to your cat. 178 satisfied customers. Customer: my cat took a couple of licks of Vicks vapo steam liquid from my humidifier, is that bad? However, catmint does not have the same effect. Salicylates, the generic determine for aspirin, are current in every Bengay and Icy Scorching. I called and made a vet appointment for that evening but had to wait a few hours for hubby to get home from work with our only car. Best Overall Cheap Cat Food: Smalls Cat Food Human-grade and minimally processed cat, It is a common stereotype that cats absolutely love to eat fish, but some people may be wondering if this, How to stop cat from scratching furniture, Why don t cats like their as soon as extra paws touched, Warning signs and remedies for cat stress and anxiety. A: Dogs have two anal sacs beneath the skin near the anus. Cats will only be harmed by menthol if they consume huge amounts of the herb, which is rare. However, cats diet composition changes throughout their lives,, This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. You will want to keep in mind that Vicks is made specifically for humans, so you will want to leave your dog out of it. Note from the word go that exposing your cat to the wrong kind of humidity is disastrous in the wrong run. To make sure we are on the same page let me clarify what Vicks VapoRub is. Some zookeepers apply a menthol-containing ointment such as Vicks VapoRub to surfaces inside the cat enclosures to entertain the great cats. Inside of nutmeg lies a neurotoxin known as myristicin that, in large quantities, can cause any number of side effects, including: While no one knows what quantity of these toxins triggers their related symptoms, why even take the risk? Salicylate is toxic to both dogs and cats, but it is especially dangerous to cats. How long does a URI usually take to clear up? 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 the relieving Formula 44, NyQuil, VapoSteam, and the all-time-favorite VapoRub we all tried it. For diarrhea, rub a small amount of Vicks on your dog's anus. There will be an overload of a strong aroma. A radical intervention! Firstly, they just genuinely dislike the smell. You should always consult the vet if you think that your feline needs such medications. Almost all of us have used at least one Vicks product in our lives. They will be repelled by the smell and generally will back away from the source of such an obnoxious nostril intake. If your home is dry, you can use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air. While Vicks products are enjoyable to you, they could be dangerous for felines. You May Like: Can Cats Eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch. The sacs are lined by glands that produce a foul-smelling liquid which is released through ducts at the anus. Level of toxicity: Generally mild to moderate, Death (rarely, from respiratory depression or seizures), Alternate names: topical, Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks, VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, Arthritis Rub. When your dog is hurting, you want to bring about the same type of relief that you get from Vicks. To relieve cough, apply a thick layer of this product to the chest and throat up to 3 times per day. Can this harm her? You want to do everything you can to take care of your dog, so this might include using Vicks Vaposteam on him. 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. AskMyCats.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. 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. You can contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. In more severe cases, cats may experience an increase in heart rate, difficulty breathing, tremors, and seizures. My answer came from a pg where a Vet answers questions & He said, "That small of an mount won't hurt her if she licks a little. It is believed that the cooling sensation associated with menthol may be appealing to cats. This is because of the menthol and nutmeg oil which has been observed to cause side effects when inhaled by pets. Privacy -Designed by Thrive Themes You can also give your dog a small amount of Vicks to lick off your finger. You are classed as their territory as well, by the way. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that menthol is toxic or dangerous in any way for cats. As mentioned above humidifiers are safe for dogs and cats as long as you use them without any toxic ingredients like essential oils, menthol, or camphor. JavaScript is disabled. If your cat does come in contact with Icy Hot, its very important to seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. It really made me wonder as the other three cats showed no interest. Mental Floss may receive a commission for purchases made, Image: istockphoto.com / points You should feed your nursing cat with kitten food that is rich in proteins, has a, If youre a cat owner and have a pregnant feline, you may be wondering what the best cat food is, If you thought your cat was eating a lot during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, brace yourself. Seek the help of a vet immediately. Menthol has a fragrance that is similar to catnip. When I had a really sick kitty, I put eucalyptus oil in the well of the vaporizer to help her breathe easier. Experts say it will be difficult to keep your cat away from your knee where you put the medication because, yes, he is obsessed with the smell, but if you let your cat latch onto your bum leg where the medication is, just keep it covered at all times when hes around, and always thoroughly wash your hands. Even if its readily absorbed into the skin, Vicks products can still be dangerous for felines in any form of exposure. It is also true that many reports have come forward about pets facing serious health issues. Vicks vapor rub is a topical ointment that is used to relieve muscle aches and pains. But in many cases, we feel that blaming just the product may not be it. In some cases, hosing down cats with water can also be effective. Its also mixed with inactive ingredients like petrolatum, nutmeg oil, cedar leaf oil, turpentine oil, and thymol. While its soothing for us, the camphor and menthol content of this substance can poison your pet. At the vet, they may recommend medications to reduce your cats symptoms and help them breathe more easily. 24/7 ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER(855) 764-7661. Alternatively, always use your Vicks vaporizer or humidifier in a . Vapor rub can also be used to help bruises fade faster--especially if you manage to use it shortly after the bruise appears. Toxicity to pets Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. Thank you! 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. 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. I am also glad to hear that there are no bad reactions to it. Dog owners have been known to use Vicks as a deterrent to prevent dogs from marking or soiling areas of the house. Salicylate is toxic to every canines and cats, nonetheless it is significantly dangerous to cats. I did pick up some liquid that you use in the vaporizer and I'm really hoping that starts to help. They are also reasonably priced, which appeals to buyers on a budget. A couple of of them could be harmful, if not lethal, to cats. But, what is this camphor? Caddog, Harpsicat, 3 sheep, 2 guinea pigs, 2 syrian hamsters, ~50 fancy mice. This could be due to their highly evolved sense of smell, which is more sensitive than humans, making strong scents overwhelming. The dose would be 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of body weight, mixed with bread and walk him around. It is best to not apply or put Vicks vapor rub on your dog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cats love the smell of both catnip and menthol, and they often gravitate towards it if they smell it in your house. The smell of Vicks is a strong smell coming from the use of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. So, to be safe, it is best avoided. The company has responded to many concerns and complaints especially on social media, claiming that Vaposteam has been tested to be safe. Find out more about my story. Well, just because your cat like it doesnt mean its good for him. I put some of this on me and one of my cats is following me around as if I was a big bag of catnip. The reason your cat is obsessive about menthol is that its scent resembles the scent of catnip. Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil and camphor, which are toxic to cats and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. On the other hand, cool mist humidifiers have no boiling at any given time and provide more safety for your pet dog or even birds for that matter. Vicks Vaporub contains several ingredients that are toxic to dogs, including camphor. Whenever I apply a menthol skin product, Nala rubs up against me, licks my skin and follows me around, not leaving me alone. 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