Can muscle rub ingredients like menthol cause kidney failure in cats?

Hi, and thanks for your question. I've looked up some information for you about Icy Hot. It contains menthol, which should be harmless, but it also contains salicylates, which are essentially the same as aspirin. This is potentially harmful to a cat, especially their GI tract and kidneys. Unfortunately I don't have any information about dosage - how much is definitely dangerous. I would contact an emergency clinic in your area, who can contact the Animal Poison Control line run by the ASPCA - they will hopefully have some information about previous Icy Hot ingestions in cats and they should be able to guide you.

Parsley oil will not help in this situation. Because Sophie has stage 2 renal issues and peppermint oil is toxic to cats, it's best to get her checked out by a vet asap. I'd recommend bloodwork and a urinalysis to check how her kidneys are functions. Please take her into a vet. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm not terribly worried about the effects of the Vicks. However, I imagine the smell would be overwhelming for a creature with a much more powerful nose than we have. That being said, watch Minkay closely and if you see vomiting, diarrhea, heavy breathing, coughing, etc. please see you vet. Side note, Vicks probably will not work for sneezing and if Minkay is sneezing that badly, he needs to see a vet for testing if needed and/or for medication that will be more effective. Best of luck to you and Minkay!

You can use all those provided your cat does not lick the cream or gel. As long as you do not let your cat lick your skin after applying the medication, it is safe for your kitty. There are no 100% safe pain ointments or gels that can also be ingested by your cat without safety concerns.

Unfortunately this is a very large dose for his size. Also, if he has kidney problems he could be even more sensitive than normal cats. I would have your vet or your local emergency take a look at him. They may want to check his bloodwork to ensure his kidney values look okay and also make sure he is able to pass irons. If he is blocked and cannot urinate then This can also cause more issues with his kidneys. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon.

Hello. It can be. Depending on the amount used & possibly ingested, toxicity issues include hypersalivation, vomiting & diarrhea. If you use it on yourself, do not allow your cat to lick your skin. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

You may see some stomach upset (vomiting or diarrhea). Tiger Balm is moderately toxic if ingested in large amounts. Typically, a short fast followed by a bland diet can resolve minor upset. See your veterinarian if any upset or limping persists.