My cat got Vicks VapoRub on its nose. Is camphor or menthol harmful?

No I would definitely NOT use Vick’s vapo rub for your kitty. I Wouldn’t use any ointment or medication for a runny nose in a cat. If midnight is having some nasal congestion and clear nasal discharge I would just clean around his nose with a warm wash cloth and humidify the air around him by placing him in the bathroom while showering (the steam may help) or by using a humidifier. If the discharge is becoming or yellow or green I would have him seen by a veterinarian. He may need medication for a secondary bacterial infection. Hope midnight is feeling much 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.

Thank you for using pet coach. I would not be concerned about using a small amount in a small humidifier being toxic to Junior. However I would not recommend applying it to his skin or even applying it to your skin if he is going to be licking that area. I would limit the use of the humidifier to be on the safe side. I hope that helps

Cats can commonly have lingering upper respiratory infections. I would recommend that you have your kitty checked out by a vet. They can help diagnose an infection, allergies, or even asthma. Cats have VERY sensitive noses and a strong sense of smell, so I would definitely avoid Vick’s as it can be very irritating to them. Depending on the diagnosis, your vet may recommend steroids, antihistamines, or another treatment that will help him out.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like a wound or chemical / thermal burn to the nose. If Binx lets you clean the nose with antiseptic solution, you should do it every 8-12hrs. Please, take Binx to your local vets tomorrow as he may need treatment with a course of anti-inflammatory medications.

In general, an all purpose cleaner like Windex is not particularly toxic to dogs or cats. Obviously if they drink a ton of it or inhale a considerable amount, they can become ill. If inhaled, this certainly could have irritated the airways enough to cause some coughing and sneezing. I would wait and see if this is something passes over the next day or at least becomes less frequent. If some level of inflammation was caused by the Windex, it is possible medication might be required to reduce the swelling. Once again, I would take a wait and see approach on this unless a large amount could have been inhaled or consumed.

Cats can be very sensitive to strong smells, so it’s possible he is reacting to something in the environment. Fortunately, this is not a sign of permethrin poisoning, or a reaction to your cream. It’s also possible that Isis is developing an upper respiratory infection, but they tend to sneeze much more than you reported. I’d recommend searching for any strong smells in the house and removing them at this time. I don’t see a need to rush to the vet from what you have described, but if you notice an increase in sneezing and/or nasal, or eye discharge, then it would be best to have him seen by your vet. Diatomaceous earth is not very effective and may be harmful if swallowed, or aspirated, so I would not recommend using it around your pets. I hope that helps and all is well with Isis.