Is Catnip Bad For Cats With Asthma
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China.It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America. The common name catmint can also refer to the genus as a whole.
Is catnip bad for cats with asthma. If your cat is allergic to environmental pollutants, it may worsen your cat’s asthma. In this case, your vet may prescribe medications that open your cat’s airway for the short-term; long term solutions include corticosteroids. And here’s a good reminder: cigarette smoke is bad for your cat, especially if your cat has asthma. 5 Catnip Health Benefits 1. Stress Reducer (Cats + Humans) Cats can get stressed out just like humans. Nepeta cataria is an herb that commonly makes the list of anti-stress natural remedies for domesticated felines. If you know something is on the horizon that is likely to stress your furry friend out (like a trip to your vet), then a common recommendation is to let your cat play with some. Although people who have experimented with smoking catnip become happy and relaxed, cats should not be forced to "smoke" any substance. Because of the cumulative effects of inhaling any kind of smoke, it is inadvisable to smoke marijuana anywhere near a cat, particularly one with asthma or other lung diseases.
Catnip effects vary, and some cats don’t react at all. “I’ve had cats who get playful and giddy, others who become very sensuous and rub or groom the catnip sprinkles or toy a lot, and other cats who ‘just sit’ on it,” says Dr. Dunkle. Some cats on catnip become loving, while others may become seemingly more “aggressive” says Dr. Symptoms of Asthma in Cats. Asthma affects the lower airways and causes narrowing of the bronchi, increased mucus production and decreased mucus clearance. The end result is a cat who struggles to breathe. Signs of asthma in a cat can be minor to severe. A dry, hacking cough is most often mistaken for a hairball, and this coughing may be. Asthma in cats is also known as allergic bronchitis, because it happens when the feline immune system overreacts to an allergen. Asthma, then, is an example of an allergy affecting the respiratory system. The reaction to the allergen manifests by inflaming the lining of the bronchi and constricting the airways, resulting in difficulty breathing.
Cats can produce numerous allergens that can trigger asthma symptoms, including: Dander. Dead skin flakes that originate around a cat’s sweat glands can float in the air, stick to dust particles. It is widely accepted that there is nothing in catnip that can harm a cat. If your cat has any known health conditions such as asthma, have a chat with your vet before giving catnip to your cat. Is catnip good or bad for cats? It’s neither really. Catnip doesn’t contain any ingredients that are essential for good health in cats. Most cats love catnip — and the good news is that catnip is safe. The occasional use of catnip is safe and recommended as a lifestyle enhancer by feline experts and behaviorists.. Asthma; Catnip was used as a replacement for marijuana in the 1960s or as a filler in marijuana. People were even buying catnip toys and using the catnip.
Catnip provokes a range of reactions from cats, from giddy delight to bored indifference. People have a range of reactions too; they worry they are giving their kitty “drugs” or that catnip will be bad for them. Catnip is part of the nepeta genus, sharing the mint family traits of easy spreading and purple flowers. The scientific theory. Suggested Articles Feline Asthma: A Risky Business for Many Cats Lung Ailments: A Widespread Source of Feline Woe Dyspnea Pneumonia Nasopharyngeal Polyps Asthma is a disease of the lower airways of the lungs that affects between 1 and 5% of cats. Although there is some debate about the definition, most clinicians and researchers agree that feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction to. The topic of essential oils and cats is a big, noisy debate. It’s a wonderful thing to seek out natural remedies for feline asthma or for whatever else ails the kitty, but as we know, nature is a harsh mistress who must be treated with respect.. Our feline friends may act like tough guys, but on the inside, they’re quite delicate.
Catnip’s medicinal properties stem from its active ingredient, nepetalactone. Nepetalactone is a plant terpenoid (an organic chemical) that affects the nervous system of both humans and cats. Tea. Catnip’s soothing properties make it useful in treating colds, flu, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms. An infusion of catnip leaves may also. What Is Feline Asthma? Much like human asthma, feline asthma is an allergen-driven respiratory condition that causes distressed breathing. Some cats' immune systems over-react to an inhaled allergen. The resulting immune reaction causes an excess production of substances in the bloodstream that cause intense inflammation within the airways. Cats with asthma are too often overlooked, because theirsymptoms so closely mimic those of one of the most common problems cats sufferfrom: hairballs. However, overlooking symptoms like cat coughing can be veryserious, shortening your kitty’s lifespan significantly, or even leading to aserious, life-threatening respiratory arrest.
Asthma in cats is an immunity-related condition and attacks can often be brought on by an allergy or stress. Suspected triggers include pollen, grass, mould, dust mites, tobacco smoke, cat litter, household cleaning products and even some foods. Catnip, catmint, catwort, field balm -- it doesn't matter what you call it. Lions, tigers, panthers, and your common domestic tabby just can't seem to get enough of this fragrant herb. Originally from Europe and Asia, minty, lemony, potent catnip -- Nepeta cataria-- has long been associated with cats. Asthma in cats usually develops between the ages of two and eight years old, with a higher occurrence in female cats than males. Siamese and Himalayan breeds and breed mixes seem to get asthma more frequently than other breeds.
