A veterinarian warned pet owners that household items that emit fragrances could be harmful to a cat’s health.
Air fresheners, perfumes and colognes, and even some flowers that are particularly fragrant, can cause allergic reactions, vomiting or diarrhea in cats, Duma Animal Hospital director Chung Sheng-hua (鍾昇樺) said.
Pet owners might not be aware of any problem, as cats often do not display any obvious symptoms when they have been poisoned, unless the situation is severe, Chung said.
Owners should remain vigilant for changes in a cat’s appetite or behavior, he said.
For example, if a cat appears uncharacteristically restless, angry, apprehensive or dispirited, or if it starts running around more than usual, it might indicate a health problem, he said.
More obvious signs would be if the cat suddenly stops eating, or if they experience vomiting or diarrhea, he said.
Except for in emergency situations, owners should inspect their homes before taking cats to the vet, looking in garbage cans, medicine cabinets and any place the cat went recently so that they can help the vet better understand what might have caused the symptoms, Chung said.
Many fragrant products, including air fresheners and body products, use organic solvents and oils that help dissipate the fragrance, he said, adding that a cat’s liver cannot metabolize these substances.
In small quantities, the substances would not be poisonous to a cat, but they accumulate in its body over time, he said.
In cats, the effect is worsened by how cats interact with items in the house, he added.
Pet owners should keep cats away from camphor, camellia, sandalwood and other materials that have particularly strong fragrances, as these could cause allergic reactions, he said.
Typical reactions include sneezing, swelling of the eyes and trouble breathing caused by inflammation of the respiratory tract, he said.
Other substances that are known to be poisonous to cats and should not be used near them include lemongrass and pyrethrins, which are used as pesticides and found in some chrysanthemum flowers, he said.
Perfumes and colognes are less harmful to cats than home air fresheners, but should never be sprayed in their direction, nor should a pet owner apply them in heavy doses when planning to interact with cats, he said.
Asked about air fresheners that claim to be safe for pets, Chung said that there are no safety standards for pet products in Taiwan, so such claims cannot be verified.
Pet owners should exercise caution no matter what fragrant products they use, he said.
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
UNREASONABLE SURVEILLANCE: A camera targeted on an road by a neighbor captured a man’s habitual unsignaled turn into home, netting him dozens of tickets The Taichung High Administrative Court has canceled all 45 tickets given to a man for failing to use a turn signal while driving, as it considered long-term surveillance of his privacy more problematic than the traffic violations. The man, surnamed Tseng (曾), lives in Changhua County and was reported 45 times within a month for failing to signal while driving when he turned into the alley where his residence is. The reports were filed by his neighbor, who set up security cameras that constantly monitored not only the alley but also the door and yard of Tseng’s house. The surveillance occurred from July
A Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait yesterday, Japanese media reported. After passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ikazuchi was to proceed to the South China Sea to take part in a joint military exercise with the US and the Philippines, the reports said. Japan Self-Defense Force vessels were first reported to have passed through the strait in September, 2024, with two further transits taking place in February and June last year, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Yesterday’s transit also marked the first time since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office that a Japanese warship has been sent through the Taiwan
‘SAME OLD TRICK’: Even if Beijing resumes individual travel to Taiwan, it would only benefit Chinese tourism companies, the Economic Democracy Union convener said China’s 10 new “incentives” are “sugar-coated poison,” an official said yesterday, adding that Taiwanese businesses see them clearly for what they are, but that Beijing would inevitably find some local collaborators to try to drums up support. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, made the remark ahead of a news conference the General Chamber of Commerce is to hold today. The event, titled “Industry Perspectives on China’s Recent Pro-Taiwan Policies,” is expected to include representatives from industry associations — such as those in travel, hotels, food and agriculture — to request the government cooperate with China’s new measures, people familiar with
RSS