Himalayan Salt Lamps and cats

[mani]

Recently I bought several of these salt lamps as I'm keen to create a negative ion environment (they're the good ones

)

I've noticed my boy being very taken by one.. he sits by it often.  But something I didn't expect is that he is now licking it.  It's crazy but it didn't even enter my head that he would do this.. it's salt, and it's toxic to cats!   Not just a little bit toxic..rock salt can cause dehydration, liver failure and pancreatitis!

So now I've put the lamps safely out of harm's way.

But I just wanted to remind anyone who chooses to use these lamps.. They're not for kitties.

 

[vball91]

LOL cats! Good warning. My cat treats us like salt licks if we have been sweating. I don't know if she's grooming us because we're dirty or she just likes the salty taste!

 

[feralvr]

OH dear!! Good thing you put it away and out of reach!! I have seen those lamps but didn't know what they were called. I am adding a link in case others don't know what a salt lamp. http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-salt-lamp.htm#slideshow

Thank you for letting us know.

 

[mani]

It isn't just salt lamps, of course.  The rock salt used on the sidewalk as a de-icer is very dangerous (not that we get a lot of snow around here....)

This article is worth a read on the dangers:

http://pets.thenest.com/dangers-using-rock-salt-around-cats-9174.htm

I'm mortified as Sundar just licked the lamp a little until I cottoned on, and yet he got mild diarrhea.  So this is not something to mess with.

I've even seen people try to sell Himalayan salt lickers for all animals, as it's fine for horses etc.

 

[feralvr]

It isn't just salt lamps, of course.  The rock salt used on the sidewalk as a de-icer is very dangerous (not that we get a lot of snow around here....)

This article is worth a read on the dangers:

http://pets.thenest.com/dangers-using-rock-salt-around-cats-9174.htm

I'm mortified as Sundar just licked the lamp a little until I cottoned on, and yet he got mild diarrhea.  So this is not something to mess with.

I've even seen people try to sell Himalayan salt lickers for all animals, as it's fine for horses etc.

Yes, horses need the salt licks and I always had them available to mine. But, not for our little pets - no good! Excellent to post the link as well about sidewalk salt. I used to walk dogs and many of my clients would caution me about walking their dogs on salted sidewalks and streets but not everyone is aware of the dangers.

 

[spiderplant]

I've had one for several years and thankfully no one has ever shown interest in it. The only problem I've had with it has been the high humidity in my last house which essentially ate away at it a bit.  It's currently in a spot the cats never go(just realized that such a spot actually exists in our home) but I'll be moving it to a place where no cat can reach it.   

One of my boys has to be kept away from mineral salt deodorant as well as bras and shirts that could contain residue(he will lick them).

 

[raintyger]

Thanks! I just got one delivered yesterday. Initially I put it on a low nightstand, but after reading this I've switched it to a desk that kitty never gets on.

 

[baileybean]

IMG_20150507_184937.jpg

• baileybean
• Jan 3, 2016

This is our precious Bailey. She began showing signs of what we thought was mild dementia in January of 2015. She was only eight years old. Our veterinarian tested her for all of the common diseases but we came up empty handed. Bailey's health slowly deteriorated over the next 9 months. She walked like she was drunk, got lost in the house for no apparent reason, stared at walls, lost her appetite, became incontinent, and sadly passed away in September of 2015. I have racked my brain wondering if she suffered from some sort of poisoning. (She was strictly an indoor cat) The vet even agrees that it is a possibility. This afternoon as I was watching our new kitten play it suddenly struck me..shortly before Bailey got sick we had purchased two new salt lamps that were placed near her favorite basket that she slept in. I ran a search on salt lamps and toxic effects on cats, and this blog along with a couple of other articles have gotten my attention. I am definitely going to run this by our vet for a professional opinion, but I thought it might be worth tossing it out there for you guys as well. Would anyone have anything to add to my suspicions?  

 

[davey]

Thank you for sharing. 
Cats also like melons, milk, butter, and candy canes. 
I know I read that cats cannot taste sugar...I think that is opinion not fact, as mom's cat will go after frosting, candy wrappers, and anything sweet.
(No we do not allow it, but caught her licking wrappers of candy canes)

 

[mani]

This is our precious Bailey. She began showing signs of what we thought was mild dementia in January of 2015. She was only eight years old. Our veterinarian tested her for all of the common diseases but we came up empty handed. Bailey's health slowly deteriorated over the next 9 months. She walked like she was drunk, got lost in the house for no apparent reason, stared at walls, lost her appetite, became incontinent, and sadly passed away in September of 2015. I have racked my brain wondering if she suffered from some sort of poisoning. (She was strictly an indoor cat) The vet even agrees that it is a possibility. This afternoon as I was watching our new kitten play it suddenly struck me..shortly before Bailey got sick we had purchased two new salt lamps that were placed near her favorite basket that she slept in. I ran a search on salt lamps and toxic effects on cats, and this blog along with a couple of other articles have gotten my attention. I am definitely going to run this by our vet for a professional opinion, but I thought it might be worth tossing it out there for you guys as well. Would anyone have anything to add to my suspicions?  

 @Baileybean I'm so sorry for your loss... it must have been heartbreaking.

I really can't give you any anecdotal or scientific evidence.. it was just something that struck me.  It would be interesting, though, to know what your vet has to say.

We  have a Crossing the Bridge forum where we remember those we have lost, just in case you would like to leave a tribute to your girl.

Once again, so sorry, and thank you for sharing on TCS.

 

[amieb]

I am sooo sooo sorry for your loss.  Here is a link that gives the symptoms of cats and salt poisoning and they are the exact symptoms of your poor kitty.  http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/salt/ 

Hope this helps for everyone reading this.  They are lovely for humans, but KEEP THEM AWAY from your pets. 

 

[jlgagne]

Does anyone know if these salt lamps are actually toxic to cats? Would they have to ingest them by licking, or could simply bring around one cause a poisoning effect?

 

[cacophony182]

Does anyone know if these salt lamps are actually toxic to cats? Would they have to ingest them by licking, or could simply bring around one cause a poisoning effect?

They would have to ingest the salt by licking it

 

[dlynne]

BAILEYBEAN
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. I'd like you to know that your post saved 4 cats from being poisoned. I bought a salt lamp for me, and I have 2 cats. I also bought one for a friend, who has 2 cats. I'm returning them to amazon.come and suggested that they inform people in the description that these are poisonous to cats. I'm also going to rate the lamp and tell people that it's poisonous. Again, thank you for your post!

 

[jaseface]

Hi my cat was sick tonight for no reason and I'm scared she's had a lick. We've only had it today so could she have ingested enough to make her really poorly?

 

[jlgagne]

They would have to ingest the salt by licking it

I was moreso referring to like whatever negative ions or whatever it's supposed to have on humans; could that be harmful to cats?

 

[kittens mom]

I see constant advertising for salt lamps. Salt poisoning is very serious in pets. We keep the salt shaker in the cupboard. There was a huge story on FB and the news last year of a dog that ate a salt dough ornament and died. I have never seen a cat lick a salt block in a barn or field. However house cats have a different set of rules. Not in my house.

 

[mani]

Hi my cat was sick tonight for no reason and I'm scared she's had a lick. We've only had it today so could she have ingested enough to make her really poorly?

Hi @JaseFace.. I hope all is well now.  I very much doubt that one lick would have created the problem.   And now you know, you can keep it well out of the way.

 

[jcat]

An article that links to this thread: https://www.bustle.com/p/why-are-sa...er-careful-if-you-have-one-in-your-home-30339

 

[jaseface]

mani thank you. She's absolutely fine now and it's been moved out into the bathroom that she never can go in. They don't half have us worrying do they haha