Chamomile benefits cats, and it’s a popular remedy for dry skin.
However, not all chamomile products are safe for cats. If your cat has trouble swallowing, he may inhale the fragrance from his chamomile-scented spray.
Or, he may ingest the droplets from the decorative spray you crafted for him. Therefore, commercial chamomile sprays are off limits for him.
So, is chamomile safe for cats? Chamomile is a popular natural remedy that’s used to treat a variety of ailments.
It’s known for its calming effects and ability to relieve stress and anxiety. But cats shouldn’t ingest chamomile, as it can give them serious health problems.
Cats can’t metabolize chamomile in the same way that humans can, so they end up absorbing all of the plant’s chemicals into their systems.
This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors, among other issues.
Chamomile can also put cats in danger of liver damage and kidney failure. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid chamomile for your cat.
Is Chamomile Safe for Cats?
Cats, like humans, can be sensitive to many things. Chamomile is a plant that is safe for humans but dangerous for cats.
Eating or drinking it can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression and even death. Chamomile tea, when given to cats in small quantities, can cause similar symptoms.
When giving your cat chamomile tea, it should be completely avoided or used very sparingly.
The tea is made from dried chamomile flowers which your cat may experience as bitter and not palatable.
The danger lies in the fact that the tea could be served in combination with food.
If your cat accidentally ingests any amount of chamomile tea, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately.
Most symptoms will subside within 24 hours, but in some cases, there could be complications.
The veterinarian may advise oral activated charcoal to absorb the toxins in your cat’s stomach and intestines.
In severe cases, the cat may need to be hospitalized with intravenous fluids and medications. The symptoms may persist for up to a year after the ingestion.
Can Cats Eat Chamomile Plants?
Cats cannot consume the leaves of the common daisy-like flower. Because it contains chemicals that can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive tract if ingested by a cat.
The presence of oil in it may result in irritation of the stomach and intestines if the cat ingests too many of them.
It may also cause skin allergies if they are the plant’s pollen or nectar gets into the cat’s skin. Cats have more sensitive sniffers than other animals; hence they are more likely to inhale pollen.
The chamomile plant is a herbal remedy for various ailments such as digestive problems, insomnia and anxiety in humans due to its calming properties.
There is no question that it is an effective remedy in treating these ailments; however the same cannot be said for the cat.
It is also not advisable to feed it fresh or dried leaves to your pet since it can cause adverse effects to the cat’s digestive system if consumed in large amounts.
Do Cats Like Chamomile Plants?
We don’t know whether cats prefer the smell of this plant or not; however they certainly don’t like eating it.
Cats have a keen sense of taste and smell; hence they are more likely to avoid consuming this plant.
Cats may be attracted from afar by the smell of this plant since it has managed to attract the attention of their owners as an effective calming agent.
Cats like to play with it and if chewed by a human it may result in them getting poisoned.
Also, if a cat were to get pollen or nectar from the plant; they may develop allergic reactions such as hives and skin rashes.
If the cat gets some nectar or pollen from the plant, the owner should wash its fur thoroughly to avoid further skin irritations.
Is Chamomile Toxic To Cats?
Chamomile is poisonous to cats because ingesting the tea can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, depression, tremors, convulsions and death if the cat ingests a large amount.
In cats, they react to the plant differently depending on their level of sensitivity; however the reaction is always the same, which is a negative one.
It may also induce mild allergic reactions in some cats upon contact or by inhalation of chamomile plants’ pollen or nectar. Hence, they should be washed thoroughly to avoid any further discomforts.
However, if the dosage is small and there is no reaction, it is safe to feed it to your cat as an occasional treat provided it is well-tolerated by the animal.
Is Chamomile Safe For Cats To Breathe?
No, it is not healthy for cats to breathe in chamomile tea vapors. The herbal tea aroma is both calming to humans and cats.
However, it is unhealthy for your cat to inhale plant oils like chamomile oil because it irritates the lungs and destroys the red blood cells.
It can cause coughing, breathing problems, and even death. The small amount your cat consumes when drinking chamomile tea will not cause serious health problems.
What Can I Do If My Cat Consumes Chamomile?
If your cat consumes the chamomile tea, do not panic and rush to the vet immediately.
Cats usually recover within a short period of time with no serious symptoms after consuming a small amount of the plant.
The plant will be removed from your cat’s body, and your cat will be given activated charcoal to neutralize the effects of the toxin in the body system.
Kapectolin and Sucralfate are drugs that neutralize toxins and help in the recovery process in severe cases.
Can Cats Have Chamomile Tea?
Yes, cats may drink a tiny quantity occasionally if no adverse reactions are observed.
However, among the three ingredients in chamomile tea – chamomile flowers, biscuit pills, and sugar, cats should not drink the sugar.
It can cause diabetes if taken in large amounts by cats. Also, the sugar in tea can cause digestive issues by increasing blood sugar and may lead to obesity if taken in large amounts regularly.
Therefore, make sure cats do not consume sugar at all when having a cup of tea.
Too much tea can upset a cat’s stomach and cause diarrhea.
Can I Use Chamomile For Cats Eyes?
No, chamomile tea should NOT be used on or around the eyes of a cat.
The tea may not make the eyes any better. However, it may cause some skin reactions; if it gets into the eyelids.
Chamomile flowers are a good source of health, and they have been used for a long time as an effective herbal remedy.
The tea made from the flowers has been used for treating various ailments such as digestive problems and high blood pressure in humans.
However, when it comes to cats, the tea made from the plant is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Because it contains small amounts of poison that can harm the cat’s health.
However, chamomile may treat minor eye irritations in cats and may be administered as an eye drop solution if the cat’s eyes are irritated by foreign objects or pollens.
Is Chamomile Tea Harmful For Cats?
The cat’s response to chamomile tea depends on various factors such as the dosage, the cat’s health condition, and the duration of exposure.
If the cat drinks a small amount of chamomile tea without displaying any side effects, it does not mean that it is safe for your cat to drink it regularly. It may harm its health in the long run.
The people who have drunk chamomile tea did not experience any negative side effects because they were aware of the dosage and consumed the tea in moderation.
A tiny quantity of chamomile tea is safe for an occasional sip; however, it is unsafe for your cat to ingest large quantities on a regular basis.
Is Chamomile Safe For Cats Eyes?
Chamomile may not be effective in curing eye infections in cats because it does not contain antibiotics that are effective against eye infections.
However, it is best used as an eye wash in case of an eye injury as it may help sooth the eye and reduce the irritation but not cure the infections.
Add 1-2 drops of chamomile tea to 4 ounces of boiled water and cool it before putting it into the eye.
Yes, chamomile is safe for cats if consumed in small amounts. However, if the cat ingests a large amount for a long time, it may harm its liver or cause other health problems such as kidney failure and diabetes.
Homemade medication might do more harm than good. Therefore, it is best to consult a veterinarian before giving any medicine to your cat for the first time.
Also Read: Are ZZ Plants Toxic to Cats?
Final Words
It’s amazing how some filtering processes can have such a dramatic effect on the flavor.
Before giving anything to your pets make sure to check the ingredients first.
If you wish to use chamomile for your feline friend but would prefer a herbal tea with less caffeine, try rosehips instead.
Check to see what is in your cat food and make sure that there aren’t any dangerous additives that could be harmful to your pet.
Everything will have some sort of side effect so knowing which ones are safe for your pet is important.