Your experience with chamomile may already have introduced you to its natural relaxing and comforting qualities, which you can drink before bedtime for a relaxing drink without the caffeine-rich properties found in other teas. Chamomile can even help support sleep during illness by helping with restfulness. Did you know it could also benefit pets?
Certain products containing chamomile can help soothe cats and promote relaxation.
Are You Feeding Your Cat Chamomile? Are There Benefits and What Could be Risks or Dangers? Let’s Discuss It Together.
Chamomile can be given safely to cats in small doses; its safety ultimately depends on individual preferences. Consult with your veterinarian prior to giving any of it to your cat for best results.
Note that research into chamomile’s effect on cats is extremely limited, and its possible adverse side effects remain unknown.
“Chamomile has not been studied extensively enough to accurately asses its risks for use in cats,” notes Dr. Jo Myers of Vetster. She notes that Chamomile contains flavones derived from its plant source that contain compounds called “apigenin,” one of which has been shown to cause sedation as well as inability to walk in mice when given in high doses.
Before purchasing any products containing chamomile for cats, read through the labels carefully and consult your veterinarian about which of the ingredients might pose a potential threat to your cat’s wellbeing. It is also essential to study directions thoroughly to gain an understanding of dosage, use, dosage adjustment and any potential interactions chamomile may have with other medications or vitamins that your pet might already be taking; if in doubt always consult with a vet prior to providing products that contain this ingredient to your feline companion.
Types of Chamomile for Cats
Chamomile can be found in many forms for cats. Some popular varieties are:
Chamomile can be added to food as powders or added directly into liquid forms similar to tea, capsule form, soft chews for cats and soft chews made especially for them. Whatever form is being administered to your feline companion it’s crucial that it’s administered under the supervision of a certified vet.
Chamomile can help cats that suffer from anxiety or difficulty sleeping by providing its soothing properties with relief. Chamomile could be just what your cat needs when dealing with stress-induced anxiety issues.
Dr. Meyers cautions against products for cats containing chamomile-based treatments as not being reliable or accurate. She notes that such treats usually do not conduct quality control tests to show exactly how much chamomile is present within each treat, making claims regarding its calming or other benefits impossible to verify.
However, its long-term side effects remain unknown and could lead to toxicity for cats. Chamomile should only be given as a temporary solution and it’s essential that pet owners follow guidelines when administering any dosage in order to ensure there are no poisonous results for their felines.
Chamomile Dosage for Cats: What You Should Know
Deciding how much chamomile to give your cat can be challenging. Determination depends on a range of factors such as:
What kind of chamomile product is your cat receiving?
And the level of chamomile used in it? Weight considerations could also come into play here
When giving your pet supplements or medication that contains chamomile, be sure to follow the directions on their label and do not provide more than is advised. Don’t put its leaves or stems directly onto or in their stomachs.
Before giving any supplements or medicines to your cat, such as chamomile or any others, consult with their veterinarian first in order to ensure it’s an appropriate formula and dosage that suits their weight, age and overall health, advises Dr. Carol Osborne from Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic.
After receiving approval from your veterinarian that chamomile supplements are appropriate and in what amount to give, always monitor your cat closely. If chamomile causes appetite loss or lethargy; nausea; diarrhea or soft stooling then discontinue giving the supplement immediately. Should any symptoms continue post cessation then consult with a veterinarian immediately.
Side Effects of Chamomile for Cats
According to the American SPCA (ASPCA), parts of chamomile plants are highly toxic due to high concentrations of toxic chemicals such as bisabolol, chamazulene volatile oils, anthemic acids and tanninnic acid which could lead to life-threatening side effects when consumed in large amounts – potentially even leading to death in extreme cases.
If your cat is exposed to excessive amounts of chamomile, whether through ingestion of flowers with leaves, stems and petals or through their roots and pollen sources (leaves, stems and petals of flowering chamomile plants as well as roots and pollen), she could become poisoned. According to Doctor Osborne, symptoms associated with poisoning by chamomile include vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite accompanied by possible evidence of bleeding internal or external bleeding – in more extreme cases it could even result in death.
