Cats are naturally curious about various smells, but the smell of the topical pain relief products for muscle pain known as Icy Hot and Bengay seems to be a favorite with some cats. If you have ever applied these ointments, you may find that your cat seems to take an interest in the smell.

This can lead to your cat licking, sniffing, and rubbing against the area where the cream was applied. Not only is this behavior strange, but it is also very dangerous for your cat because of certain ingredients that should not be ingested by your cat, as they may lead to signs of poisoning.

So, you might be wondering why cats go crazy over a topical pain relief ointment like Bengay or Icy Hot and the reason behind your cat’s strange reaction to both the smell and taste. This article will give you all the answers you need, along with why cats should not come into contact with these (and similar) ointments.

The 2 Possible Reasons Why Some Cats Like Icy Hot and Bengay Ointments

1. Similar Scent to Catnip

Topical pain relief ointments such as Bengay and Icy Hot contain ingredients such as menthol, which is produced in a lab or extracted from plants that belong to the same family as catmint, which has a similar scent to catnip which many cats love. This smell is strong enough to pique your cat’s interest and make them interested in licking and sniffing the ointment. Wintergreen and menthol provide a cooling feeling when applied to your skin, but it produces an attractive smell for some cats.

Thanks to a cat’s strong sense of smell, it is not difficult for them to smell menthol and wintergreen and come rushing to you. If it has been applied to a part of your body, your cat may spend more time near you if they enjoy the smell of menthol and wintergreen, which not all do.

2. They Like the Taste and Smell of It

Some cats are attracted to the smell of menthol, which smells minty and is usually made from peppermint essential oils.¹ This is because it smells similar to catnip, and it likely has a similar taste which is why cats will try to lick ointments containing menthol.

However, menthol is dangerous to cats because it contains peppermint oil which is toxic to cats. Cats are not particularly fond of peppermint oil, but they seem to like the burning and minty smell of menthol found in many topical pain relief ointments.

Some cats are just curious and playful and will try to sniff and lick most things, including those that can be harmful to them.

Can Cats Lick Icy Hot or Bengay Ointments?

No! These ointments are not safe for cats to consume in any way or inhale, because they contain harmful and even dangerous ingredients. Even though cats may take an interest in the smell and will do anything to lick the products, they should not come into contact with topical pain-relieving ointments like Bengay and Icy Hot.

Aside from containing toxic or poisonous ingredients such as salicylates and peppermint essential oil, these ointments also have a strong smell that can cause irritation to your cat’s nose if inhaled, as well as signs of toxicity, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, and even risk of liver damage.

We suggest you contact a vet immediately if you need urgent veterinary advice or if your cat has licked any of your pain relief cream.

If you have a question about your cat's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for Free with Catster. Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your cat.

The Dangers of Topical Pain Relief Products for Cats

Most topical pain relief ointments contain dangerous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as flurbiprofen which is toxic to cats even in very small amounts. FDA sent out an alert after reports of serious illness and even death in cats who consumed this ingredient in topical ointments like Bengay or Icy Hot.

Flurbiprofen can cause NSAID toxicity in cats, and reports showed that cats were showing signs after their owners used a topical pain relief ointment and the cats were somehow exposed to them, likely through licking it. Some of the signs included vomiting blood, anemia, lethargy, and kidney damage.

Peppermint oil and wintergreen oil are also toxic to cats when ingested because their liver cannot break down the phenols. Menthol is created from peppermint oil, and it is what gives these products a cooling and minty scent. If you are using a topical pain relief product, make sure to keep it away from your cat.

Other topical pain relief creams and products may contain salicylates and aspirin to which cats are extremely sensitive to and experience signs of toxicity when exposed to a very small amount. Most commonly observed signs include a stomach upset, sometimes with passing blood in the vomit or feces, and reduced appetite, while higher doses will damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

It is extremely important to keep the area where the product was applied to your skin covered and away from your cat. Avoid getting the ointments on bedding and furniture where your cat could lick it because the smell may quickly attract your cat to it, and they may ingest it.

Conclusion

Cats may be attracted to Icy Hot and Bengay topical pain relief ointment because it contains menthol and wintergreen which smell similar to catmint—an attractive smell to cats. They may try to lick and sniff at the product because it likely seems tasty to them, however, the ingredients in these products are dangerous to cats and should be kept out of their reach.

Featured Image Credit By: Beatriz Vera, Shutterstock