Pet supply store recommended "Vet’s Best" "Hot Spot Spray" for my cat’s allergy problem, but the bottle says..?
"for Dogs" on it. I didn’t notice it until I got home after buying it (My fault… It was pretty plainly marked), but the pet supply store specifically recommended it for my cat’s flea bite allergy problem… He scratches himself a lot even though the fleas are gone.
The active ingredients are chamomile, aloe vera, and tea tree oil.
Is there any reason NOT to use this spray on a cat? Is it safe for felines?
Hi,
Those are not uncommon ingredients in hot spot relief sprays for dogs, but in the treatments for cats, the Tea Tree Oil is not included. I’m unsure about the toxicity of melaleuca oil, but since all the hot spot treatments for dogs I researched said clearly "Not for use on Cats", I’m sure there is a reason.
Probably best to heed that advice in spite of what someone at the pet store may have said. Take it back and get something made for felines. They are such delicate creatures and very sensitive to essential oils, so it’s best not to take chances.
UPDATE – I did some research and I just found an article on Tea Tree being toxic to animals as well as some other oils that are being promoted as flea killers, skin soothers, etc. for pets. I am including a reference to that page below, as well as one for Corti-Care for cats, which is definitely ok for cats.
One last thing – Check with your vet, there may be an inexpensive treatment in pill form to help your cat with flea bite allergy.l I know there was a few years back when a friend of mine needed it.
Good luck with your kitty! Glad you asked, I will post this on my site too.
Raven, The Cat Lady
July 12th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I would call the store or a vet.. really hotspots on dogs are NOT the same as flea bites on cats..
are you SURE that is why the cat is itching, and not due to food allergy (food allergies are the usual cause of hot spots on dogs – and I always suggest fixing by switching to a better food rather than treating with a spray.
if your cat has hair the spray wont reach the skin and because cats groom more by licking they will ingest it.
References :
July 12th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I personally would go back to the store and see if they carry the same thing for cats, I wouldn’t use it. If they don’t carry it for cats then ask a worker there if they know anything about it, if they don’t ask your vet, if he says no then order Vetercyn online it works for all animals and is real gentle. It works for any kind of wound or hot spots etc. That’s what I would do
References :
July 12th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Hi,
Those are not uncommon ingredients in hot spot relief sprays for dogs, but in the treatments for cats, the Tea Tree Oil is not included. I’m unsure about the toxicity of melaleuca oil, but since all the hot spot treatments for dogs I researched said clearly "Not for use on Cats", I’m sure there is a reason.
Probably best to heed that advice in spite of what someone at the pet store may have said. Take it back and get something made for felines. They are such delicate creatures and very sensitive to essential oils, so it’s best not to take chances.
UPDATE – I did some research and I just found an article on Tea Tree being toxic to animals as well as some other oils that are being promoted as flea killers, skin soothers, etc. for pets. I am including a reference to that page below, as well as one for Corti-Care for cats, which is definitely ok for cats.
One last thing – Check with your vet, there may be an inexpensive treatment in pill form to help your cat with flea bite allergy.l I know there was a few years back when a friend of mine needed it.
Good luck with your kitty! Glad you asked, I will post this on my site too.
Raven, The Cat Lady
References :
Corti-Care for Cats: http://astore.amazon.com/mycatsitecom-20/detail/B000FPH2I8
Article on Tea Tree Toxicity: http://www.messybeast.com/teatree.htm