Cat-Friendly Home: Why蚊香 Are a No-GO!

Are Common Mosquito Repellents Toxic to Cats?

Most commonly used mosquito repellents include plugin disks, incense sticks, and mosquito coils. These products typically contain pyrethroids, a class of insecticide compounds derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethroids are lowtoxicity pesticides that effectively kill mosquitoes and are recommended by the World Health Organization for controlling vectorborne diseases.

By incorporating these compounds into our repellents, we can effectively disorient the central nervous system of mosquitoes in the air, leading to their death or paralysis.

These products are generally safe for humans to use because our livers have the ability to metabolize these compounds into nontoxic or lowtoxic substances and excrete them from the body. As long as they are used in reasonable and moderate amounts, human safety is ensured.

However, it's crucial to emphasize this point three times:

Cats do not have the ability to metabolize pyrethroids!

Cats do not have the ability to metabolize pyrethroids!

Cats do not have the ability to metabolize pyrethroids!

In other words, cats have a much lower tolerance for pyrethroidbased mosquito repellents and coils than humans. When cats inhale pyrethroids, these compounds can easily accumulate in their livers, which are not efficient at metabolizing them. Over time, the accumulation can lead to internal damage.

Excessive intake can cause protein denaturation, damage to the central nervous system, organ failure, and even death—symptoms similar to those experienced after ingesting pesticides. Therefore, mosquito repellents are a real poison for cats!

Some may wonder:

"I've used mosquito repellents at home for years, and my cat seems fine. It's true that cats may not show immediate signs of poisoning even if they inhale pyrethroids. Symptoms of poisoning can be similar to those experienced by humans after excessive exposure to mosquito repellents, and can include:

1. Lethargy and drooling

2. Limping or loss of balance

3. Excessive excitement, followed by seizures

4. Vomiting

5. Loss of appetite

Especially in older cats, liver disease may be a concern. In addition to pyrethroids, DEET and lemon eucalyptus oil are also common ingredients in repellents, and they are not recommended for households with cats.

Some may ask, "My cat has been exposed to mosquito repellents for years, and it's still active and healthy." The truth is, poisoning effects are dosedependent. Cats, when ingesting these products, can exhibit symptoms based on their weight. For every kilogram of body weight, ingestion of 1 milliliter can cause symptoms. At 40 to 80 milliliters per kilogram, it can be fatal. A cat weighing around 4 kilograms (about 8 to 9 pounds) could experience poisoning symptoms if it ingested just 4 milliliters, and could die from ingesting 160 milliliters or more. A typical bottle of insecticide solution is 100 milliliters, and the likelihood of a cat consuming the entire contents is low, but it's still important to be cautious to prevent accidental ingestion.

How Should CatOwners Safely Repel Mosquitoes?

① Physical Mosquito Control: To ensure the safety of your cat, you can opt not to use mosquito repellents like coils. Install fine mesh screens, preferably with a strong, durable material like stainless steel, rather than regular mesh. Also, consider using an electric or manual mosquito swatter to eliminate mosquitoes effectively.

② Botanical Mosquito Control: Certain plants are safe for cats and can repel mosquitoes, such as lemon grass, mint, jasmine, and poppies. However, some cats may be prone to destroying these plants. Remember, it's always best to keep these plants out of reach of curious felines.

③ Isolation Method: Evening is when mosquitoes are most active, and using insecticide sprays can be effective. However, after application, both you and your cat should leave the room for a couple of hours to allow for ventilation. Avoid using these products overnight, and keep them out of reach of your cat to prevent accidental spills and ingestion. Also, be mindful of any allergic reactions, such as sneezing, in your cat.

Lastly, if your cat ingests any mosquito repellent, immediately take the product's instructions and packaging to the veterinarian for treatment.