Watch out: Salt lamps are toxic for cats

The reason why salt lamps pose such a risk to cats — and to dogs as well — is that salt is toxic to both animals. But because cats are limber, have no regard for our human wishes, and will generally come into more contact with something on an elevated surface than a dog will, the risk of them licking a salt lamp is much higher, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Bustle.

“I’ve noticed my boy being very taken by one he sits by it often,” wrote a concerned cat owner in a forum on The Cat Site. “But something I didn’t expect is that he is now licking it.  It’s crazy but it didn’t even enter my head that he would do this… it’s salt, and it’s toxic to cats!”

And that toxicity is not at all a small matter. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, “Salt poisoning in dogs and cats results in clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance, lethargy, walking drunk, abnormal fluid accumulation within the body, excessive thirst or urination, potential injury to the kidneys, tremors, seizures, coma, and even death when untreated.”

Ordinarily, the recommended amount of salt intake for cats is around 16.7 mg — a number that can easily be out-licked on a salt lamp by a determined cat. Other household items to keep an eye out for include play-dough, paint balls, and table salts.

If you suspect that your cat has consumed a toxic amount of salt, take your cat to a local veterinarian immediately.

And if you own a salt lamp, make sure you perch it somewhere out of reach from your cats and dogs, and store it safely when not in use.

However, one cat is really fond of a salt lamp. Just watch his meditation session, published by the owner Celeste Louise Preece on Facebook:

It should be recalled that scientists have recently developed a world’s first diet and lifestyle plan for cats.