Himalayan salt lamps are hugely popular due to their unique light and alleged health benefits. While humans can enjoy the calming nature of the lamp, cats are at serious risk. Please take a moment to read this article If you have a Himalayan lamp or are thinking of getting one.
Himalayan Salt Lamps Can Lead to Sodium Poisoning in Cats
Himalayan Salt Lamps are very attractive the eye, including your cats which causes them to lick them. Side effects of cats licking salt lamps include:
- Pain
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- And in extreme cases, death
Ruby’s Story
Vets have released a worldwide warning after a cat in New Zealand fell ill after licking a Himalayan lamp at the end of June 2019.
Maddie Smith noticed her beloved pet cat Ruby walking strangely and was holding her head in an unusual position. Ruby’s condition worsened until she was unable to walk, eat, drink, had no control of her tongue and she couldn’t see or hear.
After rushing to the vets, test showed that Ruby had large levels of sodium in her blood. The brain had swelled, which resulted in neurological problems. If Ruby hadn’t been taken to the vets in time she would have died as a direct result of licking the family’s Himalayan salt lamp.
Ruby received an IV treatment that was able to bring her sodium and chloride levels down to normal. After a few days her neurological signs improved, and Ruby was able to return home.
The risks are not limited to cats. Dogs and other pets are also often tempted to lick the lamps. If you have a Himalayan Salt lamp you are advised to place it far out of reach of all animals in the home.