In recent years, the trend of decorating homes with Himalayan salt lamps has taken off, and these natural, glowing fixtures have become a staple in many homes.
These lamps, known for their warm, ambient glow and alleged health benefits for humans, have gained wide popularity not only as decorative items for the interior. But amid their growing fame, a dark side has emerged—one that poses significant risks to our beloved pets.
After Maddie Smith brought home a Himalayan salt lamp, she felt something was wrong with her cat. Her cat Ruby was holding her head in an unusual way when she woke up after lighting the lamp in the evening. Ruby had never done this before.
In a now-viral Facebook post, Smith wrote: “We got her nicely toasted and went to business as usual.” “At first we thought it was just because she was so cold. Sadly, Ruby and her owner were dealing with an underlying neurological problem in the cat. When Maddie got home from work later that day, she found Ruby’s condition had worsened and rushed her to the vet. She was also surprised by what the vet told her, because she had no idea that Himalayan salt lamps could harm our four-legged pets.
“The vets took extreme care of her and saw that she definitely had neurological issues because she just couldn’t walk properly, she couldn’t hear or see, she couldn’t even eat or drink properly because she couldn’t function with her tongue,” Smith told Facebook. “In just 12 hours, her basic senses and talents disappeared.
She was completely defenseless.”
After running blood tests on the cat, the vet discovered that Ruby’s sodium chloride blood level was abnormally high. While Ruby’s diet remained the same when she lived with Maddie, the pet owner was taken aback by a recent modification Ruby made to her home: she bought a Himalayan salt lamp.
A cat has inadvertently consumed a dangerous amount of sodium by licking a salt lamp. The cat’s brain swelled as a result, causing neurological problems.
Fortunately, Ruby’s vet was able to take immediate steps to fix the problem.
The cat was given potassium flushed intravenously with fluids. After a stay at the animal hospital, the cat’s levels eventually returned to normal, allowing her to go home.
“Ruby’s case simply highlights … that in dogs and cats, sometimes the most dangerous sources of sodium chloride can cause problems if that particular animal is attracted to it,” First Vets said on Facebook. “Another good example is when dogs ingest homemade play dough in large enough quantities to achieve a toxic dose of sodium chloride for a particular size of dog.”
Maddie Smith’s disturbing experience with her cat Ruby sheds light on a crucial aspect of modern pet ownership. As we decorate our homes with popular and aesthetically pleasing items such as Himalayan salt lamps, it is essential to consider the potential dangers they may pose to our furry friends. These incidents serve as a wake-up call for pet owners to be cautious and aware of the hidden dangers lurking in seemingly harmless home decorations.
While the human benefits of Himalayan salt lamps, such as air purification and mood enhancement, are well documented, their unintended consequences for pets are often overlooked. The alarming ordeal Ruby faces when the cat unwittingly ingests a dangerous amount of sodium chloride by licking a salt lamp highlights the unexpected threats these objects can pose. This reminds us that what may seem harmless to us can be dangerous to our beloved pets.
To mitigate these risks, pet owners must prioritize the safety of their pets by being mindful of the items they bring into their homes. This includes not only understanding the potential dangers, but also taking proactive measures to protect their pets. Simple steps such as placing these lamps in areas inaccessible to pets or exploring pet-friendly alternatives to traditional home decor can greatly reduce the chances of accidental ingestion and subsequent health problems in animals.
Caring for a safe environment for pets ultimately involves a combination of awareness, education and responsible decision-making. By staying informed about the potential risks associated with common household items and being proactive in protecting our living spaces for pets, we can ensure a safe and nurturing home environment for our furry companions. This way, pet owners can continue to enjoy their decorations while prioritizing the health and well-being of their valued animal companions.