A friend set up a Himalayan salt lamp on a low shelf, and her cat licked it daily until the vet flagged the sodium. The lamps look calm, but the salt itself is a real risk for small animals that groom it off their paws.
Maddie Smith noticed her cat, Ruby, was acting strangely and assumed it was due to the cold weather.
After returning from work that evening, Ruby’s condition had deteriorated and she was unable to walk, eat or drink and was struggling to see and hear.
Ms. Smith took her to a vet who said she was suffering from brain swelling due to sodium poisoning.
Sodium poisoning can be life-threatening for pets, with symptoms including seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of coordination.
Himalayan salt lamps are a common item in many households, and pet owners are being warned to keep an eye on their animals as the lights can be tempting for them.
In a Facebook post warning other pet owners, Ms. Smith said she was unaware that Ruby had been ingesting salt from licking the lamp, and was unaware of the consequences of increased sodium in her system.
Ms. Smith has removed the salt lamp from her home.
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A salt lamp on a high shelf is the easy fix, but the better one is not bringing it home where a small animal can reach. The risk is real, and the vet bill is worse.
