Cats Don't Like Vick's VapoRub

I'm still a little congested, but not enough that I need to use anything to help me get better except a tissue. Still, I love the smell of Vick's VapoRub, so I put some on last night anyways. After I did so, I tried to pet the cat. He recoiled as soon as my hand neared his face, and he dashed to the opposite side of the room. When the other cat came into the room, I opened the jar of Vick's and stuck it under her nose. She had the same reaction.