Basil is one of the most widely grown herbs safe for cats. As any cat owner knows, they love to chew on whatever they can get their teeth on, and basil is a chewy leaf that is good for them.
If your cat eats too much basil, it can also cause gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, a cat may be allergic to basil and this may manifest as vomiting, but may also cause hives, swelling or even difficulty breathing.
“If your cat chews on basil it's probably because they really like it. Not because it's just something to chew on. It's one of the few herbs that are safe for pets.”
According to the ASPCA, basil is not toxic to cats. Basil is actually the common name for Ocimum Basilium and is an herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Commonly known as the mint family, this family of plants also includes catnip, lavender, sage, rosemary, oregano, lemon balm, and, obviously, mint.
As far as we know, most herbs—your rosemary, thyme, basil and dill—are safe for cats and dogs, but there is one that frequently colors a person's garden that can cause a sometimes severe—and definitely strange— illness.
There are several herbs that are toxic to cats, including mint, alliums, lavender, marijuana, oregano, and marjoram. Pet parents should know which herbs to keep away from their cat, as well as the signs of herb poisoning in order to keep their feline friends safe.
Basil is one of the most widely grown herbs safe for cats. As any cat owner knows, they love to chew on whatever they can get their teeth on, and basil is a chewy leaf that is good for them. —Cat Grass. Cats in the wild instinctively chew on grass.
Culinary herbs
The following herbs for cats may not offer medicinal benefits, but they are flavorful and considered safe for felines: Basil.
As such, it's practically useless as an ingredient in a cat's diet – either as fresh leaves, as an already cooked spice or in a dry, crushed form. Moreover, your pet won't like the way basil smells and tastes. Thus, it won't get any non-nutritional benefits just from its aroma or taste either.
While it is not deadly, lavender is toxic for cats. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which cats cannot process in their livers. This means that consuming too much lavender can lead to liver damage.
Oregano contains an essential oil that is capable of causing gastrointestinal upset in cats. This reaction is generally mild, and only occurs if a lot of plant material has been consumed.
When taken by mouth: Basil is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. When taken by mouth as a medicine, basil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Basil herb and basil oil contain estragole. Estragole is a chemical that might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.
Catnip belongs to the plants from the mint family that includes some common fragrant herbs in your kitchen. Even so, your cat won't be as frisky when offered basil, oregano, or mint.
No, do not under any circumstances feed pesto to cats.
3) Can cats eat rosemary? Yes they can, if they want to! Rosemary is a wonderful herb to have in the garden, especially when it's in bloom. Luckily, your cat won't be as interested in it as you, but even if you have an extra curious pet, it's safe for them to nibble on.
Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe to cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten. The essential oils specific to garden mint have also been known to relax the esophageal valve, making vomiting more likely in a cat who may already be ill.
The tomato plant contains αlpha‐tomatine and αlpha‐dehydrotomatine, which are potentially toxic for your cat. If they nibble on tomato plants, they may develop signs of illness. Fortunately for your cat, tomato plant poisoning isn't typically fatal, but can cause uncomfortable symptoms.
Can cats eat tomatoes? The answer is yes, but only red, ripe tomatoes. Unripe green tomatoes, as well as the leaves and stems of tomatoes, are not okay for cats. These green parts contain αlpha‐tomatine and αlpha‐dehydrotomatine which are toxic to cats.
Wild felines regularly ingest plants, and it seems to be a behavior that our domestic cats have inherited from their ancestors. Many cats eat plants because they enjoy the taste. Others consume plants because they are bored, stressed, or attracted by the movement of the plants.
The most effective cat repellents are plants with textured and aromatic leaves such as Lavender, Common Rue, Rosemary, Oregano, or Rose.
While all of the plants listed above are toxic to cats, perhaps the most dangerous is the lily. Lilies can cause kidney failure in cats who come in contact with the flower's pollen, then ingest the pollen during grooming.
What Smell Do Cats Hate? Cats dislike the smell of certain scents, such as citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary. You can use these scents to deter cats from entering certain areas of your home or garden by using essential oils, planting these plants, or using citrus peels.
Fortunately, there are natural and holistic solutions for alleviating your cat's anxiety, such as calming herbs. Popular options for calming herbs for cats with cat anxiety are catnip, chamomile, hops, valerian root, lemon balm, skullcap, and California poppy (don't worry: it doesn't have any opiates).