2) Coriander is also safe for cats in addition to being super tasty. You can have it in the house without worrying about your feline friend.
Which herbs are safe to eat? Parsley, mint and coriander are just a few of the many herbs your dog can enjoy eating. In addition, they contain important nutrients and medicinal properties.
Culinary herbs
The following herbs for cats may not offer medicinal benefits, but they are flavorful and considered safe for felines: Basil. Cilantro/coriander.
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.
In small quantities, cilantro is perfectly safe to share with your dog. When feeding cilantro to your dog, you'll want to only use the leaves and avoid the stems. “The stems are difficult to digest and may lead to gastrointestinal issues in some dogs when eaten,” explains Dr. Klein.
However, importantly, the ASPCA lists Parsley as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
While the curly-leafed variety of parsley is good for your pet, the ASPCA considers 'Spring Parsley' to be toxic in large amounts. Parsley is high in fiber and a diuretic, meaning it helps the body flush out fluids and move foods through the digestive tract.
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.
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.
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.
Birds like pigeons, doves, and starlings have been known to nibble on cilantro plants in a garden. Though, on the whole, if your cilantro is being eaten, it is more likely by a different creature like a rat, mouse, rabbit, slug, snail, or caterpillar.
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.
Is Rosemary Safe For Cats to Eat? Rest assured, according to the ASPCA animal poison control, rosemary is non-toxic to cats1, as well as to dogs and to horses. There are members of the Lamiaceae family that the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats. These include, surprisingly, catnip, lavender, marjoram, mint, and oregano.
It might also come from cilantro's strong smell, repelling pest insects directly. However it works, cilantro (or coriander, which is the same plant grown for seed) is supposed to ward off aphids, Colorado potato beetles, and spider mites. Wikipedia adds whiteflies to the list of repelled insects.
Rosemary, thyme, and rue
Rosemary and thyme are typically harmless to cats, while rue may cause a negative reaction (as it can in humans, as well).
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are in the Allium family, and are poisonous to both dogs and cats if the dose is right (if they eat a single large serving or repeatedly nibble on small amounts over time). Garlic is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions for cats and dogs.
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.
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.
All citrus fruits (grapefruit, oranges, limes and lemons) are mildly toxic to cats. Consider every part of the fruit, from the seeds to the fruit and skin, to be toxic for your feline. The substances found in lemons (Citrus limon) is toxic to your cat, even though you and your family can safely ingest lemons.
Generally, cats will stay away from plants that will harm them, but sometimes curiosity and boredom get the better of them and they might nibble on your plants. Consumption of poisonous plants can cause a range of symptoms from vomiting to serious illness and even death in some cases.
Use scent to keep the cats away
Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.
The majority won't cause much more than skin irritation or an upset stomach, and it's very unlikely that cats will intentionally eat plants that are poisonous to them. However, some plants can make cats very ill, even if they haven't eaten the plant.
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.
The answer is yes! Cats can eat celery as an occasional treat. Since cats are obligate carnivores, most of their diet needs to be comprised of meat. Celery is not typically found in commercial cat foods or treats, however, chomping on some celery from time to time could offer your cat a few health benefits.
Can cats eat sweet potatoes? Cats can eat sweet potatoes, but only in moderation. Although sweet potatoes are not toxic to felines as they don't contain solanine, there are much better cat treat options for your pet.