Cinnamon contains coumarin, a naturally occurring compound that's medically used as a blood thinner. "A large dose could conceivably cause problems for your cat with clotting," Eldredge says. She adds that cats may also get a reaction in their mouths when they ingest cinnamon, such as redness and irritation.
The ASPCA hasn't labeled cinnamon as toxic to cats and other animals. However, it can still trigger an allergic reaction and cause various complications. In other words, you shouldn't allow your cat access to cinnamon in any of its following forms: Powdered cinnamon spice.
Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs? The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, though cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for pups. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from consuming too much cinnamon, but that does not necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on kibble.
Cinnamon can also act an irritant on the skin or in the oral cavity, causing rash and allergic-type reactions in cats and other animals. Because cats have sensitive skin and a keener senses of smell than humans, they are at an increased risk of reaction from exposure to cinnamon or the cinnamon aroma.
Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats. However, we do not recommend using cayenne pepper or other pepper flakes to keep cats out of the garden, as this could potentially harm them. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats.
Cats can digest small amounts of cinnamon without getting seriously ill. If a cat ingests more than one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, it may experience toxicity. In contrast, cinnamon essential oils can cause allergic dermatitis even in small doses.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.
Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.
Flower and plant scents that cats like
Like humans, cats love the smell of roses. Not only are these old favourites nice for a cat's sense of smell, they're even edible.
Use scent deterrents
Try orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. You can either sprinkle drops directly onto your flower beds or soak a cotton wool around it and place at entry points.
Vinegar as a cat repellent
Spraying Outdoors – Straight or diluted vinegar can be sprayed around the edges of a garden, and on plants, fences, posts and garden décor to keep cats away. Concentrate the spray on areas that the cats frequent or that you particularly want to protect.
Peppermint oil is highly toxic to cats.
Without the enzymes required to break down phenols, cats exposed to peppermint oil can experience: Liver damage. Breathing difficulties. Wobbliness and seizures.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.
Key Takeaways. Pets can eat cinnamon in moderation. Pets cannot eat nutmeg or cloves because they are toxic to dogs and cats.
Nutmeg contains a narcotic called myristicin that can be toxic to pets, including cats. The seed is also covered by veins of mace, another spice that is potentially harmful.
Toxic consumption:
Intoxication is most often seen when 100% tea tree oil is used. As little as 7-8 drops (10-20 mL) applied to the skin may be fatal to both cats and dogs. Products with low concentrations (e.g. shampoos, body washes) are generally not considered toxic.
Toxicity to pets
Small ingestions of a few leaves or low concentration eucalyptus oil leads to mild gastrointestinal distress, but ingestion of highly concentrated eucalyptus oil has been associated with severe signs including seizure, tremor, and, rarely, acute renal injury.
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.
Cats, being fairly territorial, are unlikely to feel comfortable doing their business in a place that smells like another, much larger, feline already frequents it. Put down extra strength hot chilli powder. It annoys cats' paws and whiskers without causing them serious harm. They'll stay well away.
Keeping Fleas and Ticks Away
To make your own flea and tick repellent, mix one part vinegar with one part water and spray it on your pet's fur. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to help repel fleas and ticks from the inside out.
Citronella is toxic to pets
Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a cat pee deterrent that will also leave your home smelling fresh. Using essential oils is recommended because it is accessible and much easier to use when compared to dried peppermint leaves.