Cats and their curious natures can end up in trouble if they aren’t careful, and for the record, they aren’t. We cater to their needs, providing them with the best food, bedding, and toys, but what about plants? Cats are carnivores by nature but do enjoy a nibble of something green from time to time. This can get them into a serious bind if they choose the wrong plant. Let’s examine whether mint, cinnamon, lavender plants or spices can hurt your cat.
Is Mint Safe for Cats?
Cats love investigating new things, and if that new thing is a mint plant, rest assured that it will be closely inspected as soon as you aren’t looking. Mint is from the mentha genus, which includes many different species of mint. Spearmint is the most common outside variety and has a fresh, minty taste and cooling properties compared to the menthol it produces. Peppermint is another commonly used for cooking and seasoning.
Not only can cats have mint in moderation, but they also love it. One reason for this is that within the mint family are catnip and catmint, both of which are loved by cats in a serious way. Catnip can be eaten, smelled, or rolled in by your cat for a fun experience. These types of mint are perfectly safe for your cat and can provide endless amusement for you and your cat.
Mint can be dangerous in essential oil form. It is one of the most dangerous essential oils for cats. All essential oils are harmful to cats and should be kept away from them. This includes not using any oil burners in your home. Mint is generally not used for home fragrance. A cat would need to ingest a lot of mint to experience essential oil poisoning. They would unlikely have the attention span to eat that much. Small amounts of the essential oil create a catnip or mint buzz, which is highly intoxicating. Too much can cause neurological symptoms and can be deadly. The reason for this toxicity is because cats are not able to process the toxins through their livers.
If a cat breathes in air from a closed space where essential oils have mixed with that air, it can cause neurological and other scary symptoms. If you notice your cat behaving oddly, as if intoxicated and wobbly, it has likely been affected by the essential oil. Some of the other symptoms can be breathing issues, slow heart rate, extreme vomiting, drooling, shaking, or low body temperature.
If you see any of these happening to your cat or suspect they have gotten into mint essential oil, immediately bring them to a vet. If the poisoning is due to essential oils, they will need to be kept for a while. Be careful; many products we use contain essential oils that can harm your cat.
Is Cinnamon Safe For Cats?
Cinnamon as a spice is harmless to cats, though they tend to lack interest in it. There’s always an oddball cat who loves it and takes it to an extreme. Overall, it’s best to avoid giving your cat any cinnamon because their little furry bodies cannot break it down the way we can. They will probably be unaffected if they nibble on a piece of your cinnamon French toast, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you have cinnamon sticks out as fall/winter decorations, keep them in a cat-free room or not at all.
Cinnamon is in the air through air fresheners, plugins, and essential oils in America’s Fall and Winter months. As discussed, essential oils are deadly to cats and must be kept away from them. Some air fresheners and plugins contain essential oils, though you might not think they can affect your cat as severely as essential oils in an oil burner. You are right, but every cat is different, and those with weakened immune systems may be affected faster and more severely.
If your cat has eaten too much cinnamon, the first side effect you will see is vomiting, which can become severe. If your cat has this issue, they are losing precious fluids and can become dehydrated. In this case, your cat will need intravenous fluids from the vet. Otherwise, your cat should be fine.
If your cat has been poisoned by essential oil, it’s a much bigger issue. Essential oil side effects can show as neurological symptoms like wobbly gait, falling over, tilting their heads, sitting very still and staring at the ground from dizziness, licking of the lips due to nausea, rapid heart rate, slowed breathing, liver damage, and depression. Your vet will be able to diagnose and treat your cat, but your cat must be brought in immediately.
Is Lavender Safe For Cats?
Lavender is one of the top essential oils due to its calming effect on humans. It is added to baths, cleaning products, skincare, hair care, perfumes and sprays, and more. It is crucial to keep all essential oils away from cats, which goes for lavender.
The lavender plant is not nearly as dangerous for your cat as essential oils, but remember that larger quantities of lavender flowers or any part of the plant can make your cat ill. The essential oil is derived from the plant, so even though it is not as concentrated as an oil, it can still hurt them.
What makes the lavender plant so toxic is the linalool and linalyl acetate found within the plant. If eaten, these nasty chemicals can irritate a cat’s mucus membranes, like the eyes, nose, and mouth, while also causing severe nausea and diarrhea. If your cat has come in contact with the essential oil, muscle twitching, incoordination, wobbling, drooling, and difficulty breathing can be a side effect of the poisoning. Getting your cat to the vet as soon as possible is the best way to ensure no lasting damage to your cat’s system.
Cat-Friendly Herbs and Spices to Try
Cats can have catnip from the mint family, but widely produced and distributed as dried catnip flakes. Some pet stores also carry sprays and toys filled with catnip. You can choose to purchase a small catnip plant from the pet store or grow your own. Catnip and cat grass can be rewarding and help ease a cat’s boredom. It is easy to care for and can last a long time. Always check Poison Control or the ASPCA website if you need help figuring out whether or not a plant can be toxic to cats.
