Can Cats Eat Spearmint? Is Spearmint Safe For Cats?

Mentha Spicata, commonly known as garden, common, or lamb mint, is a fragrant plant that belongs to the sage or mint family, which is botanically known as Lamiaceae.

This plant is native to temperate regions of south Asia and Europe, although it has since spread to other parts of the globe. Because of its delicious, fragrant flavor, its fresh and dried leaves are used to flavor meals and make herbal teas.

No, cats cannot eat spearmint. The essential oils found in the spearmint plant is toxic to cats.

If you want to learn more about your furry friend and their relationship with spearmint, keep reading!

Do Cats Like Spearmint?

No, cats do not like spearmint.  Cats aren’t drawn to this plant, so there’s a slim possibility they’ll consume it.

It may, however, attract them since it contains compounds that strongly resemble nepetalactone. Spearmint, often known as garden mint, is a flavoring plant that is also used in chewing gum.

Mint is utilized in aromatherapy, traditional medicine, cosmetics, and pesticides, among other things.

Unfortunately, cats are poisoned by spearmint and other kinds of mint. Mint, on the other hand, does not affect every cat in the same manner. Some cats appear to be more tolerant to mint, while others appear to be more sensitive to it.

Is Spearmint Safe For Cats?

No, spearmint is toxic to cats. It may turn out to be deadly for your plant if consumed in large amount.

Expect your cat to suffer symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and lethargy if she consumes a lot of spearmints. Vomiting happens as a result of the essential oil in it.

Therefore, we advise you to keep your feline friend away from spearmint plants.

Does Spearmint Make Cats Sick?

In their unadulterated form, spearmint plants contain essential oils that are poisonous to cats. If your cat eats too much mint, this is what will make them sick.

However, if your cat is vomiting and you believe the mint patch in your garden is to blame, here are some indicators to look out for:

• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Weakness 
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If any of these symptoms persists for a long time, take your cat to the veterinarian.

Does Spearmint Gets Cat High?

Plants in the mint family can emit a strong odor. However, cats will perceive it as a foul odor or a nice scent depending on your cat and the type of mint she’s inhaling.

Spearmint may not get your cat high but catnip or catmint does. Catnip is obviously a favorite of most cats. The odor from catnip attracts them and then makes them euphoric.

The primary component in this mint is nepetalactone, which has a tongue-tying and kitty-brain-frying effect. It mimics a cat sex pheromone to cause moderate euphoria, sometimes known as “the crazy.”

Catmint sensitivity is a dominant hereditary characteristic that occurs between weaning around 8 weeks of life and kitten puberty. Although some cats are resistant to it, most are not.

Therefore, it is not necessary that your cat will get high from catmint. It will depend on the individual cat.

Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Spearmint?

Your cat is fascinated with spearmint because it’s sometimes confused with catnip or catmint. It is another herb from the mint family. Cats adore the scents of catnip.

Cats have a keen sense of smell. Spearmint is attractive to cats because of the scent it emits. Mint may be used as a replacement for catnip, so if your cat can’t get enough of mint-flavored items, try putting out catnip instead.

Can Cats Eat Spearmint Leaves?       

No, cats should not eat spearmint leaves. Every part of the mint plant is toxic and poisonous to your feline.

Therefore, keep your cat away from the spearmint plant. If you suspect mint poisoning, immediately take her to a veterinarian.

Can Cats Eat Spearmint Oil?

No, cats should not eat spearmint oil. Spearmint oil is toxic to cats because it contains essential oils such as limonene, dihydrocarvona, and others, some of which are toxic to cats.

This essential oil is far more hazardous than the plant. Avoid using it on your cat for any reason without first consulting your veterinarian.

Finally, if you see any of the poisoning signs, consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What Do I Do If My Cat Eats Spearmint?

It’s important to remember that although mint poisoning is uncommon, but it can happen. Mint poisoning in cats generally requires them to consume a large amount of the herb before becoming ill.

However, as previously said, some cats may be more sensitive to mint, and a small amount may be enough to make them sick.

If your cat has eaten mint, you may observe the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness

If your cat ate some mint and vomited or had diarrhea for a few minutes, she’ll probably be fine. Just keep an eye on her and keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms.

However, if your cat continues to vomit and have diarrhea for an extended period of time or develops other worrying symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Most cases of mint poisoning do not require medical attention. If the cat is particularly sensitive to the mint, or if the cat has a pre-existing health condition, these are the primary concerns.

Your cat should be okay after eating spearmint or other forms of mint in most situations. All you have to do now is keep an eye on her. Also, you might want to keep your garden mint contained in some way that makes it harder for your cat to access to it.

Is Spearmint Gum Toxic To Cats?

Yes, spearmint gum is toxic to cats. It may cause the following health hazards:

1. Choking

Choking is an apparent hazard. If your cat tries to eat a bit of gum, it’s the same as if you ingest it by accident. It will have the same impact if it remains lodged in her throat.

She’s a lot smaller than you, so it might be even worse. In any case, if you prevent her from eating it, all three hazards will be averted.

2. Intestinal Obstruction

Gum is simply not digested by cats, therefore the first big concern is intestinal blockage. That is why humans do not chew gum and instead spit it out. Obviously, your cat is unaware of this crucial truth.

If a piece of gum becomes lodged in his little digestive tract, it might create serious problems:

• Vomiting
• Loss of weight
• Dehydration
• Constipation

If you see any of these symptoms, it’s possible that your cat is in danger. Your veterinarian will almost certainly have to operate on her.

3. Hypoglycemia

This is derived from a gum component known as Xylitol. Thankfully, this component is not found in all gums.

It’s mostly found in sugar-free gum. If you still have the gum wrapper, you must check for the existence of this component.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is safe for humans but can be harmful to your cat’s pancreas. It promotes the production of insulin, which lowers the sugar level in your cat’s blood. As a result, your cat can develop hypoglycemia even if it is given in small amounts.

Lastly. Spearmint gums may also contain traces of essential oils that are harmful to your cat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

The majority of cats dislike spearmint, which is toxic to them, including its essential oil. If you do decide to plant it, make sure it’s in an inaccessible location, as these cats are known to devour grass and plants for a variety of reasons.

Your cat should be okay after eating spearmint or other forms of mint in most situations. However, you might want to consider enclosing your garden mint in a way that prevents your cat from accessing it.

Feel free to drop down your questions regarding your feline companion in the comment section below!

References

• https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/mint
• https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/