Do you have a cat? Have you ever thought of introducing peppermint to your cat?
While some essential oils may be diluted and/or safe, some may cause poisoning in cats.
Chewing on peppermint leaves or drinking peppermint-containing tea can be dangerous for cats.
A cat ingesting even a small amount of plant that is poisonous to cats might experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Let’s find out!
Can Cats Eat Peppermint?
Mentha piperita, the species by which peppermint gets its name, is in many folk remedies and diet supplements for humans because it contains many nutrients and minerals.
This includes iron and manganese among others. Mentha piperita is used to treat a variety of health issues and illnesses in people, including asthma and digestive issues.
It is considered a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and heartburn in humans, but it should not be taken regularly for this purpose by cats.
Garden mint is another name for this herb and is from the Lamiaceae family.
Menthyl acetate, a compound found within the oil of peppermint leaves, is toxic to cats in larger quantities.
Peppermint has little nutritional value and may upset a cat’s stomach due to menthol and methyl salicylate that it contains in high doses and regularly.
It contains menthone and therefore has turned into a natural pesticide and insecticide because of its insecticidal properties.
This herb is found all over the Northern and Southern hemispheres and is cultivated in gardens and farms around the world because of its culinary, medicinal and aromatic properties.
Herbs like these are good additions to the diet but should be used in moderation.
Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium are all found in peppermint.
Pets may safely consume peppermint in tiny amounts when they want to freshen their breath or to relieve how much is amoxicillin in 500mg a stomach ache.
As a natural cure for flatulence and digestive problems for cats, it should be given in tiny doses.
Peppermint may be added occasionally to your cat’s daily food regimen since it is a good flavoring option that may be enjoyed by cats of varied ages.Peppermint is a medicinal plant that gives a delicious flavor to dishes for humans and pets alike.
It may be added to cats’ daily food regimen occasionally as it is a tasty flavoring option that may be enjoyed by cats of varied ages. Young kittens may especially enjoy its flavor without risking poisoning side effects.
When adding it to your pet’s meal, you should also avoid using large amounts of it, as this may lead to poisoning and can be fatal to your pet cat.
Is Peppermint Safe For Cats?
Peppermint plants should be avoided by cats since it is toxic to them and can cause severe kidney and liver problems if ingested by felines.
Toxic to cats, Salicylate in peppermint may cause severe stomach irritation, vomiting and diarrhea in felines.
Certain cats are lured to the peppermint plant because of Nepetalactone, which is found in Catnip, a herb found in garden centers and nurseries.
Dogs and cats can become very ill or even die from ingesting any type of mint, including catnip and pennyroyal; so be cautious when putting herbs in your backyard.
Cats are poisoned by chewing on the plant and rubbing it on their fur, inhaling the vapors from chewing the plant or consuming it.
If any part of the plant is ingested or inhaled by a cat, the animal may experience shallow but irregular breathing, excessive drooling and vomiting.
Peppermint is a perennial herb that can grow up to 80 cm in height and has white or pinkish flowers with purple markings on its corollas.
Is Peppermint Toxic To Cats?
Peppermint may not be toxic, but it is definitely not good for your pet.
While peppermint is not itself poisonous to humans or animals, it does have certain oils in it that are terrible for cats.
This includes the essential oils that are in the plant itself and those contained in the oils that are extracted and distilled from the peppermint plant.
While some people may think that using peppermint as a household cleanser is a great way to keep their homes clean, it is a very bad idea for felines.
Cats are particularly vulnerable to this substance because they metabolize it more quickly because of the deficiency.
Their little livers cannot process it as efficiently in humans or other animals. Because essential oils are so potent, even a small ingestion can cause very serious harm or death.
If you will have cats in your home, steer completely clear of them! If you have a cat and have the whole essential oils experience in your home, please go ahead and make your pets a separate room away from essential oils.
Humans and other animals have catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to help break down these substances, but cats do not have these enzymes either.
Additionally, the phenols and ketones present in peppermint oil are more potent than phenol and ketone levels present in other essential oils, such as oregano oil.
What Happens When Cats Eat Peppermint?
As a result of peppermint’s strong aroma damaging the cat’s respiratory system, the gums can become inflamed and begin to bleed from the tongues agitated brushing against them.
As a consequence of this, the cat may require a veterinarian’s assistance if exposed to enough peppermint to cause problems.
Signs to look for include vomiting, seizures, and thrombosis in cats who ingest it extensively.
Coughing or sneezing up a few globs of peppermint globs is not uncommon.
Peppermint may quickly make your cat drowsy, especially if he or she ingests it on an empty stomach.
The oil in peppermint contains a compound called menthol.
This compound can stimulate the nerves of a cat’s throat and stomach, causing their abdominal muscles to contract painfully.
This contraction can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats with allergic reactions to mints.
Cats will spit out peppermint fairly quickly, but this can cause further irritation to a cat’s digestive system or the lungs.
In spite of the peppermint’s strong offensive odor to humans, dogs seem to love the flavor.
How To Feed Peppermint To Your Cats?
Before giving peppermint to your pets, consult your veternarian.
Three or four peppermint leaves may be crushed and mixed with a small amount of food in your palm before giving it to your pet.
In a few cases, your pet may not like the taste of the mint and foods may be scattered around the floor. You may use the mint leaves as a breath freshener.
You may crush the mint leaves in between your fingers before putting it inside a pet’s treat toy.
You may make pet treats with crushed mint leaves or fresh mint leaves by mixing 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (without sugar) with a few drops of peppermint oil.
You may then use a little honey as well for flavouring.
As an occasional treat, you might also try and offer your pet a few pieces of the fresh leaves off the shrubs that grow in your garden.
Can Cats Eat Peppermint Tea?
Your cat’s stomach may benefit from the tea and some owners find it helps them to fall asleep.
If your pet suffers from anxiety or stress, you may try mixing some chamomile or catnip into the tea to help alleviate any nervous behavior. If your cat likes the flavor, provide it to her on occasion.
However, consult your vet before feeding her any herbal teas. She may recommend changing the diet to one that is easier on the stomach and easier for her to digest.
To assist dogs and their owners relax, a diluted valerian tea can also help ease tension.
Among the many fruits that your felines enjoy are apples and blueberries; these fruits offer a large selection of vitamins and antioxidants that include fiber and vitamins A and C.
Ensure that your cat’s stomach is not irritated, swollen or vomiting before you give this tea to them.
Peppermint is an animal-safe herb that increases feline appetite and relieves constipation and nausea when given in the right amounts. Peppermint oil must not be used with kittens or pregnant cats or dogs, however.
Peppermint oil can be inhaled or used in massage oils for pets suffering from joint and muscular pain.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Mint Ice Cream?
What To Do If Your Cat Licked Peppermint Oil?
Your cat should be OK if she has swallowed only a couple of drops of the oil she licked off your fingers or furniture.
However, if she has been exposed to more oil than this, she might need to go to the emergency room.
Peppermint oil, on the hand, can be toxic to your cat’s kidney and should be avoided completely.
To be on the safe side, we suggest seeing a veterinarian.
Conclusion
The essential oil of peppermint can be very irritating to your cat’s nose and eyes.
In tiny doses, it can be used as a supplement in your cat’s diet of canned food and sprinkled on dry food in small quantities.
It is an all-natural cure for a myriad of ailments and parasites in cats that should be avoided at all costs.
Your pet’s health is at serious risk if it ingests the peppermint oil.
The liver of a cat to process the peppermint oil is tiny when compared to that of humans or dogs.
As a result, they ingest it and experience a potential gastric upset or vomiting.
Avoid putting peppermint oil on your cat’s skin at all costs.
You can apply the oil to your cat’s feet. Your cat’s oils glands will secrete beneficial compounds and the oil will then be absorbed through the skin during the licking action.
Do not let your cat ingest the peppermint oil in any way or it will poison them and can cause death within 6 to 24 hours. Never use peppermint oil on your cat’s ears either.
Although cats do not have the same enzyme requirements as humans, they are sensitive to even small amounts of peppermint oil.
