Herbs & Spices

Cats are more sensitive to Allium plants; even small amounts can cause oxidative damage to red blood cells and anaemia.

Cats are more sensitive to onion: their smaller body weight and shorter red cell lifespan mean even small amounts can cause marked anaemia.

Cats are more sensitive to Allium plants, and even very small amounts may cause oxidative red cell damage and anaemia.

Cats are more sensitive to Allium plants, and even very small amounts can cause oxidative red cell damage and anaemia.

Cilantro offers cats no nutritional value, at most a leaf that smells interesting.

Cats are more sensitive to irritants, so **large or concentrated ginger causes mouth and gut irritation** with vomiting, pain and loose stools; **ginger candy, tea and drinks add sugar a cat does not need**, and cats have no use for ginger.

Cats are more sensitive to irritating spices, and **piperine irritates the mouth and gut**, causing drooling, vomiting and pain; **whole peppercorns are a choking risk**; a cat needs no seasoning, and **piperine supplements and concentrates are off limits**.

Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, so **cinnamon oil must be avoided completely**: its cinnamaldehyde irritates the mouth and gut, causing drooling, vomiting and pain; **a lot of powder irritates the gut too**; a cat has no need for this spice.

Cats are especially sensitive to menthol, so **essential oil, mints and mint products can be toxic or strongly irritating**, and the xylitol in gum causes low blood sugar and liver injury; cats with reflux, seizures or liver disease should skip mint.

Basil gives cats no nutrition, at most a fresh-smelling leaf to sniff.

Parsley has no nutritional meaning for cats, at most a leaf that smells fresh.

Rosemary gives cats no nutrition, at most a small fresh-smelling sprig to sniff.

Thyme has no nutritional meaning for cats, at most a leaf that smells fresh.

**Turmeric supplements, with concentrated curcumin and black pepper extract, have no safety basis for cats**: they interact with drugs and may stress the gut and liver, and **a lot of the powder upsets the stomach too**, so a cat has no need for this spice.