Mint

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.

Drooling, vomiting, irritation of the mouth and stomach, lethargy, unsteady walking; xylitol exposure can drop blood sugar within a short time and even cause seizures.

**Contact a vet immediately** if essential oil, mints or gum were eaten, and do not induce vomiting at home; if the cat only licked a fresh leaf, stop feeding and observe.

Cats are often drawn to the smell of mint, but **liking a scent is not permission to eat it**; keep toothpastes, mouthwash, oils and diffusers well out of reach, since xylitol products are just as dangerous for cats.

**Peppermint oil and mints are the real hazard**, not a leaf or two: menthol is irritating and can be toxic, and mints or gum often hold xylitol, which causes low blood sugar and liver injury. Dogs with reflux, seizures or liver disease should skip mint.

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth or stomach irritation, lethargy; xylitol exposure may begin with vomiting and unsteadiness and can progress to low blood sugar and seizures.

**Contact a vet immediately** if peppermint oil, mints or gum were eaten, and never induce vomiting at home; a leaf or two of fresh mint can be watched once feeding stops.

Never use mint, mints or chewing gum as a breath freshener; keep menthol toothpastes, mouthwashes and essential oil diffusers out of reach, and skip mint altogether for dogs with reflux, a seizure history or liver disease.