Basil

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

Offer a single small leaf and let the cat decide; it can never stand in for complete cat food.

Wash it under running water and pat it dry, use fresh leaves only, add no seasoning, and never mix it with garlic or onion.

**A cat may love the smell, but that is not permission to eat it**; **skip basil essential oil and concentrated products**, and stop feeding and contact a vet if drooling, vomiting or loose stools appear.

Basil is almost calorie-free with only traces of vitamins and minerals, so its only job is to add a fresh aroma that makes the bowl more interesting.

One or two fresh leaves, torn up and stirred into the food, is plenty; keep extras within about 10% of daily energy intake, with complete dog food as the main diet.

Rinse each leaf under running water and drain it; use fresh leaves only, with **no salt, oil or sauce, and never alongside garlic or onion**.

**Never feed pesto, which is heavy in oil, salt and garlic**; **do not give basil essential oil or concentrated extracts**, and never dose basil as a herb or medicine; stop feeding and contact a vet if vomiting or diarrhoea follows.