Can Cats Eat Basil Leaves?

Basil should not be missing in any herb garden, because the popular herb goes well with numerous dishes and drinks. Unfortunately, plants and herbs quickly become dangerous in cat households, as many green and useful plants are poisonous for cats. Your cat eats basil and you are wondering if basil is poisonous to cats? In this article, you will get answers.

Can Cats Eat Basil?

• Basil is rich in essential oils that will keep most cats away from the plant.
• No need to worry: the plant is not toxic to cats in small quantities.
• If your cat regularly nibbles on your herbs, offer them fresh cat grass as an alternative.

Do Cats Like Basil?

Like many other herbs, basil contains essential oils, the intense smell of which is a deterrent for cats. But not only the smell, but also the shape of the leaves make the herb uninteresting for many cats, as most fur noses prefer to nibble on grass-like stalks and plants. Many cats therefore automatically keep their distance from fresh basil.

Is Basil Poisonous to Cats?

Your cat is not put off by the smell of your basil plant and nibbles on the leaves every now and then? Don’t panic: despite the essential oils, basil is considered non-toxic to cats. In small quantities, the plant can even do the cat well, since basil is a natural medicinal plant for digestive problems. However, the basil should not be consumed by the cat in large quantities. If the cat eats too much of it, it can – as with all plants and herbs – vomit. However, there is no risk to the health of your cat.

If your cat eats basil leaves or other culinary herbs on a regular basis, this may be a signal that it is lacking fresh greens to nibble on. Find out which herbs are poisonous to avoid poisoning your cat. Also, offer your cat healthy alternatives like cat grass. If the cat does not immediately accept the alternative, place the cat grass next to the basil. Due to the shape and smell of the leaves, your velvet paw will most likely opt for the cat grass, which is very digestible and aids the digestion of swallowed hair.