do cats like peppermint

Most cats do not like peppermint since it contains salicylate

, an ingredient that is toxic to cats. Inversely, some cats are drawn to the smell of peppermint because it has nepetalactone-mimicking compounds that are present in catnip. Mint plants are considered harmful for cats except for catnip and catmint.

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Is peppermint dangerous to cats?

Aug 23, 2019 · Many cats do not like the smell of peppermint as it contains Salicylate which is poisonous to cats. Unfortunately, some cats are attracted to the peppermint plant because it contains Nepetalactone mimicking compounds, the active ingredient in Catnip. Most plants in the mint family contain essential oils which are harmful to cats.

Are cats attracted to Peppermint?

Yes, most cats hate peppermint. Most cats do not like peppermint since it contains salicylate, an ingredient that is toxic to cats. Inversely, some cats are drawn to the smell of peppermint because it has nepetalactone-mimicking compounds that are present in catnip.

Can Peppermint hurt cats?

Feb 03, 2022 · Some cats tend to show an interest in peppermint and mint products too, so you may wonder whether it’s okay for your cat to snack on a little peppermint candy or nibble a mint plant in the kitchen occasionally. The short answer is that no, cats should not eat peppermint foods or mint plants. Keep reading to learn more about why cats should not eat peppermint …

Does peppermint scent affect cats?

Cats do not have any nutritional need for peppermint. Plus, many furry pets do not even like the strong, bitter aroma and flavor of peppermint. It is a natural and healthy herb. Peppermint contains vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium. Peppermint in small amounts and on occasional periods is safe for furry pets.

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May 04, 2020 · Peppermint oil is, quite simply, not safe for cats. And if you’ve already tried using peppermint oil on your cat, you’ve learned that cats despise the smell as well. Your cat’s olfactory receptors are 14 times more powerful than your own.

Can the smell of peppermint hurt cats?

Just smelling the aroma can cause your kitty to develop difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and aspiration pneumonia. Peppermint oil, like many essential oils, contains phenols and phenolic compounds. Cats are very sensitive to phenols, whether exposure comes via inhalation or ingestion.

Are cats attracted to peppermint?

Many cats do not like the smell of peppermint as it contains Salicylate which is poisonous to cats. Unfortunately, some cats are attracted to the peppermint plant because it contains Nepetalactone mimicking compounds, the active ingredient in Catnip.

Does peppermint keep cats away?

Yes, peppermint oil deters cats. One of the things cats dislike is peppermint oil due to its strong, concentrated smell. Peppermint contains the ingredient salicylate, which is toxic to cats. Therefore, most cats hate the scent of peppermint.

What does peppermint do to cats?

If the cat's nervous system or breathing is severely affected by the peppermint or peppermint oil, it may die. The best way to make sure your pet is safe is to keep all peppermint products out of reach. Stay away from peppermint air fresheners and don't ever let your pet near this plant's essential oils.

Do cats hate the smell of mint?

More smells cats hate include mint and strong mint-related odors, such as wintergreen and menthol. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

What smells do cats love?

Cats have superior olfactory senses and are attracted by a variety of scents. They enjoy a variety of plants: catnip, silver vine, valerian root, Tatarian Honeysuckle, basil, cat thyme, and catmint.

Which smells do cats hate?

As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.

Is smelling peppermint oil safe?

Peppermint oil in a gel, water, or cream applied topically to the nipple area of breastfeeding women might be helpful for reducing pain and cracked skin. Menthol, which is in peppermint oil, should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child because it may negatively affect their breathing.

What smell will repel cats?

herb rue, either planted or sprinkled in its dry form. Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.

What smells are toxic to cats?

What Scents Are Harmful to Cats?Citrus oil.Tea tree oil.Wintergreen oil.Pine oil.Peppermint oil.Eucalyptus oil.Ylang Ylang oil.Pennyroyal oil.More items...•

What is a natural cat repellent?

To keep cats away from gardens, flower beds, or specific areas of property, scatter fragrant items that don't appeal to a cat's sense of smell, like fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus-scented sprays, coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, or oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus.

Is dried peppermint safe for cats?

All parts of mint, particularly leaves, flowers, and stems, are unsafe for your feline friends. These plants are loaded with essential oils, which are highly toxic to not just cats, but also horses and dogs.

Why do cats like peppermint?

However, some cats also like peppermint because it has nepetalactone-mimicking compounds that are also found in catnip that cats adore.

Is spearmint bad for cats?

Spearmint and other hybrid mints contain lower levels of salicylate compared to peppermint and they are not as toxic for cats.

Can peppermint oil cause pneumonia in cats?

The nervous system of cats is sensitive to peppermint oil and some cats may contract aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms include fast or labored breathing, fever and erratic heart rate. Cats that have ingested something containing peppermint may develop an upset stomach, liver damage and problems with the central nervous system. Just a drop of peppermint essential oil on your cat could make her unresponsive or lethargic.

Is peppermint oil safe for cats?

These plants are cultivated because of their health benefits for people and are often used as tea. The actual plants only contain low levels of salicylate but peppermint oil which is used for aromatherapy or in candy contains concentrated formulation which could harm cats. Salicylate is also found in aspirin.

Why Are Cats Attracted to the Smell of Mint?

The reason that cats tend to be attracted to peppermint foods and mint plants is that mint smells similar to catnip. After all, catnip is part of the mint family. Cats don’t seem to be able to tell the difference between peppermint, mint, and catnip overall. They not only like the smell but also the taste.

Why Are Peppermint Foods and Mint Plants Dangerous to Cats?

While the scent of peppermint foods and mint plants is not dangerous to your cat, the components inside these things are the problem. Mint and peppermint oils are toxic to cats. When ingested, the components in the oils result in illnesses such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Some Peppermint Foods Might Be Okay

It used to be that peppermint foods like candy canes and cakes were made with peppermint oil, but that is not always the case today. Some candy canes and peppermint foods are made with artificial peppermint flavor, which does not include the actual oil of the peppermint plant.

Essential Oils Are a No-Go

Mint and peppermint essential oils are not healthy for cats. Even diffusing these oils can cause health problems. If you do use peppermint or mint essential oil for anything, keep it in a contained area that your cat cannot access.

How to Grow Mint While Keeping Your Cat Safe

It is possible to grow mint plants while keeping your cat safe from harm. First, you should grow them outside if your cat lives strictly indoors. This will help ensure that your cat never gets even close to a mint plant throughout the day or at night when you are not around to supervise.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats Peppermint or Mint

If you find that your cat has nibbled on a mint leaf or snagged peppermint candy, watch for signs of gastrointestinal distress. Make sure that plenty of clean water is available, and ensure that all mint and peppermint items are no longer accessible.

In Conclusion

To ensure their health and safety, our cats should never have access to mint or peppermint plants or peppermint foods. They should also never be around peppermint and mint essential oils. Sometimes, though, cats can get into some mint or peppermint products regardless of our efforts to keep them away.

What happens if you don't get a vet for peppermint?

Ataxia (wobbliness) Unresponsive ness. If you can’t reach your vet, call a pet poison helpline. Peppermint essential oil’s toxicity isn’t anything to take lightly because in the worst-case scenario, it can lead to death. Never apply peppermint oil without consulting your vet first.

What is peppermint oil used for?

Peppermint is a cross between wintergreen and spearmint. Its essential oil is traditionally used to treat irritable bowels, upset stomach and nausea. Topically, this essential oil can be applied to relieve itch and muscle aches. In aromatherapy, herbalists claim its diffused oils increase energy and open the airways.

What to do if your cat is breathless?

If your cat is exhibiting breathlessness, ataxia, or any of the symptoms listed above, be sure to get her checked out by a veterinary professional as soon as possible.

Can peppermint oil harm a cat's liver?

If your cat ingests peppermint oil, it can upset her stomach, cause liver damage, and adversely affect her nervous system. In cats, ingesting essential oils with phenols can even lead to liver failure and death.

Can peppermint oil cause pneumonia in cats?

While you may find peppermint refreshing, evoking memories of Christmas, your cat does not share your fond affection for the oil. She’ll be overwhelmed by it. Just smelling the aroma can cause your kitty to develop difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and aspiration pneumonia.

Can you use a diffuser on a cat?

Wismer advises that you only use an essential oil diffuser in a room completely separated from your cat. However, she notes, if your cat has a history of breathing problems, you should avoid using a diffuser at all. This list contains many common essential oils that are toxic to cats, but it’s not exhaustive.

Do cats like cedarwood?

Like fleas, cats dislike the smell of cedarwood oil.

What happens if a cat smells mint?

That minty fresh smell that makes you feel clean and tingly won't have the same pleasant effects on your feline friends. Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, fast or labored breathing ...

What are the symptoms of a cat coughing up mint oil?

Symptoms include fever, fast or labored breathing and a rapid heart rate. Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil.

Can cats eat peppermint?

Cats like catmint or catnip, so perhaps they'll enjoy the scent of peppermint, too. While it's a logical assumption, peppermint bothers cats and poses a significant health risk, so vets recommend against it. Veterinary care for cats that inhale or ingest peppermint is expensive and time consuming.

Is it safe to put mint in a reed diffuser?

The ASPCA notes that many reed diffuser kits contain essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal and central nervous system problems. Even if you are certain the scent contains no mint, it still may not be safe for your pet.

Is peppermint oil safe for cats?

Even putting peppermint essential oil on your pet can be dangerous: one drop of essential oil made a cat so lethargic and unresponsive that her owner sought emergency veterinary attention, aromatherapist Kristen Leigh Bell warns.

What happens if a cat inhales mint oil?

If your cat inhales mint oil, she might get aspiration pneumonia. Fever, quick or laborious breathing, and a high heart rate are all symptoms. Coughing or sneezing out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil, is common in cats.

What essential oil is good for dogs?

Peppermint oil is an example of an essential oil that is occasionally advised for usage in dogs, particularly for flea control.

What are the symptoms of mint poisoning?

Mint poisoning can be caused by consuming excessive quantities of peppermint. Diarrhea, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, and overall weakness are all common symptoms.

Does peppermint make cats sick?

Peppermint will make your cat sick fairly instantly. Peppermint is readily absorbed through a cat’s skin, despite its odor.

Can peppermint cause pneumonia in cats?

Peppermint smells alone can generally induce aspiration pneumonia in cats owing to the strong perfume of peppermint breaching their delicate neurological system.

Can cats eat peppermint?

To answer your question, no, cats cannot eat peppermint. Cats should avoid peppermint plants, as well as any other mint plant types. Cats are poisoned by the essential oils found in these plants.

Can cats eat mint leaves?

As a result, make sure your cat doesn’t eat the mint leaves or any other plant parts.

How long does it take for peppermint oil to get out of a cat's body?

Moving on, it takes at least 3 days for your feline to excrete peppermint oil from her body completely. In severe cases, it can also damage your fluffy friend’s liver too!

Does peppermint oil help with head pain?

Usually, you may find peppermint oil refreshing and useful for a heavy head, muscle pains, and skin irritation for yourself, but what about cats? Does it benefit your cat?

Does peppermint oil kill fleas?

Yes, peppermint oil acts as a natural flea repellent; many people use a peppermint oil spray to get rid of fleas. It is a great home remedy for preventing flea. It targets the central nervous system of fleas, causing them to die slowly and painfully. But, it is not a safe practice for cats.

Can cats tolerate peppermint oil?

Well, most cats will have a distinct tolerance level for peppermint oil. Some may show symptoms like:

Can you use catnip instead of peppermint oil?

But, it is recommended that you use catnip as a substitute over peppermint oil because it is very rare that peppermint oil won’t harm her and help her to calm down.

Is peppermint oil safe for cats?

The short answer is no, peppermint oil is not safe for cats. In fact, it can be lethal for cats. It contains the ingredients menthol and menthone, both of which are harmful to cats. Peppermint Oil is toxic as it can make their skin irritated and can cause an upset stomach. In large amounts, it can cause death.

Can you use peppermint oil on cats?

For the best of your cat, you must avoid using peppermint oil as an air freshener or diffuser. In case you use it, keep your cat out of its reach. It is not just limited to peppermint oil but also applies to various other toxic essential oils like cinnamon oil, ylang-ylang oil, wintergreen oil, etc.

What family is peppermint in?

Peppermint is in the mint family which includes catnip. I've seen a number of cats who really like it.

Is peppermint poisonous to cats?

You can buy "Peppermint and Charcoal" tablets to treat cats and dogs bad breath, so peppermint is not poisonous to cats.