Herbs safe for cats

Herbs safe for cats are most of the kitchen windowsill: every herb below is graded S0 Safe for cats against ASPCA records, with no toxic principle on record for any of them — basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, cilantro, and Lemon Balm. The catch is that the two herbs cats actually go looking for are not on the list. Garden mint is S1 Caution, with vomiting and diarrhea on record after large ingestions, and catnip is S1 Caution too: the ASPCA notes that many cats love it, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Neither is a poisoning, but neither is S0, and the two are covered further down. The six that are S0 all want direct light.

BasilThe ASPCA lists Ocimum basilicum as safe with no toxic principle on record — Thai basil and sweet basil included. Direct light, water every 2–4 days; the thirstiest herb here.

CilantroCoriandrum sativum — cilantro and coriander are the same plant, leaf and seed — listed safe by the ASPCA. Direct light, water every 3–5 days; the fussiest of the six. Its alias "Chinese parsley" is a name, not a verdict: parsley is a different plant, graded S2 Irritant — see the caution list below.

Lemon BalmMelissa officinalis

RosemaryRosmarinus officinalis, listed safe by the ASPCA with no toxin on record. Direct light, low humidity, water every 5–9 days — it would rather dry out than sit wet.

SageSalvia officinalis, the culinary sage, listed safe by the ASPCA. Direct light, low humidity, water every 5–9 days. Russian sage is a different plant and not covered.

ThymeThymus vulgaris, safe for cats, dogs, and horses on the ASPCA record. Direct light, low humidity, water every 4–7 days; happy on a cat-height sill.

Common, but not safe

The herbs a cat chooses are the ones to watch. Garden mint (Mentha) is S1 Caution: the ASPCA records essential oils causing vomiting and diarrhea with large ingestions — a nibble is unlikely to matter, a feast can. Catnip (Nepeta cataria, also sold as catmint) is S1 Caution on nepetalactone; the ASPCA's own wording is that many cats love it, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and it leaves some cats sedated and others stimulated. Lavender and oregano are S1 Caution too — nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite for lavender; mild vomiting and diarrhea for oregano. The one herb here graded higher is parsley, S2 Irritant: the ASPCA records furanocoumarins causing a sunburn-like skin reaction and dermatitis, and notes that large amounts are needed. None of the five is a poisoning; none is S0.

MintS1 Caution: essential oils, vomiting and diarrhea with large ingestions. Covers Mentha only — not every plant with mint in the name.

CatnipS1 Caution: many cats love it, but the ASPCA records vomiting and diarrhea, and sedation in some cats, stimulation in others. Covers Nepeta cataria, catmint included.

LavenderS1 Caution: linalool and linalyl acetate cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite on record. The plant only — oils are not covered.

OreganoS1 Caution: gastrointestinal irritants, mild vomiting and diarrhea on record. Greek oregano included.

ParsleyS2 Irritant: furanocoumarins cause a sunburn-like skin reaction and dermatitis; the ASPCA notes large amounts are needed. Not the same plant as cilantro's "Chinese parsley".

6 plants verified so far. This list grows as the index does — every entry is checked against ASPCA / Pet Poison Helpline records before it appears here.