Can cats eat Mint?
Caution. Small amounts of fresh mint leaves are unlikely to harm cats, but several mint species contain essential oils that are moderately toxic in larger amounts — and mint essential oil is definitely toxic.
Content compiled with reference to guidance from the Blue Cross, PDSA, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Battersea, and Animal PoisonLine. This site does not provide veterinary advice — always consult a vet. Last reviewed: 27 September 2026.
Key facts
- Verdict: Caution — some risk involved. See the detail below before giving mint to your cat.
- Category: Herb
- Onset: Signs can start 0–12 hours — see the full timeline below.
If your cat has eaten mint
- For a nibbled leaf: monitor for vomiting.
- For a larger ingestion or essential oil exposure: call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000.
What's the full picture?
Common garden mint (Mentha spicata, spearmint) is considered low-risk in small amounts. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is more concerning due to higher essential oil content.
A cat nibbling a mint leaf in the garden is not an emergency. A cat that has got into a bunch of fresh mint from the kitchen may have GI upset (vomiting, drooling).
Peppermint essential oil — used in diffusers, room sprays, or mouth rinses — is toxic to cats and should not be used in a cat household.
Symptoms to watch for
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Questions owners ask
How much mint would actually cause a problem for a cat?
A single nibbled leaf from a garden mint plant is not an emergency and is considered low-risk. A cat that gets into a whole bunch of fresh mint from the kitchen, eating a significant quantity, can develop drooling and vomiting from the essential oil content, particularly with peppermint rather than spearmint. Concentrated mint essential oil, in contrast, is genuinely toxic and shouldn't be used around cats at all.
Is peppermint tea or peppermint oil in a diffuser a risk even if my cat doesn't eat the plant?
Yes. Peppermint essential oil used in diffusers, room sprays, or oral rinses is a concentrated exposure that cats can inhale or absorb through the skin, and it carries the same essential-oil toxicity risk described for tea tree, eucalyptus, and other oils on this site — don't use it in a cat household, regardless of how the fresh plant itself is tolerated.
Is catnip a safer alternative if I want to give my cat a herb to enjoy?
Yes — catnip is genuinely safe and cats can't overdose on it, unlike mint, which carries some essential-oil-related risk in larger amounts. If you're growing herbs for your cat's enjoyment specifically, catnip, cat grass, or valerian are purpose-suited options rather than culinary mint.
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Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team