Cat-Friendly Herbs: Benefits, Nutrients and Safe Uses for Cats

Cats can benefit from certain herbs, but herbal use with cats requires more caution than with dogs. Cats metabolize many plant compounds differently and can be particularly sensitive to concentrated extracts and essential oils.

When appropriately selected and used in small amounts, herbs such as catnip, cat grass, valerian, dandelion, milk thistle, slippery elm, marshmallow root, chamomile, calendula, and rosemary can provide naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, flavonoids, and other beneficial plant compounds.

Knowing which herbs are safe for cats, what nutrients they contain, and how they are traditionally used can help cat owners make more informed choices.

Catnip for Cats

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is one of the best-known herbs for cats. It contains an aromatic compound called nepetalactone, which is responsible for the characteristic behavioral response experienced by many cats.

Catnip also naturally contains various antioxidants and aromatic plant compounds.

Potential benefits of catnip for cats: Enrichment, stimulation, relaxation after initial excitement, playfulness, stress support, and digestive comfort.

Not every cat responds to catnip. Sensitivity to the herb is largely genetic.

Small amounts of dried catnip can be offered as enrichment or incorporated into toys.

Cat Grass for Cats

"Cat grass" usually refers to young grasses grown specifically for cats, including wheat, oat, barley, and rye grass.

These grasses can provide fiber, chlorophyll, folate, vitamins, minerals, and other naturally occurring plant nutrients.

Potential benefits of cat grass: Dietary fiber, digestive support, enrichment, and healthy bowel function.

Cat grass should be grown without pesticides, herbicides, or potentially harmful fertilizers.

Valerian Root for Cats

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) contains naturally occurring compounds including valerenic acids and volatile aromatic constituents.

Interestingly, valerian can initially stimulate some cats rather than making them sleepy.

Potential benefits of valerian for cats: Enrichment, playfulness, relaxation following stimulation, and environmental stress support.

Only small amounts should be used, and concentrated valerian products should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Dandelion for Cats

Dandelion naturally contains vitamins A, C, E, and K along with minerals including potassium, calcium, and iron.

Dandelion root also contains inulin, a naturally occurring prebiotic fiber.

Potential benefits of dandelion for cats: Digestive support, nutritional support, gut wellness, prebiotic support, liver wellness, and healthy fluid balance.

Because dandelion can influence digestion and urination, cats with kidney, urinary, heart, or other medical conditions should receive it only with veterinary guidance.

Milk Thistle for Cats

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is best known for a group of flavonolignans collectively called silymarin, with silybin being one of its principal constituents.

Potential benefits of milk thistle for cats: Liver wellness, antioxidant protection, cellular support, and support for normal liver function.

Milk thistle is sometimes incorporated into veterinary liver-support products. Cats with liver disease, however, should be evaluated by a veterinarian rather than treated solely with herbs.

Slippery Elm for Cats

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) inner bark is naturally rich in mucilage, a type of soluble fiber that becomes slippery and gel-like when mixed with water.

Potential benefits of slippery elm for cats: Digestive comfort, gastrointestinal soothing, stool support, and soluble fiber.

Because mucilaginous herbs may interfere with the absorption of medications, slippery elm should generally be separated from oral medications unless a veterinarian recommends otherwise.

Marshmallow Root for Cats

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is also naturally rich in mucilage and polysaccharides.

When mixed with water, these compounds create a soothing preparation traditionally used for sensitive tissues.

Potential benefits of marshmallow root for cats: Digestive comfort, gastrointestinal support, throat and respiratory comfort, and urinary tract wellness.

Cats experiencing urinary symptoms, especially difficulty urinating, repeated trips to the litter box, crying while attempting to urinate, or producing little or no urine, require prompt veterinary attention.

Chamomile for Cats

Chamomile contains plant compounds including apigenin and other flavonoids and has a long history of traditional calming use.

Potential benefits of chamomile for cats: Relaxation support, digestive comfort, and soothing topical applications.

Chamomile requires greater caution with cats than many people realize. Species, preparation, concentration, and amount matter. Concentrated chamomile preparations and essential oils should not be given without veterinary guidance.

Calendula for Cats

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flowers contain naturally occurring flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenoids, and antioxidant plant compounds.

Potential benefits of calendula for cats: Skin wellness, antioxidant support, and soothing topical applications.

For cats, calendula is more commonly considered for appropriately formulated topical preparations than as a routine dietary herb. Prevent excessive licking of topical preparations.

Rosemary for Cats

Rosemary contains antioxidant compounds including rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid.

Small quantities of rosemary are sometimes present in commercially prepared pet foods.

Potential benefits of rosemary for cats: Antioxidant support and food preservation.

This does not mean concentrated rosemary products are appropriate for cats. Rosemary essential oil is dramatically more concentrated than the culinary herb and should not be treated as equivalent.

How to Introduce Herbs to Your Cat Safely

Cats are not small dogs. Their liver metabolism differs significantly from that of humans and dogs, which makes them particularly sensitive to certain chemicals found naturally in plants.

Introduce only one appropriate herb at a time and use very small quantities.

Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, unusual sleepiness, agitation, difficulty walking, tremors, changes in breathing, or other unusual behavior.

Stop using the product and contact a veterinarian if concerning symptoms develop.

The appropriate amount depends on the cat's body weight, age, health, medications, and the exact form and concentration of the herb.

Essential Oils and Cats

Essential oils require particular caution around cats.

Essential oils contain highly concentrated plant chemicals and are completely different from offering a tiny amount of the whole culinary herb.

Cats can be exposed through ingestion, skin contact, grooming contaminated fur, or inhalation of concentrated vapors or droplets.

Do not assume an essential oil is safe simply because the original plant is considered safe.

Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, citrus, pine, and several other concentrated essential oils can present significant risks to cats.

If essential oils are used in a household with cats, veterinary guidance and careful attention to ventilation, concentration, exposure route, and the cat's ability to leave the area are important.

Plants and Herbs Cats Should Avoid

Many plants that humans routinely consume or use medicinally are inappropriate for cats.

Onions, garlic, chives, and other concentrated members of the Allium family can damage a cat's red blood cells.

Lilies are particularly dangerous to cats. Certain true lilies and daylilies can cause life-threatening kidney injury from very small exposures, including contact with pollen or water from a vase containing lilies.

Aloe vera plant material can also cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested.

Before introducing an unfamiliar herb or plant, confirm both its botanical identity and feline safety.

Are Herbs Good for Cats?

Appropriately selected herbs can complement feline wellness by providing fiber, antioxidants, flavonoids, polysaccharides, prebiotic compounds, vitamins, minerals, and environmental enrichment.

However, cats are obligate carnivores. Herbs should never replace the animal proteins and essential nutrients required in a nutritionally complete feline diet.

Herbal products should instead be viewed as occasional or targeted wellness support when appropriate for the individual cat.

For kittens, pregnant or nursing cats, senior cats, cats taking medications, or cats with kidney, liver, heart, urinary, digestive, or other medical conditions, consult a veterinarian before introducing herbal supplements.

NYC Herbs® | Plants Over Pills®

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease in animals. Cats can be particularly sensitive to concentrated botanical products and essential oils. Consult a veterinarian before introducing herbal supplements, especially for cats with existing medical conditions or those taking medications.