Can Cats Eat Rosemary? Vet-Verified Potential Benefits & Risks
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If you like to cook for your cat, you might be tempted to sprinkle a little rosemary on their chicken. Or maybe you’ve brought home a rosemary plant and noticed that your cat likes to munch on it, which, by the way, is quite rare but might happen.
Then it occurs to you — wait, is that safe? Or are you possibly exposing your feline friend to a toxic plant that could do serious damage to them? Regardless of whether you’re just playing it safe or are desperately searching for answers after already letting your cat feast on the stuff, we’re here to let you know that your cat should not eat rosemary.
Is Rosemary Safe for Cats?
According to the ASPCA, rosemary is not toxic for cats, which means it won’t kill them to eat it.1
Rosemary can, however, upset a cat’s stomach if consumed in sufficient quantities, so it’s best to discourage your cat from eating it even if it won’t kill them.
As discussed above, it’s unlikely that your cat will enjoy the taste enough to mow through enough rosemary plants to upset their stomach, but cats have certainly eaten weirder things.
Food that's been seasoned with rosemary isn't overly problematic, except for the fact that your cat shouldn't eat human food. If your cat gets ahold of a table scrap, it's usually not a cause for concern. Just don't let it become a habit.
What Is Rosemary?
Rosemary is considered a culinary herb used in cuisine across the globe. It has a lemon-pine flavor, and it’s often paired with foods like lamb, pork, and pizza sauce.
While you can buy rosemary at the store, many people like to grow their own at home because it’s easy to manage and doesn’t require much space.
Some cats will eat rosemary plants if given the opportunity, but many animals don’t care for the taste or the aroma. As a matter of fact, it’s often used as a deterrent against deer and other animals, including cats.
Does Rosemary Have Any Health Benefits for Cats?
Maybe, and we say this with great hesitation. The plant is filled with antioxidants, including rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, which have proven medicinal effects on humans and laboratory animals1. However, we could not find any evidence of health benefits from feeding rosemary to cats.
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What’s the Verdict? Is Rosemary Safe for Cats?
If you’ve already caught your cat chowing down on your rosemary plant, don’t panic — it won’t kill them. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll have a big mess to clean up in the litter box (but what else is new, right?).
In fact, you should likely encourage your cat to eat as much rosemary as their stomach can handle, as it may offer some healthy antioxidants, which have very important health benefits. In fact, for your peace of mind, you should know that rosemary is used as an antioxidant in some commercial cat food. However, we think it’s unlikely that your cat will voluntarily indulge in rosemary, as many animals can’t stand the taste or the smell of the stuff. Also, please never offer your cat rosemary essential oil. Instead, stick to some leaves of the potted plant.
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
