![]() Spearmint, common mint, lamb mint, and mackerel mint are actually the same species as garden mint, whose Latin-based scientific name is mentha spicata. This is where things get tricky-garden mint has a number of other names that it commonly goes by. Garden mint is named on the ASPCA’s list of plants that are toxic to cats. It turns out that another type of mint plant, known as garden mint, is also a no-no when it comes to felines. When I saw catnip on this list of poisonous plants, I was curious about other types of mint, so I did some checking… Garden Mint Because the ASPCA is committed to preventing animal harm, you can safely assume that the organization would err on the side of caution. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) actually lists catnip as toxic to cats. Catnip can be found in a variety of pet stores, too, so it’s not surprising that many people believe it to be harmless. In fact, some cat owners vow that catnip is actually healthy for lethargic cats since it can stimulate movement, which can promote exercise. Many people believe that nepeta cataria, or catnip, is harmless for felines. While they may exhibit slight differences, these can all be categorized under the mint label known as nepeta cataria. Within this very genus, there are many other types of mint plants, such as Blue Wonder catmint, Faassen’s catmint, and Persian catmint. So if you’re trying to weed out the ‘safe’ mint plants from the ‘dangerous’ ones, it’s helpful to understand that there can be multiple names for a single mint species. First off, it’s important to recognize that there are many types of mint plants, and some common names even overlap across species.ĭid you know that catmint and catnip are two names for the same plant species, which is recognized by its Latin-based scientific name Nepeta cataria? This very plant is also referred to as catswort and catwort in some areas. In many ways, mint presents this challenge.īut there’s another tricky element to be considered when categorizing the safety of mint plants: the abundance of names and classifications. Labeling a plant ‘safe’ or ‘dangerous’ can be a bit challenging since lots of plants can trigger different responses depending on the cat’s specific tolerance or sensitivity. It’s an age-old adage: cats love catmint!Īfter all, the name itself, catmint, emphasizes this very point.īut is there any mint plant that is actually safe? ![]() ![]() While not all cats are affected the same, mint can trigger a wide range of side effects, and can even lead to mint poisoning-something all cat owners should be aware of. As it turns out, there are many varieties of mint plants, and most of them include a specific chemical component that can cause some unsafe responses in your cat’s behavior. This is due to the powerful stimulating components that can cause cats to respond with vomiting and diarrhea.Īnd there were even more surprises in store with my research about mint plants. While many sources claim that catmint, also known as catmint, is a harmless plant for cats to interact with, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists catmint alongside garden mint in the list of plants that are toxic to cats. It was during one of those moments of deliberation in the herb aisle that I started wondering: “ What mint plants are safe for cats?” This comes into play when selecting the plants that appear in the home garden…as some plants are toxic to our furry feline friends. When it comes to being a responsible pet owner, one of the most important responsibilities we have is to ensure that we are providing a healthy environment for our pets. If you’re like me, you’ve gotten stuck in the herb aisle for quite a long time debating between peppermint, spearmint, and lemon mint, wondering which is the best choice! Doesn’t cost you anything □Įveryone knows how much cats love the smell of mint plants but have you considered how safe mint plants are for felines? If you’ve ever tried to shop for fresh mint at your local farmer’s market or plant nursery, you’ve probably noticed that there are many types of mint plants available. This post contains affiliate links & I’ll be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
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