Is Basil Safe For Cats To Consume?

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Basil is one of the most famous herbs we use in our nutrition. We all know how healthy it is and how much it can offer us, which is why we use it so much. If you are a cat parent, maybe you wondered: "Can basil be beneficial for cats?" or "Should I feed my cat basil?". You probably know that cats are obligate carnivores and don't need herbs in their main nutrition, but could basil spice their nutrition? Let's find out.

Is basil toxic to cats?

The most important thing about basil is that it is not toxic to cats. That means that if your cat accidentally eats some of the basil, it will not cause toxicity to your cat. Cats can sniff, lick, or even eat basil and shouldn't experience health problems. Based on our study from 2022, only 10% of cats will want to ingest basil. 90% of cats will not like the smell or the texture and will stay away.

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Can cats eat basil?

Generally speaking – yes. Cats can safely eat basil. The better question would be: "Should cats eat basil?". The answer to that question is - not so much. We all know the health benefits that basil can offer humans, and they are the main reason we use it so much.

Basil contains a very low amount of fat and cholesterol and offers a great source of fiber, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Basil is packed with

• Protein
• Fiber
• Beta-carotene
• Calcium
• Folate
• Potassium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K

So naturally, you would assume that cats will also get all the healthy benefits from basil. Well, not so much. Basil will not provide much nutritional value to your cat, and because of that, there is no reason you should give basil to your cat.

You probably already know that cats are obligate carnivores and that their nutrition should be based on meat products. Adding basil to their diet will not boost their immune system since all the nutrients they need will get from their well-balanced cat food.

That said, there is no reason why you should offer your cat some basil.

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What could happen if my cat eats basil?

Since basil is safe for cats to consume, nothing will happen to your cat if she eats some basil. The only potential problem with cats eating basil is if the cat eats basil from your table that was cooked with different spices. In this case, your cat could experience diarrhea and vomiting, although this is not so probable.

Cats with sensitive stomachs could also experience vomiting or diarrhea after eating basil, but this is also unlikely.

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Why would cats want to eat basil?

We all know that cats like to eat grass mainly for stomach problems. In some cases, your cat could start eating basil for the same reason. If this is the case with your cat, you must understand that basil will not help your cat's stomach as the grass will, and you will have to provide your cat with proper care to remove stomach problems from her life.

World Cat Finder Team