As a cat owner, you probably know that it’s not a good idea to let your cat eat from the dinner table. 

However, if you’re growing basil in your garden and want to share it with your feline friend or simply want to know if it’s safe for him/her to nibble on some fresh leaves while they’re out of the house on their own adventures, then read our guide below!

Cats are naturally carnivores and so they don’t require many vegetables and fruits in their diet. However, a lot of people feed their cats vegetables and fruits because they believe that these can add to the taste of their food. 

Basil is one of those herbs which are frequently fed to cats as an alternative. 

But there are few facts about feeding them basil leaves that you should know before feeding them with this leafy green herb.

Can Cats Eat Basil?

The answer is yes, but in small quantities. A teaspoon of basil won’t hurt your cat and will add a bit of flavor to their food. Just make sure that it’s organic and not treated with pesticides because those can be harmful to cats.

Another reason to give your cat basil is that it can help with digestion. Cats have sensitive stomachs and sometimes have problems digesting their food properly—especially if they’re eating something new. 

Basil can be a great way to ease them into new diets because it helps with digestion while also promoting healthy fur and bones.

What is Basil?

Basil is an herb, a member of the mint family. Basil has a wide variety of uses and is used in cooking, medicine, and religious ceremonies.

Basil has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The oil extracted from its leaves is thought to be good for the skin. It has also been shown to help with digestion when consumed as part of food or as an herbal tea.

Some basil varieties are thought to have a calming effect and may be used as a sleep aid. The specific health benefits of basil are not well understood, but it has been shown to help with digestion when consumed as part of food or as an herbal tea.

It’s also thought to have a calming effect and may be used as a sleep aid.

Can Cats Eat Basil Leaves?

Yes, cats can eat basil. But, before you go and start throwing handfuls of basil into your cat’s bowl, there are some things you should know.

First of all, basil is not toxic to cats. It may be upsetting to their digestive systems if they eat too much or too quickly, but it will not hurt them in any way.

Second, while basil has no nutritional value for cats (they’re carnivores), they will probably still enjoy chewing on it because it’s a nice change from their usual fare and because they like the way it smells.

So if your cat wants some basil in his or her life and you don’t mind giving it to them (even though there’s no reason for him/her to have it), go ahead and give it a try!

Do cats like Basil? 

Cats and basil are an allowed combination. But, not all cats like basil.

Basil is an herb that has been cultivated for about 5,000 years. It’s part of the mint family and can be used in everything from pesto sauce to stir-fries.

The flavor of basil is similar to mint, so it’s not surprising that many cats enjoy chewing on it—especially if they’re looking for something to munch on while they’re watching you cook dinner.

But, unfortunately, there’s no way to know whether your cat will like basil until you offer it to them first! 

Are there any benefits of feeding Basil to cats?

As far as nutritional value goes, basil has none. It contains no vitamins or minerals and is not recommended as a food source for cats. The leaves can be harmful if eaten in large quantities, but they’re otherwise non-toxic.

It should also be noted that some cats may like the taste of basil; if your cat enjoys eating it straight out of the garden or even better when fresh from your kitchen countertops, then by all means go ahead! 

Just remember to watch them carefully because too much could cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea—but again this is only likely if you have an especially adventurous eater on your hands!

Can Cats Eat Dried Basil?

While dried basil is not toxic to cats, it’s not nutritious either. In fact, if your cat eats too much of it or is fed an excessive amount over a long period of time, it can cause problems.

Dried basil doesn’t have any nutritional value for your cat and contains no health benefits at all. In fact, feeding your feline friend too much of this spice could result in vomiting and diarrhea as well as other digestive issues such as constipation or bloating due to indigestion. 

Since there are no health benefits from eating basil leaves in excess amounts (or at all), it’s best to avoid giving them to your pet altogether if possible!

Is Basil toxic to cats?

You can safely feed your cat a small amount of Basil, but larger amounts of essential oil can be toxic to cats.

If you’re giving your cat basil, make sure it’s in moderation so that they don’t get an upset stomach. 

Cats should not eat pureed basil leaves since the tannins in them could cause an upset stomach and other side effects like vomiting or diarrhea

Can You Cook with Basil for Cats?

Basil is not toxic to cats but it has no nutritional value for them either: It’s a plant with a lot of flavors but no substance. In other words, don’t expect your cat to get any nutritional value from eating basil leaves!

The problem with basil (and most herbs) is that small amounts can be harmless—but large amounts may be dangerous or even deadly for pets. 

Side effects of feeding too much Basil to cats 

  • Basil is not toxic to cats, but too much may cause digestive upset. Because basil contains oxalates, which can cause kidney stones, it’s best to monitor the amount of basil you feed your cat.
  • Basil is high in calcium and can cause urinary tract issues. If you’re feeding your cat a lot of basil, keep an eye on its urine: if it starts to get cloudy or have blood in it (more than a speck), then you need to bring your cat straight to the vet!
  • Basil is high in iron and can cause anemia. Eating too much iron leads to an overload of iron absorption by the body which can lead to anemia—a condition where there’s not enough red blood cells for oxygen transport throughout our bodies (and especially lethal for kittens).

Can cats consume Basil essential oil?

For the most part, essential oils are toxic to cats. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in severe cases. 

Cats have a short digestive tract, which means it takes them less time than dogs or humans to digest food and absorb nutrients from their food. 

Because of this fact, essential oils will enter your cat’s bloodstream much faster than other types of foods would. This can cause adverse effects much more quickly than if your cat ingested something else.

Essential oils do not contain water like other foods do which creates another problem: they don’t get digested as easily by the stomach enzymes that are normally present in our systems (or at least I hope they aren’t present anymore).

Final verdict : can cats eat Basil ?

So, can cats eat basil? In short, yes. But you should be cautious about the amount you feed your cat and ensure that the basil is fresh and not dried. 

If your cat does like to eat basil, it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of digestive upset or an allergic reaction. If your kitty shows any of these symptoms after eating basil, see a vet immediately.

It is safe to feed your cat Basil, but you should be aware that some side effects can occur and that it has no nutritional value. You should also keep the amount of basil you feed them at a reasonable level so that it does not cause harm to their health.

We hope this blog post has answered any nutrition-related questions you had about whether cats can eat Basil or not! If there is anything else we didn’t cover in detail or if you still have more specific questions on this topic, feel free to reach out with your concerns by clicking the contact button below.

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Meow For Now 😉

XoXo

Genie

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