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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchShort answer: The ASPCA lists basil, rosemary, common thyme and garden sage as non-toxic to cats. It lists Greek oregano, parsley, garden mint, marjoram, and Spanish thyme (also called Indian borage) as toxic. That is nine supported herbs, not ten. Do not add an unverified tenth herb just to match a headline.
“Non-toxic” is a plant-list classification, not a feeding recommendation. Cats can still vomit or develop gastrointestinal upset after eating any plant material, and the ASPCA entries do not establish safe serving sizes, nutritional benefits, or safety for concentrated oils and extracts.
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How to read the ASPCA herb classifications
The ASPCA cat plant database separates plants by reported toxicity. A non-toxic listing means the plant is not expected to contain the toxic principles covered by that entry when a cat encounters it. It does not mean the herb is part of a cat’s proper diet, that every preparation is safe, or that a particular amount can be predicted to cause no reaction.
The ASPCA’s general plant-safety guidance says consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. A cat that nibbles a listed non-toxic herb therefore still needs observation. A toxic listing also is not a dose calculator: the amount eaten, the cat’s size and health, the plant part, and the time since exposure all affect the individual risk.
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The source material reviewed for this article supports four non-toxic herb names and five toxic ones. Because no tenth herb was established by the same evidence, the safest answer to a “10 herbs” headline is to explain the nine verified entries rather than invent a plant or imply that an unverified herb is safe.
Quick reference: nine herbs in the ASPCA entries
| Herb name used in shops or kitchens | Botanical identity | ASPCA cat-list classification | Signs or important caveat stated by the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Non-toxic | Non-toxic classification only; eating plant material can still cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset. |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Non-toxic | Non-toxic classification only; no safe serving size or extract assessment is established. |
| Common thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Non-toxic | Different plant from Spanish thyme; plant-eating caveat still applies. |
| Garden sage | Salvia officinalis | Non-toxic | Non-toxic classification only; no feeding dose or concentrated-product assessment is established. |
| Greek oregano | Origanum vulgare hirtum | Toxic | ASPCA lists gastrointestinal irritation, including mild vomiting and diarrhea. |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | Toxic | Photosensitization is listed; large amounts are needed for that effect according to the entry. |
| Garden mint | Mentha sp. | Toxic | Vomiting and diarrhea are listed after large ingestions. |
| Marjoram | Origanum majorana | Toxic | Vomiting and diarrhea are listed. |
| Spanish thyme (Indian borage) | Coleus ampoinicus | Toxic | Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, and occasionally bloody vomiting or diarrhea are listed. |
Herbs the ASPCA lists as non-toxic
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is listed as non-toxic to cats. That classification can help you decide what to do if a cat brushes against a basil plant or takes a small exploratory nibble. It does not make basil a treat, supplement, or source of a proven feline health benefit. The ASPCA does not provide a serving size for cats, and the general guidance still warns that plant consumption can upset the stomach.
Keep the botanical name in mind when buying a plant. “Basil” can refer to several cultivated varieties, while the ASPCA entry identifies Ocimum basilicum. If a label identifies a different species or a blend, do not automatically transfer this classification to it.
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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is also listed as non-toxic. A cat’s contact with the living herb is therefore not treated the same way as contact with a plant listed as toxic. Nevertheless, the classification does not establish that rosemary leaves should be deliberately fed, nor does it cover concentrated oils, extracts, or products with additional ingredients.
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If your cat chews rosemary and then vomits, do not assume the plant list proves another illness is impossible. The ASPCA’s general warning allows for gastrointestinal upset from any plant material, and persistent or severe signs warrant veterinary advice.
Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Common thyme is listed as non-toxic. The exact species matters because another plant sold under a thyme common name—Spanish thyme—is listed as toxic. Use Thymus vulgaris when identifying the non-toxic entry, particularly if a nursery tag, recipe, or social-media post uses only “thyme.”
The ASPCA entry does not say how much common thyme a cat may eat safely. Treat the classification as information for exposure triage, not permission to add thyme to meals or give a thyme preparation by mouth.
Garden sage (Salvia officinalis)
Garden sage, identified as Salvia officinalis, is listed as non-toxic. As with the other three plants in this group, the listing concerns plant toxicity and does not establish dietary value, a cat-safe dose, or the safety of concentrated sage products.
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When a cat has access to several plants, identify each one rather than relying on a visual guess. A plant sold as “sage” may have a different botanical identity, and a mixed planter can contain both listed and unlisted species.
Herbs the ASPCA lists as toxic
Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum)
Greek oregano is listed as toxic to cats. The ASPCA entry describes gastrointestinal irritation, with mild vomiting and diarrhea among the reported signs. These are source-listed effects, not a prediction that every cat will develop them or that the signs reveal how much was eaten.
Do not use the non-toxic listing for common thyme as a reason to treat oregano as interchangeable. Oregano and thyme are different plants, and the Greek oregano entry has its own botanical identity and warning.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is listed as toxic. The ASPCA entry identifies photosensitization as the concern and notes that large amounts are needed to cause that effect. Photosensitization can make skin unusually reactive to light; a cat showing skin problems after a possible exposure needs a veterinarian’s assessment rather than a home diagnosis.
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The “large amounts” qualification is important but should not be turned into a home dosing threshold. The source does not provide a reliably safe amount for an individual cat, and a cat may have eaten more than its owner saw.
Garden mint (Mentha sp.)
Garden mint is listed as toxic, with vomiting and diarrhea reported after large ingestions. “Mint” is a broad common name, so identify the plant as closely as possible and retain its label or a photograph for the veterinarian. Do not assume that a mint-flavored product has the same composition as a mint plant, or that a product is safe because the amount of leaf is unknown.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Marjoram is listed as toxic, and the ASPCA entry reports vomiting and diarrhea. It belongs to the same broader genus as Greek oregano but is a distinct species. A kitchen jar, dried seasoning, or garden label may not make the identity obvious; bring the packaging when seeking advice.
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Spanish thyme, also called Indian borage, is listed as toxic. The ASPCA entry reports vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite, and occasionally bloody vomiting or bloody diarrhea. Those signs can indicate a more serious illness, especially when a cat is weak, refusing food, or losing fluids.
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This plant is the source of the most confusing name issue in the list. Spanish thyme is not common thyme. Spanish thyme is Coleus ampoinicus and is listed as toxic; common thyme is Thymus vulgaris and is listed as non-toxic. Check the botanical name before deciding how to respond.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if your cat eats an herb
- Move the plant away. Prevent further chewing, but do not force food, water, or a home remedy into the cat’s mouth.
- Identify the exact plant. Photograph the plant and its label, note the botanical name if available, and keep packaging for dried herbs or prepared products.
- Estimate the exposure without guessing a dose. Record when the cat could have reached it, which part was eaten, and whether any leaves or stems are missing.
- Call for professional advice. Contact your local veterinarian if the plant is listed as toxic, the identity is uncertain, or any signs develop. The ASPCA general guidance also lists its 24-hour poison hotline at (888) 426-4435; verify the current contact details when you need them.
- Watch for changes while arranging help. Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite, weakness, breathing problems, collapse, or blood in vomit or stool should not be managed by comparing symptoms with an online list.
Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so. A plant list cannot account for a cat’s age, medical conditions, medications, or the possibility that another household substance was involved.
Growing herbs in a cat household
Plant labels are your first safety control. Keep the botanical name with the common name, especially for plants sold under confusing names such as “Spanish thyme.” Separate listed toxic plants from areas your cat can enter, and remember that a hanging basket or high shelf is not secure if the cat can climb or the leaves can fall within reach.
Use clean pots and soil intended for plants, and avoid assuming that a non-toxic classification covers fertilizers, pesticides, decorative treatments, or a container’s other contents. The ASPCA entries concern the named plant, not every substance used to grow or preserve it.
If you want to grow basil, rosemary, common thyme, or garden sage, grow them for household use while preventing nibbling. A plant being classified as non-toxic makes accidental contact less concerning than contact with a listed toxic species, but it does not turn the plant into a feline food item.
Limits of the list
- The entries do not establish a safe quantity to feed any herb.
- They do not establish nutritional or medicinal benefits for cats.
- They do not evaluate essential oils, concentrated extracts, tinctures, or multi-ingredient products.
- They do not diagnose an individual exposure or predict how quickly signs will appear.
- They cannot identify an unlabeled plant from a common name alone.
For those reasons, the most useful practice is precise identification followed by prompt professional advice when exposure is possible. Use “non-toxic” to distinguish the four listed plants from the five toxic entries—not as a recommendation to feed herbs.
Bottom line
According to the ASPCA plant entries, basil, rosemary, common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and garden sage are non-toxic to cats, while Greek oregano, parsley, garden mint, marjoram and Spanish thyme/Indian borage are toxic. The list supports nine herbs, not ten. Any cat that becomes ill or may have eaten a toxic plant should be assessed by a veterinarian or poison-control professional.
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