Can cats eat nuts, herbs and spices? Mostly no. Plain almonds, cashews and pistachios are not poisonous to cats, but they are fatty, often salted and easy to choke on, so vets advise against them. Basil and catnip are safe in small amounts. Ground cinnamon is not toxic, but cinnamon oil is. Spicy food burns a cat's mouth and upsets its stomach, and it often hides garlic and onion, which are toxic to cats.
This guide covers seven of them in one place: almonds, cashews, pistachios, basil, cinnamon, catnip and spicy food. For each one you will find a direct answer, how much is safe (if any), what to watch for and when to call your vet. It is part of our Can Cats Eat…? guide to human foods.
Our quick take: cats are obligate carnivores, so nuts, herbs and spices do nothing for them. If your cat steals one plain almond, cashew or shelled pistachio, there is no need to panic, but do not offer nuts as treats. A nibble of fresh basil or a pinch of catnip is fine for most healthy adult cats. Keep cinnamon, chili, hot sauce, curry and pumpkin spice off the menu. Never give anything seasoned with garlic, onion or chives, and never use essential oils (including cinnamon oil) on or around your cat without asking your vet.
Quick reference: Can Cats Eat Nuts, Herbs & Spices
Found in pumpkin spice. Harmful in quantity, and clove and allspice oils can damage a cat's liver.
Four rules before you share nuts, herbs or spices
Cats do not need them. Cats are obligate carnivores. A complete and balanced cat food already covers everything they need. The fiber, plant protein and antioxidants that make nuts and herbs healthy for people do not help a cat.
“Not toxic” does not mean “good for cats”. The ASPCA warns that nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts are high in oils and fats, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and possibly pancreatitis, in pets.
The coating is often the real danger. Salt, chocolate, garlic powder, onion powder, chili and sugar-free sweeteners are all worse for a cat than the nut or herb underneath.
Keep it tiny. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily calories. For a 9-pound cat that is only about 20 calories, and a single almond is about 7.
If your cat is overweight, has diabetes, kidney disease or a history of pancreatitis, or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before you offer any of the foods on this page.
Can cats eat almonds?
No, almonds are not a good treat for cats, although the ordinary sweet almonds sold for snacking are not toxic. If your cat licks or eats one or two that fell on the floor, serious harm is unlikely. There is still no reason to offer them. A cat gets nothing useful from an almond, and the risks are real.
The risks:
Stomach upset. Almonds are fatty and hard for a cat to digest. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common results, and a lot of fat at once could trigger pancreatitis, which is painful and needs a vet.
Choking and blockage. Cats do not chew their food well. A whole almond is large and hard compared with a cat's throat, and it can also lodge in the intestines.
Coatings. Salted, smoked and seasoned almonds add salt, and sometimes garlic or onion powder. Chocolate-covered almonds are toxic because of the chocolate.
Bitter almonds. These are a different variety from the sweet almonds in supermarkets. They contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide, and they are toxic to cats. They are not normally sold as a snack, but if your cat may have eaten even a small amount of bitter almond, call your vet urgently.
What about almond butter and almond milk? Almond butter has no choking risk from whole nuts, but it is just as fatty, and it is sticky. If you ever share a lick, check the label for xylitol first, as you would with peanut butter. For almond milk, see can cats have almond milk?
If your cat ate almonds: one or two plain sweet almonds usually cause no trouble. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, a sore belly or a poor appetite over the next day. Call your vet if these signs last, if your cat ate a lot, or if the almonds were chocolate-coated or heavily seasoned. Gagging, pawing at the mouth or trouble breathing can mean a nut is stuck. Treat that as an emergency.
Can cats eat cashews?
Cashews are not toxic to cats, but they are best left off the menu. A small piece of a plain cashew will not poison a cat. Cashews are still close to junk food for a cat: high in fat, usually salted, and made of plant protein that does not replace the animal protein a cat needs.
The risks:
Fat. Rich, fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and regular helpings lead to weight gain.
Salt. Most snack cashews are salted. One or two salted cashews are unlikely to cause salt poisoning, but the ASPCA warns that too much salt makes pets very thirsty and can be dangerous in large amounts.
Choking and blockage. A whole cashew can lodge in the throat, and large pieces can block the stomach or intestines.
Coatings and mold. Honey-roasted, chili, garlic and chocolate-coated cashews are all unsuitable. Throw away any nuts that look discolored or moldy, because mold toxins can make pets seriously ill.
Are “raw” cashews dangerous? Cashews in the shell contain an irritant oil, which is why you never see them sold that way. The cashews sold in stores, including the ones labeled “raw”, have already been shelled and heat-treated, so they carry no more risk than roasted ones.
If you share one anyway: choose a plain, unsalted cashew, break off a small piece, and keep it to a rare taste. Do not give cashews to kittens. Their teeth are fragile and they choke more easily.
What about cashew milk? It has no choking risk, but it is still high in fat and hard for cats to digest, and many cartons are sweetened. It is not a healthy substitute for cow's milk. See our notes on plant milks for cats. Cashew cream, cashew cheese and cashew butter are richer still, so skip them.
Watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, a poor appetite or low energy after eating cashews, and call your vet if they do not pass within a day. A meat-based cat treat is a better way to share snack time.
Can cats eat pistachios?
No. Pistachios are not toxic to cats, but vets advise against feeding them. A rare nibble of a plain, shelled pistachio should not hurt a healthy cat. The shells, the salt and the flavorings are where the trouble starts.
The risks:
Shells. This is the biggest worry. Pistachio shells are hard and sharp and do not break down in the gut. They can scratch the food pipe, damage the intestines or get stuck, and a stuck shell may need surgery. If you think your cat swallowed a shell, have a vet check your cat right away. Do not wait to see if it passes.
Choking. The nut itself is small, round and easy to inhale. Gagging, pawing at the mouth or trouble breathing is an emergency.
Salt and flavorings. Most pistachios are roasted and salted. Flavored kinds may be coated with garlic or onion powder, both of which are toxic to cats, or with chili.
Fat. Like all nuts, pistachios are high in fat, which can upset the stomach and, in quantity, may contribute to pancreatitis.
Mold. Old or badly stored nuts can carry mold toxins. Never let a cat eat nuts that look or smell off.
Pistachio ice cream and pudding: skip both. They are mostly sugar, fat and dairy, and most adult cats digest milk poorly. See can cats eat ice cream?
Kittens, seniors and sick cats: keep pistachios well away. Small cats choke and block more easily, and cats with a health problem cope less well with an upset stomach.
Watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, a sore belly, straining in the litter box or refusing food. Call your vet if your cat swallowed a shell, ate garlic or onion flavored pistachios, or is still unwell after 24 hours.
What about other nuts? The same advice applies to all of them. PetMD's veterinary guide to human foods lists nuts, especially macadamia nuts and walnuts, among the foods cats should avoid. Macadamia poisoning has only been confirmed in dogs so far, but there is no reason to test it on a cat. Pecans and walnuts are very high in oils and fats. Chocolate-covered nuts of any kind are toxic. For peanuts, see can cats eat peanut butter?
Can cats eat basil?
Yes. Basil is safe for cats. The ASPCA lists basil (Ocimum basilicum) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that nibbles a leaf from your kitchen herb pot does not need a vet. Basil has no real benefit for a cat either, and most cats are not very interested in it.
How much: a leaf or two of fresh basil, or a small pinch of dried basil, now and then. There is no need to add it to your cat's food. As with any plant, eating a lot can cause mild vomiting or diarrhea, simply because a cat's gut is not built for greenery.
Basil foods to skip:
Pesto. It is made with garlic, which is toxic to cats, plus oil, salt, cheese and nuts.
Tomato and basil sauces. They almost always contain onion and garlic.
Basil essential oil. Do not put it on your cat's coat as a flea or insect repellent, and do not add it to food. Concentrated essential oils are absorbed through the skin and licked off during grooming, and cats clear them poorly.
Does basil calm cats, settle the stomach or add calcium? There is no good evidence for any of these in cats. Because cats are obligate carnivores, they get very little out of plant foods. If your cat is anxious, has an upset stomach or stiff joints, ask your vet. Do not rely on a herb.
Which other kitchen herbs are safe? According to the ASPCA's plant lists:
Non-toxic to cats: basil, rosemary, thyme, sage and dill.
Toxic to cats: chives and garlic (red blood cell damage), oregano (mild vomiting and diarrhea), mint (vomiting and diarrhea if a lot is eaten) and parsley (skin sensitivity to sunlight, though large amounts are needed).
If your cat keeps chewing your herb pots, move them out of reach. See how to keep cats out of plants for ideas. Watch for: vomiting or diarrhea after a plant-eating session, and call your vet if it continues, or if the plant was chives, garlic or one you cannot identify.
Can cats eat cinnamon?
A small taste of ground cinnamon is not toxic to cats, but you should not feed it, and cinnamon essential oil is dangerous. The ASPCA lists cinnamon as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Pet Poison Helpline says it generally takes more than a teaspoon of the powder to cause problems in most pets, but only a small amount of the essential oil. A cat is a small pet, so keep well below that, and never offer cinnamon on purpose.
What cinnamon can do:
If a lot is eaten: vomiting, diarrhea, low blood sugar, changes in heart rate and liver problems.
If the powder is breathed in: coughing, choking, trouble breathing and spasm of the airways. This can happen when a cat sniffs or licks spilled powder.
On the skin or in the mouth: redness, irritation and sometimes blisters where the cinnamon touched.
Cinnamon essential oil is toxic to cats. Both VCA Animal Hospitals and Pet Poison Helpline name oil of cinnamon among the essential oils known to poison cats. Cats lack a liver enzyme needed to break these oils down. The oil is absorbed through the skin, and cats swallow it when they groom. Diffusers that spray a fine mist can leave droplets on the coat, and any diffuser can irritate a cat's airways. Signs include drooling, vomiting, wobbly walking, tremors, trouble breathing, and redness or burns on the lips, gums or skin. If your cat is exposed, move it to fresh air and call your vet or a pet poison line straight away. If there is oil on the coat, VCA advises washing it off with liquid dishwashing detergent. Do not try to make your cat vomit. The same caution applies to other oils. See our guide to tea tree oil and cats.
Cinnamon rolls, toast and cookies: the cinnamon is rarely the main problem. The sugar, butter, raisins, chocolate, nutmeg and sugar-free sweeteners that come with it are. Raisins and chocolate are both toxic to cats.
Pumpkin spice: this blend usually contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice. Pet Poison Helpline notes that the small amount used to flavor food is unlikely to be toxic, but the spices themselves are another matter. Nutmeg contains myristicin, which in large amounts can cause disorientation, a racing heart, high blood pressure, belly pain and possibly seizures. Cloves and allspice contain eugenol, which can damage the liver in cats. Plain cooked pumpkin is fine for cats. Pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin spice lattes and spiced treats are not.
Do not use cinnamon to treat your cat. There is no proven benefit of cinnamon for diabetes, blood pressure or anything else in cats, and dosing a cat with it risks the problems above. Do not sprinkle cinnamon powder or oil around the house or garden to keep cats away either. For safer ideas, see what smells do cats hate?
If your cat got into cinnamon: a lick of cinnamon toast or a sniff at a cinnamon stick needs no treatment. Call your vet if your cat ate a spoonful of powder, chewed several sticks, is coughing or wheezing after breathing in powder, or had any contact with cinnamon oil.
Can cats eat catnip?
Yes. Cats can safely eat a little catnip, and most enjoy it far more than any other plant on this page. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a herb in the mint family. Its leaves and stems contain an oil called nepetalactone, which is what cats react to. According to PetMD's veterinarians, cats cannot overdose on catnip, but too much can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or trouble walking.
Why does the ASPCA list catnip as toxic? Because eating it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The ASPCA's own entry adds that many cats love catnip and that it makes some cats sedated and others stimulated. Pet Poison Helpline says no significant toxicity is expected in cats. In practice, the worst most cats get from overdoing it is a short-lived upset stomach.
Sniffing and eating: the famous reaction (rolling, rubbing, drooling, purring and zooming about) comes from smelling catnip, not from swallowing it. Many cats chew and eat the leaves as part of the fun, and that is fine. Catnip has no nutritional value, so there is no reason to mix it into meals.
How much and how often:
PetMD suggests about a tablespoon of dried catnip at a time. Fresh catnip is stronger than dried, so use less.
The effect lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, a cat does not respond again for anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours.
Veterinarians at Cats.com say that offering it several times a week seems to be fine for cats that enjoy it.
Avoid highly concentrated catnip oils. They are much stronger than the plant.
If catnip upsets your cat's stomach, switch to a catnip spray on a toy or scratching post so your cat can smell it without eating it.
Not every cat reacts. Roughly 60 to 70% of adult cats respond to catnip, and the trait is inherited. Catnip is not harmful to kittens, but most do not react until they are about six months to a year old.
Cautions: some cats play roughly or become aggressive on catnip. Give those cats space, and in a home with several cats, offer it to each cat separately. If your cat is pregnant or has a health condition, check with your vet first. Store dried catnip in an airtight container, because it loses its strength over time.
Watch for: vomiting, diarrhea or wobbliness after a big helping. Take the catnip away and offer water. These signs usually pass on their own. Call your vet if they continue. For more on how catnip works, read what does catnip do to cats?
Can cats taste and eat spicy food?
Cats can feel the heat of spicy food, and they should not eat it. Spiciness is not a taste like salty or sour. It is a pain signal. Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, triggers a heat and pain receptor called TRPV1, and cats have this receptor just as people do. So a cat that licks hot sauce feels the burn, even though it has only about 470 taste buds compared with roughly 9,000 in a person.
What happens if a cat eats spicy food: the capsaicin irritates the mouth, so you may see drooling, lip licking, pawing at the face, watery eyes and a runny nose. If it is swallowed, it can irritate the stomach and gut and cause vomiting and diarrhea. A bad experience can even put a cat off its food bowl for a while.
Why do some cats beg for it? It is not the heat they want. Cats rely heavily on smell, and spicy dishes smell strong. Most are also made with meat and fat and served warm, all of which appeal to a cat.
The bigger danger is what else is in the dish:
Chili, curry, salsa and taco meat almost always contain onion and garlic. Both damage a cat's red blood cells and can cause anemia, and the ASPCA notes that cats are more susceptible than dogs.
Hot sauce is chili with salt and vinegar, and many brands add garlic or onion.
Pepperoni and other spiced cured meats are very salty and fatty. See can cats eat salami?
Jalapeños and other fresh chili peppers cause the same burning and stomach upset as hot sauce.
Never use chili or cayenne pepper to keep cats away from a garden or furniture. It gets on their paws and fur, then into their eyes and mouth when they groom.
If your cat ate something spicy: take the food away and offer fresh water and its normal food. A single lick usually causes nothing worse than some drooling and a short stomach upset. Call your vet if the food contained onion, garlic, chives or leeks, if your cat ate more than a taste, or if vomiting or diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours. If your cat has a delicate stomach in general, a cat food made for sensitive stomachs will help far more than variety from your plate.
Seasonings and snack foods cats should never have
Garlic, onion, chives, leeks, shallots and scallions in any form: fresh, cooked, dried or powdered. Garlic powder and onion powder are concentrated, and they are in many seasoning mixes, sauces, stocks and flavored nuts.
Essential oils, including cinnamon, clove, peppermint, citrus, eucalyptus and tea tree oil. See cinnamon oil above.
Chocolate-covered nuts and trail mix with chocolate or raisins. Grapes and raisins can damage the kidneys.
Bitter almonds and anything flavored with real bitter almond oil.
Nut butters and snacks sweetened with xylitol (also labeled birch sugar).
Nutmeg, cloves and allspice by the spoonful, and moldy nuts of any kind.
What to do if your cat eats something on this list
If your cat ate a plain nut, a basil leaf, some catnip or a lick of something mildly spiced, the most likely result is nothing at all, or a mild upset stomach. Take the food away, offer fresh water and its normal food, and keep an eye on the litter box. Most cats are back to normal within 24 hours.
Call your vet if:
your cat ate garlic, onion or chives, chocolate-coated nuts, bitter almonds or anything containing xylitol. Do not wait for signs to appear;
your cat licked, swallowed or was splashed with an essential oil;
your cat swallowed a pistachio shell or another nut shell;
your cat is gagging, pawing at its mouth, coughing or struggling to breathe. This is an emergency;
the vomiting or diarrhea is severe, contains blood or lasts longer than 24 hours;
your cat is a kitten, elderly or diabetic, or has kidney disease or a history of pancreatitis;
your cat stops eating, hides, seems to be in pain, is wobbly or is very quiet.
If you cannot reach your vet, these services are open 24 hours a day (a consultation fee applies):
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Have ready what your cat ate, roughly how much and when, and keep the packaging. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.
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