Rosemary Bushes & Cats

Rosemary Toxicity

• Rosemary is edible to humans and is a common cooking herb. Essential oil from the plant is used in aromatherapy and has antioxidant properties, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. It is also traditionally thought to cause miscarriages in humans when consumed in large amounts. Rosemary is not listed as toxic to cats on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website. If a cat nibbles on one rosemary leaf despite the plant's strong scent, the cat probably will be fine. Still, any part of a plant can lodge in a cat's throat, and a cat allergic to rosemary could have an allergic reaction to the plant. Just in case, call your veterinarian if you think your cat ingested rosemary. Rosemary in concentrated form is a different story. If your cat ingests a large amount of concentrated essential oil of the plant, its health could be in danger.

Essential Oils and Cats

• Even though rosemary essential oil is used in a mixture to repel fleas on dogs, veterinarian surgeon Dr. Zoran D. Jankovic warns on his website that no essential oil should be given to or used on cats. Cats can't metabolize essential oils, which are absorbed easily through their thin skin and into their bloodstream, leading to toxicity.

Toxicity Symptoms

• Cats may ingest rosemary oil if they nibble the plant or they lick their fur to clean themselves after rubbing against the plant. A single dose of rosemary, rosemary essential oil or other essential oil may not hurt a cat. After single doses over time or a large dose, though, the cat probably will show signs of toxic buildup. Those signs include dizziness, clumsiness, vomiting, a lack of appetite and shock.

Rosemary Care

• Don't let having a cat deter you from cultivating rosemary. The herb bush is not nearly as dangerous to cats as the essential oil made from the plant. Many people consider the herb's flavor pleasant and use it in recipes. Outdoors, rosemary is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. It thrives in full sun and dry or medium-dry, well-draining soil.