N
The Global Insight

What herbs do cats hate

Author

Ava Hudson

Updated on March 25, 2026

Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.

What herbs and spices do cats hate?

Rosemary, cayenne pepper, dried mustard, and lavender repel cats because they don’t like the odor. Fruit peels such as lemon and orange rinds, placed in borders of the garden, keep cats away. The spices or peels can be placed inside the house too, for instance, near plants and cupboards.

What scent do cats hate?

Citrus: Just like their canine counterparts, cats hate oranges, lemons, limes and the like. Some cat repellents even use these smells to help keep cats away. Banana: We know the peels can be pungent and cats find this to be especially true. Leaving one out is a sure way to keep a cat out of the room.

Do cats hate rosemary?

Again, there are no absolutes, but there are a few things you can try. Cats hate getting wet. … For instance, some plants emit odors that cats find offensive, such as the scaredy-cat plant (Coleus canina). Other plants often recommended for keeping cats away include rue, lavender, rosemary, and pennyroyal.

What natural substance repels cats?

To keep cats away from gardens, flower beds, or specific areas of property, scatter fragrant items that don’t appeal to a cat’s sense of smell, like fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus-scented sprays, coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, or oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus.

Do cats like the smell of mint?

More smells cats hate include mint and strong mint-related odors, such as wintergreen and menthol. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

Do cats like lemon thyme?

Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.)

Do cats like oregano?

To answer your question, no, cats cannot eat oregano. Oregano includes an essential oil that has the potential to upset a cat’s stomach. This can cause a toxic response in the cat, as well as irreversible liver damage.

Does lemon thyme keep cats away?

Sometimes it seems as if cats enjoy a garden as much as we do. … To repel cats with smell, try planting rue, lavender, geraniums, wormwood, lemon thyme or pennyroyal in their favorite places. Citrus is a strong cat repellent, so try scattering orange or lemon peels around your plants.

Do cats like the smell of thyme?

Thyme. Thyme is not only part of the smells that attract cats, but is also one of the most beneficial for them. … To do so, you should ideally use the essential oil of thyme or purchase this aromatic plant. However, as with lavender, thyme may not be as effective, since not all cats are attracted by its smell.

Article first time published on

What does Cinnamon do to cats?

Cinnamon can also act an irritant on the skin or in the oral cavity, causing rash and allergic-type reactions in cats and other animals. Because cats have sensitive skin and a keener senses of smell than humans, they are at an increased risk of reaction from exposure to cinnamon or the cinnamon aroma.

Do cats like basil?

—Basil. Basil is one of the most widely grown herbs safe for cats. As any cat owner knows, they love to chew on whatever they can get their teeth on, and basil is a chewy leaf that is good for them.

Do cats like the smell of lemongrass?

Lemongrass (cymbopagon) – Kitties love the smell of lemongrass, so if you’re growing some for yourself, grow some extra for them to gnaw on.

What can I spray on my plants to keep cats away?

Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. Cats also hate the smell of citrus. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. Another option is spraying the leaves directly with diluted lemon juice or orange oil.

Will garden lime keep cats away?

According to the ASPCA, cats typically dislike the smell of citrus, so using orange, lemon or lime peels sprinkled around plants can help keep cats away. Using the oils of these citrus fruits is also a smart solution, since they are nontoxic to humans and cats.

Is Vinegar a good cat repellent?

You can spray diluted or full-strength vinegar outdoor on places like garden edges, fences, garden decor, posts, and even plants as a deterrent for cats. … You can apply the spray every couple of days to repel your cats. Apply the spray again to areas that have been washed up by rain or areas just watered.

Is rosemary OK for cats?

As far as we know, most herbs—your rosemary, thyme, basil and dill—are safe for cats and dogs, but there is one that frequently colors a person’s garden that can cause a sometimes severe—and definitely strange— illness.

Will planting mint keep cats away?

Peppermint (Mentha piperita), with its strong smell and spreading habit, may seem like a good choice to deter stray cats, but it is not known to have an adverse effect on these animals. Other plants, however, seem to repel cats.

What herbs attract cats?

  • Cat Grass. Cats eat grass! …
  • Catnip. We all know this one really well. …
  • Valerian. A good stimulant for cats, this herb is extremely attractive to them and helps to invigorate their desire to play. …
  • Dill. …
  • Mint. …
  • Bean sprouts. …
  • Edible Flowers.

Is thyme toxic to cats?

ANSWER: True Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is not at native plant and it is not on the ASPCA plants toxic to cats list.

Is cilantro toxic to cats?

Cilantro. The cilantro plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac arrhythmia in your pet.

Do cats like parsley?

To answer your question, yes, cats can eat parsley. Parsley is harmless and even helpful for your kitty companion when consumed in moderation. You don’t have to be concerned about your cat and parsley.

Do cats like the smell of chives?

Cats like chives and dill. They do not like rosemary, cilantro, or oregano.

Can cats be around sage?

Sage is safe for cats to eat, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) list of hazardous herbs and plants. Despite the fact that your garden-grown sage is non-toxic to cats, you still want to keep your small feline friend away from the sage essential oils.

Are chives toxic to cats?

Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are in the Allium family, and are poisonous to both dogs and cats if the dose is right (if they eat a single large serving or repeatedly nibble on small amounts over time).

Is Mint toxic to cats?

Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe to cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten. The essential oils specific to garden mint have also been known to relax the esophageal valve, making vomiting more likely in a cat who may already be ill.

Do cats like the smell of ginger?

Spicy scents cats like And to be sure, they love those. … Interestingly, it’s not just small cats who respond well to the smell of certain spices. Some scents cats like are shared by their bigger, wilder counterparts – lions and tigers love the smell of spices too, especially ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamon.

Is chamomile safe for cats?

Chamomile is generally not harmful in small doses, but can cause severe effects to felines if large amounts are ingested or if the plant is consumed over a long period of time. Chamomile contains a variety of potentially harmful substances, including tannic acid, anthemic acid, chamazulene, bisabolol, and volatile oil.

Is Eucalyptus safe for cats?

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.

How do you use cayenne pepper to keep cats away?

All you have to do is mix water with a cayenne base ground flakes or hot sauce. To get the right mixture to spray on plants, mix 16 parts of water with one part of cayenne pepper sauce. The scent should be strong enough to keep cats off your yard or garden.

Is nutmeg poison to cats?

Nutmeg: No. In significant amounts, nutmeg is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause symptoms like disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and seizures.