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My 4 kg indoor cat ate about half a cup of fresh mint leaves two hours ago and seems fine — what should I do right now?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Do nothing urgent right now. A few fresh leaves are harmless for a cat of her size, and half a cup may cause mild stomach upset but isn't an emergency. Keep her indoors and watch her for the next few hours for vomiting or loose stools. If she starts acting differently or you see any of those signs, call your own vet.

Mint leaves — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

A few fresh leaves are harmless. Concentrated mint oils or a lot of leaves can irritate the stomach.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Mint leaves is not poisonous to cats, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Mint leaves food facts page.

Open the full food page: Mint leaves food facts →