Is mint safe for pet-friendly gardens?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Safety with mint is broken into two types for pet owners: culinary-friendly types and toxic types. Peppermint and spearmint are safe, but pennyroyal contains a toxin called pulegone, which is lethal to pets. One of my neighbours' cats required an emergency visit to the vet for eating Corsican mint, so stay aware!
Pet-Safe Varieties
- Peppermint: Mild gastrointestinal upset if overeaten
- Spearmint: Non-toxic but may cause drooling
- Apple Mint: Safe for occasional nibbling
Toxic Varieties
- Pennyroyal: Causes liver failure in dogs
- Corsican Mint: Contains harmful essential oils
- Pennyroyal Variants: All cultivars dangerous
Garden planning is relevant for pet safety. If planting mint plants, opt for toxic mint varieties instead of non-toxic mint varieties. You can put them in elevated hanging baskets or in an herb spiral that is fenced in. I have a raised planter box made of thicker cedar wood and have lined it with wire mesh at the bottom to keep the mint plants separated from ground-level pet areas for safety against digging or grazing.
Physical Barriers
- Install 12-inch chicken wire fences
- Use bitter apple spray on leaves
- Create designated pet-free zones
Behavior Training
- Teach ‘leave it' commands
- Provide cat grass stations
- Use motion-activated sprinklers
Emergency protocols save lives. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic version of mint, record a thorough description of the mint variety and the quantity consumed, then contact your veterinarian immediately; I send all samples home to my clients pre-labeled with the common and scientific name of the species. Activated charcoal may be helpful if you do it immediately after ingestion, but never induce vomiting without guidance.
Read the full article: How to Grow Mint: Expert Tips for Thriving Plants
