# Can Cats Eat Cilantro? Onion Mix Warnings Can cats eat cilantro? Yes. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center [1]. The real danger is not the herb itself but what it is often mixed with, since onion and garlic can seriously harm cats. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Plain cilantro is non-toxic to cats, so a small taste is not poisonous [1]. - Onion and garlic are the real hazard in salsa, guacamole, and seasoned dishes, and cats are more sensitive to them than dogs. - Cilantro has no nutritional value a cat needs, so it is a garnish at best, not a food. - Never offer cilantro from a prepared dish, dip, or restaurant plate, because you cannot know what else is in it. - If your cat ate a dish containing onion or garlic, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away, even if your cat seems fine. ## Is Cilantro Safe for Cats? Cilantro is safe in the sense that the plant itself does not contain a known feline toxin. The ASPCA lists cilantro, also called coriander, Chinese parsley, or dhania, as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [1]. That listing covers the leaves and stems of the fresh herb. So can cats have cilantro without worry? For the plain herb, yes. A cat that licks a bit of chopped cilantro off the floor is not in danger from the cilantro. The problem almost always comes from the company the cilantro keeps. Cilantro shows up in salsa, chutney, guacamole, soups, and marinades, and those foods usually contain onion, garlic, or both. Onion and garlic belong to the Allium family, and cats are highly sensitive to them. They damage red blood cells and can cause a condition called Heinz body anemia. One report even described onion powder being used deliberately in a cat to reduce red blood cell mass as a treatment for a rare blood disorder, which shows how strongly feline red blood cells respond to onion [2]. That was a controlled medical situation, not something you should ever try at home. If you want to understand how serious Allium exposure can be, see [Cat Ate Garlic](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/cat-ate-garlic). The same principles apply to onion. ## Do Cats Eat Cilantro on Their Own? Most cats ignore cilantro. It is not a food cats seek out, and there is no reason they would. Some cats may sniff it, bat it around, or take a curious bite because it smells green and fresh. A few cats seem to like the scent, and a rare cat may nibble a leaf. That behavior is not a sign your cat needs cilantro or is missing something in its diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, and their nutritional needs are met by animal-based protein and fat, not herbs. If your cat keeps eating cilantro or other plants, mention it at your next routine visit. Plant chewing can sometimes point to boredom, dental discomfort, or an underlying stomach issue. It can also mean your cat is sampling a toxic houseplant somewhere else in the home, which is a bigger concern. ## Nutritional Content and Any Real Benefit Cilantro does contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Those nutrients matter in human diets. They do not matter much for cats, because cats have different requirements and get what they need from a complete and balanced cat food. There is no established veterinary reason to feed cilantro to a cat. It is not a digestive aid, it does not freshen breath in any proven way, and it does not replace any part of a proper diet. Research on feline nutrition focuses on protein, fat, essential fatty acids, water, and specific supplements such as fish oil and B vitamins, not culinary herbs [3]. Even the studies that look at herb-supplemented cat food use specific traditional formulas, not kitchen herbs, and those formulas are not the same as sprinkling cilantro on a plate [4]. In short, cilantro is a safe garnish with no real benefit. If your cat enjoys a sniff, that is fine. Do not expect it to do anything for your cat's health. ## Risks of Feeding Cilantro to Cats ### Onion and Garlic in Prepared Dishes This is the main risk and the reason this article exists. Salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, chutneys, and many marinades contain onion or garlic. Cats are more sensitive to Allium plants than dogs, and even small repeated amounts can cause anemia. Signs include weakness, pale gums, fast breathing, and dark urine, and they may not appear for a day or more after eating. ### Choking and GI Upset Cilantro stems and larger leaf clumps can be a choking hazard for a cat bolting food. Eating a lot of any plant material can also cause vomiting or diarrhea. Cats have unique digestive characteristics and are prone to gastrointestinal upset, so new foods are best introduced cautiously or not at all [4]. ### Additives in Dips and Sauces Store-bought dips and sauces often contain salt, sugar, oils, preservatives, and sometimes xylitol. Xylitol is a well-known dog poison that causes dangerous low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. A controlled study in cats did not find the same effects, so xylitol is not considered highly toxic to cats the way it is to dogs. Even so, sugar-free products do not belong in a cat's diet, and large amounts of salt or fat can cause stomach upset or worse. For more on salty foods, see [Can Cats Eat Tuna With Salt](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-tuna-with-salt). ### Essential Oils and Concentrates Cilantro essential oil is not the same as the fresh herb. Concentrated oils can contain compounds at levels far above what a leaf provides, and cats clear many plant compounds slowly. Do not put cilantro oil, drops, or supplements in your cat's food or on its coat. ## How to Offer Cilantro Safely If you want to let your cat try cilantro, keep it plain and tiny. | Form | Safe? | Notes | |---|---|---| | Fresh cilantro leaf, washed | Yes, in small amounts | Non-toxic to cats [1]. One small leaf is plenty. | | Cilantro stem | Yes, but avoid | Non-toxic, but firmer and a choking risk. Skip it. | | Dried cilantro spice | Yes, plain only | Check the label for onion or garlic powder blends. | | Salsa or pico de gallo | No | Almost always contains onion, garlic, or both. | | Guacamole | No | Often contains onion, garlic, lime, and salt. | | Cilantro chutney | No | Typically contains onion, garlic, chili, and salt. | | Cilantro essential oil | No | Concentrated and not meant for cats. | Wash the leaf, chop it small, and offer one piece. Watch your cat for a few minutes. If your cat walks away, that is a normal response and you can stop there. Never leave a plate of cilantro within reach, and never let your cat lick the bowl a dip came in. Avoid anything labeled as cilantro seasoning, cilantro lime rub, or herb blends unless you have read every ingredient. Onion powder and garlic powder are common in spice mixes and are easy to miss. ## What to Do If Your Cat Ate Too Much or a Dangerous Form If your cat ate a large amount of plain cilantro, offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhea. A single large helping of the plain herb is unlikely to be serious, but a stomach ache is possible. If your cat ate anything containing onion or garlic, treat it as urgent. Call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or a pet poison hotline right away. Do not wait for symptoms, because Allium poisoning can take a day or more to show up and early treatment matters. Bring the food label or a photo of the ingredient list with you if you can. If your cat ate a dip or sauce with unknown ingredients, call for guidance. Your veterinarian will decide whether blood work or monitoring is needed based on what was eaten, how much, and your cat's size and health. ## Safer Alternatives If you want to give your cat a treat, skip herbs and offer something species-appropriate. A small piece of plain cooked chicken, a bite of plain cooked fish, or a commercial cat treat is a better choice. For fish, keep it plain and unsalted, and see [Can Cats Eat Tuna From A Tin](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-tuna-from-a-tin) for the details on oil, salt, and mercury. If your cat likes green plants, catnip is a safer option for most cats. Learn how it works in [Can Cats Eat Catnip? Nepetalactone and Safe Use Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-catnip-nepetalactone-and-safe-use-guide). If you are considering parsley instead, read [Can Cats Eat Parsley? Furocoumarin Phototoxicity](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-parsley-furocoumarin-phototoxicity) first, because parsley carries its own considerations. The safest treat of all is a complete and balanced cat food. Diet affects the gut microbiome, and cats fed different commercial diets show measurable shifts in their gut bacteria [5]. Keeping your cat on a consistent, appropriate diet is more useful than adding table herbs. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you what is happening inside your cat. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your cat, ask about the amount eaten, and run tests if needed. Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic the same day if your cat ate onion, garlic, or a prepared dish containing them, even without symptoms. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is weak, collapsing, breathing fast, has pale or yellow gums, has dark or reddish urine, or is vomiting repeatedly. Schedule a routine visit if your cat keeps eating plants, has mild stomach upset after a new food, or you are unsure what it got into. Bring the packaging when you can. If you are not sure whether a food is safe, call before you offer it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can cats eat cilantro and onion together? No. Cilantro is non-toxic, but onion is dangerous for cats and can damage red blood cells. Never feed a dish that combines them. ### Can cats have cilantro every day? They can, but there is no reason to. Cilantro offers no nutritional benefit a cat needs, and daily plant material may cause stomach upset. ### Do cats eat cilantro by choice? Most cats ignore it. A curious cat may sniff or nibble a leaf, but cilantro is not a food cats seek out. ### Is dried cilantro safe for cats? Plain dried cilantro is non-toxic, but many dried blends include onion or garlic powder. Read the full ingredient list before offering any. ### What if my cat licked salsa with cilantro? Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. Salsa usually contains onion or garlic, and cats are highly sensitive to both, so do not wait for symptoms. ## Related Articles - [Can Cats Eat Tuna With Salt](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-tuna-with-salt) - [Cat Ate Garlic](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/cat-ate-garlic) - [Can Cats Eat Parsley? Furocoumarin Phototoxicity](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-parsley-furocoumarin-phototoxicity) - [Can Cats Eat Catnip? Nepetalactone and Safe Use Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-catnip-nepetalactone-and-safe-use-guide) - [Can Cats Eat Tuna From A Tin](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-tuna-from-a-tin) - [Can Cats Eat Peas? Fiber & Commercial Cat Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-peas-fiber-commercial-cat-food) - [Can Cats Eat Onions or Garlic? Toxicity Signs to Watch](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-eat-onions-garlic) - [Can Cats Eat Curry? Spice, Onion and Garlic Dangers](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-eat-curry) - [Can Cats Have Chicken Broth? Onion and Salt Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-have-chicken-broth) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Cilantro](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/cilantro). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [A novel bone marrow-sparing treatment for primary erythrocytosis in a cat: Onion powder](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34110655/). Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2021. 3. [EXPRESS: What Goes in the Bowl? Evidence-Based Nutrition for Ageing Domestic Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42728580/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2026. 4. [The effects of Sijunzi decoction-supplemented cat food on physiological parameters and gut microbiota in healthy adult cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41394914/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2025. 5. [Comparison of the effects of four commercially available prescription diet regimens on the fecal microbiome in healthy cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42528237/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2026. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)