Thyme

Thyme has no nutritional meaning for cats, at most a leaf that smells fresh.

Offer one small fresh leaf to taste; it does not replace complete cat food.

Wash it under running water and pat it dry, trim and chop it or offer it whole, adding no seasoning and never mixing it with garlic or onion.

**Thymol is a higher irritation and toxicity risk for cats, so keep oils, diffusers and concentrates away**; **herbs are not parasite treatment**, so follow a vet's plan, and **contact a vet immediately** for drooling, vomiting, pain or lethargy.

Thyme is almost calorie-free with only traces of vitamins and minerals, so its job is adding a fresh herbal aroma to the bowl.

A small pinch of washed, chopped fresh leaves stirred into the food is plenty; keep this within about 10% of daily energy intake, with complete dog food as the main diet.

Rinse well under running water, shake dry, trim the woody stems and chop; use fresh leaves only, with no salt, oil or sauce.

**Thyme essential oil carries thymol and is a concentrate that must never be fed**, and even topical or diffused use irritates the mouth, skin and airways; **herbs are not a dewormer**, so follow a vet's parasite plan and keep it to a small garnish.