Why does my mint plant smell like cat pee?

Re: Smell of Mint

It means the soil is becoming anaerobic and microbes that are not good for the plants (and sometimes not good for people) are starting to grow. Sour soil can smell like ammonia (== "cat pee" ?).

Also, are there plants that smell like cat pee?

You likely smelled the common boxwood, or Buxus sempervirens—a leafy green landscape shrub that's often planted into hedges or trimmed into topiaries. Their leaves contain an oil that, when heated by the sun, smells akin to your kitty's urine.

Likewise, why does my plant smell like pee? Some people love it, but roughly a quarter of the population likens it to the smell of manure or urine. The odor is due to indole, a chemical that's also given off by E. coli.

Hereof, is the smell of mint bad for cats?

Essential Oil and Liquid Potpourri Poisoning in Cats. Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats. Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic.

Why does my cat love the smell of mint?

Some kitties dislike the smell and with good reason: peppermint contains salicylate, a chemical also found in aspirin and poisonous to cats. Other cats are attracted to peppermint because it contains compounds similar to nepetalactone.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What flower smells like rotten?

Carrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh. Carrion flowers attract mostly scavenging flies and beetles as pollinators. Some species may trap the insects temporarily to ensure the gathering and transfer of pollen.

What is the tree that smells like sperm?

More precisely, a Callery Pear, or Pyrus calleryana, a deciduous tree that's common throughout North America. It blossoms in early spring and produces beautiful, five-petaled white flowers — that smell like semen.

Why do my plants smell like ammonia?

The odor is the result of inefficient breakdown of organic compounds. Ammonia smell in gardens and compost heaps is an indicator of inadequate oxygen for microbial activity. Organic compounds cannot compost without adequate oxygen, but the fix is a simple one by introducing more oxygen to the soil.

Why do my boxwoods smell like cat pee?

You see, the one thing that most boxwood advocates fail to disclose is that boxwoods, at certain times of the year, smell like cat urine. Unneutered male cat piss to be exact. Avoid the Buxus sempervirens cultivars because they are have the strongest “acrid” odor. Seek out the species Buxus microphylla.

What flower smells really bad?

Stinking Corpse Lily (Rafflesia arnoldii)

Another carrion flower that is often referred to as a "corpse flower" is Rafflesia arnoldii, native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. These plants look and smell like a rotting carcass.

Why does the air smell like cat pee?

“Sometimes it smells like pure cat urine to me, and sometimes it smells similar but different.” Whatever caused the stink, cold fronts in the area can make it even more overpowering as denser air traps odors near the ground, Newland said. The smell, unfortunately for some residents, isn't a new phenomenon.

Is cat pee bad for plants?

No, it's not ruined. Just rake out the feces and it will be fine. The urine is much less of a problem than the feces. If your garden is organic at all, it is similar to other animal manures.

What is the smelliest plant in the world?

Titan Arum

Does peppermint make cats crazy?

Cats like catmint or catnip, so perhaps they'll enjoy the scent of peppermint, too. While it's a logical assumption, peppermint bothers cats and poses a significant health risk, so vets recommend against it. Veterinary care for cats that inhale or ingest peppermint is expensive and time consuming.

Is Mint toxic to cats?

Many plants go by several different common names, which can lead to serious problems.” For example the mint that we humans like to eat can be toxic to dogs and cats. But one common name for catnip (a safe and enjoyable plant for cats) is catmint, which is very different from peppermint or spearmint.

Is vinegar harmful to cats?

Vinegar can help dogs and cats that suffer from urinary tract infections. However, before trying a vinegar remedy, you will first need to find out what the pH is in your pet's urine, Morgan says. If the pH is lower than 7, then I wouldn't recommend vinegar. You could make the problem worse.”

Can peppermint oil kill cats?

In fact, "cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. Specifically, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and oil of wintergreen, among others, have been known to cause poisoning in cats.

Is Lavender toxic to cats?

In fact, lavender essential oil is perhaps even worse for a cat than the plain plant. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states the common lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) contains linlool and linalyl acetate, two compounds toxic to cats (and found in other flowers like bergamot).

Do cats like the smell of cinnamon?

However, it is important to remember that cats have a heightened sense of smell. A scent that is pleasant to a person may be overwhelming for a feline. When using cinnamon around your cats, use as little as possible. Many cats hate the scent of cinnamon to the point where it becomes a repellent.

Is it safe to inhale peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil appears to be safe when taken orally (by mouth) in the doses commonly used. Excessive doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face or chest of infants or young children because serious side effects may occur if they inhale the menthol in the oil.

Do cats like the smell of vinegar?

A little vinegar can help with that. Put some vinegar in a spray bottle and use it on the areas where you don't want cats getting into. Most cats will elect to find somewhere else to sit if they detect the scent. The vinegar also has the handy added effect of being a decent deodorizer.

What scent does a cat hate?

Cats have 40 times the odor sensitivity of humans and are able to smell scents for days or even weeks after the scent producing chemical has disappeared. Luckily, cats hate many smells that are pleasant for humans. Place natural oils – citronella, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass – in restricted areas.