Having plants and cats under the same roof can seem challenging, but with some planning and effort, you can create a safe, harmonious environment for both your feline friends and your green thumb dreams. As a fellow cat parent and plant enthusiast, I’ve learned a lot over the years about successfully combining these two interests. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I know to help you keep your cats and plants happy and healthy together.
Why Cats and Plants Pose Risks to Each Other
It’s important to understand the potential issues cats and plants can cause for one another. On one hand, many common houseplants are toxic to cats if ingested. On the other, cats may damage plants by chewing on leaves or digging in soil. Knowing these risks is the first step toward proactively addressing them.
Toxic Plants Can Harm Cats
Many popular houseplants like lilies, poinsettias, and philodendrons are toxic to cats. All parts of these plants, including leaves, flowers, stems, and roots, can cause serious health problems if cats eat them. Lily toxicity is especially dangerous and can be fatal for cats.
You should do a lot of research on any plants you bring into your home to make sure they are safe for cats. The ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants is a great place to start. Never assume a plant is safe; only bring in plants that have been proven to be safe for cats.
Cats May Damage Plants
Cats are naturally drawn to plants as curious, playful creatures. It’s common for them to chew on leaves or dig in potting soil, damaging plants. Kittens and younger cats in particular exhibit these behaviors as they explore and learn.
Deterrent sprays can help stop kids from chewing on plants, but keeping an eye on them and giving them other things to do are better ways to keep them from doing it. Cats are less likely to think of plants as toys if you give them scratching posts, toys, and places to dig.
Choose the Right Plants
Selecting cat-friendly plants suited to your home’s environment is vital for success Follow these do’s and don’ts when picking plants if you have cats
Do:
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Thoroughly research plants to verify they are non-toxic. Use reputable sources like the ASPCA.
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Opt for cat grass, This nutrient-rich grass satisfies chewing urges safely,
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Pick hardy plants like succulents and spider plants that tolerate nibbles well.
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Select plants suited to the light and humidity in your home so they thrive.
Don’t:
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Assume a plant is safe – many toxic varieties like lilies are common houseplants.
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Bring in known toxic plants like poinsettias or philodendrons. Don’t take risks.
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Choose delicate plants or those requiring frequent grooming to look their best.
You can avoid a lot of problems down the road by choosing plants that are right for your home from the start. Spend some time learning about plants and what they need to find kinds that cats will like.
Strategically Place Plants
How and where you put plants has a big effect on how cats can get to them. Use these tips when arranging plants:
Location
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Keep plants completely out of reach in hanging baskets, on high shelves, plant stands, or tall plant towers.
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Place plants in rooms cats don’t access much, like home offices.
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Avoid clustering many plants together, which creates a tempting play area. Space judiciously.
Containers
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Choose heavy pots cats can’t tip over. Wide, low pots with sturdy bases work best.
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Use hanging planters, wall-mounted pots, or wire hanging frames to elevate plants.
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For delicate plants, use terrariums or place behind cloches out of direct reach.
Layout
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Avoid positioning plants near furniture cats could jump on to access them.
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Face wall-mounted plants toward the wall to block access.
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Place protective stands or obstacles like rocks around pots to deter digging.
Get creative with vertical space and barriers to make plants as inaccessible as possible to cats. You can protect plants without denying cats their favorite lounging spots.
Cat-Proof Your Plants
You can also take direct measures on plants to make them less enticing and more resilient:
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Mist leaves with diluted lemon juice, citrus oil, or bitter apple spray to deter chewing. Reapply regularly.
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Top dress soil with rough rocks, pinecones, sticks or netting to prevent digging.
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Consider motion-activated deterrents like ScareCrow Sprinkler to shoo cats away.
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When bringing new plants home, isolate them so cats lose interest before exposing.
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Lightly spray leaves with water and use a fan to make chewing plants unappealing. The motion also deters cats.
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Nurture plants to optimal health so they better withstand minor damage. Thriving plants recover better than struggling ones.
With vigilance and persistence, you can gain the upper hand against cat behaviors that bother plants. Deterrents plus cat-proof placement and distraction tactics will eventually convince them to leave your greens alone.
Ensure Cat Safety
While protecting plants, never use methods that could harm your cats. Here are some key precautions:
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Only use cat-safe products like deterrent sprays or oils. Research safety before applying anything topical to plants.
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Avoid deterrents containing essential oils, which can trigger respiratory issues in cats. Many common oils are risky.
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Prevent cats accessing plants treated with fertilizers or insecticides before fully dried. These may be toxic.
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Never activate motion deterrents like ScareCrow Sprinkler when cats are present – only when unoccupied to avoid frightening or injuring them.
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Carefully monitor the position of wall-mounted or hanging plants over time. Don’t allow plants to become dangling hazards.
Your cats’ well-being is the top priority. Stay vigilant so your solutions don’t pose other safety risks. With smart, safe deterrents and care in plant selection and placement, you can fill your home with gorgeous, thriving plants – even with cats in the mix! It just takes strategy and diligence. The payoff of a home bursting with beauty and life is well worth the effort.
Toxic Houseplants to Plants to Avoid
It’s important to note that lilies are only poisonous when consumed. Your vase of lilies safely set far from your cat’s ability to knock over or otherwise access should be fine. However, lilies are among the most toxic plants to cats, leading to kidney failure, seizures and death. In fact, even drinking water from a vase with lilies in it is dangerous, and your pet needs to see a vet right away. You cat could experience irreversible kidney failure if not seen within 48 hours.
- Asiatic Lily
- Daylily
- Easter Lily
- Japanese Show Lily
- Oriental Lily
- Rubrum Lily
- Stargazer Lily
- Tiger Lily
- Wood Lily
While you want to avoid highly toxic plants lilies there are still less toxic houseplants that you should still remain cautious off. These effects aren’t as bad, but your cat could vomit, have diarrhea, feel weak, and have skin, mouth, and stomach irritations. Usually, these reactions won’t last long but you should still be on the look out and contact your Veterinarian if these issues persist.
• Asparagus Ferns • English Ivy • Dieffenbachia • Dracaena • Pothos Plant • Philodendron • Fiddle Leaf Fig • Snake Plant • Poinsettia • Primrose • ZZ Plant.
Safe Houseplants for your Cat
Now let’s move into a more positive direction and talk about houseplants that are suited for homes with cats! These have little to none side effects to you cats. Make sure to do your research and double check that a houseplant is safe for cats before bringing it into your home. When in doubt, you can always google it!.
- Ferns
- Spider Plant
- African Violets
- Air Plants
- Prayer Plants
- Cast Iron Plant
- Bamboo
- Hoya
- Echeveria and Haworthia Succulents
- Sedum
- Christmas Cactus
- Peperomonia (tastes yucky to cats)
- Calathea
- Zebra Plant
- Palms
You can view a full list of non-toxic houseplants by clicking here! (ASPCA)
Living with cats and plants | how we all coexist
FAQ
Can I have a cat if I have plants?
Are pot plants safe for my cat? No. A lot of houseplants are toxic to cats and other pets. Before you add a new one to your collection, it’s vital that you make sure it’s safe in case your cats eat it. Some plants don’t even need to be ingested and will hurt your cat if they just touch them.
How do cat owners have plants?
Hanging plants or pots mounted on walls are good options – as long as the cats aren’t determined and athletic enough to reach these anyway. To avoid messes, pick pots that are bottom-heavy and difficult to tip over. Certain scents might deter cats entirely.
Do I have to get rid of my plants if I get a cat?
Overall, Providing alternatives and distractions are the best ways I’ve found to allow my plants and my cat to live in near harmony. Making sure your cat has cat grass to eat, fun toys near your plants, and lots of places to climb if that’s their thing!
How to deter cats from messing with plants?
4. Spray your plants with diluted lemon juice. Citrus is a great natural deterrent for both cats and dogs and it is safe for your houseplants. Oct 6, 2022.
Can cats eat houseplants?
Although cats should never be eating houseplants, when you choose cat-safe ones, you can rest easy knowing that if they do ingest some, they will be okay. Even a cat safe plant can cause some oral irritation, stomach upset, or other mild symptoms. But they won’t be as serious or life-threatening as toxic plants.
Are indoor plants safe for cats?
And that’s when accidents can happen. If your cat is an indoor only cat (which is safest for cats anyway) then you can have outdoor plants that are toxic because your cats won’t have access to them. Save the pet-safe plants for the indoor plants.
How do I Keep my Cat from jumping over a planter?
• Use plant hangers to hang plants from the ceiling where your cats can’t reach it. Or use wall-pots (only works if your cats are not too acrobatic!) • Make sure if you put a plant up high, that there is no way for your cat to jump up there. No empty space for your cat on the #plantshelfie or he or she may tip over a planter.
What is a cat-friendly house plant?
In general, a cat-friendly house plant is one that does not create any negative effects if your cat was to accidentally ingest some of it. Ideally, our cats would never eat any of our plants.
Can cats eat plant leaves?
Not all cats are interested in plants, and some can be left alone in a room with poisonous plants and be fine. But if you have a cat that likes to nibble on fresh plant leaves, stay away from these plants: Did you hear that plantlady is the new catlady? That sounds funny, doesn’t it?
How do you make a cat-friendly garden?
A cat-friendly garden should also include fertilizers, pesticides, and weed control. When possible, choose natural sources, and always opt for pet-friendly versions. Speak to a vet if you have any questions about yard chemicals that are safe for your cat. If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet.