If you’re a cat owner who also loves houseplants, you’ve probably faced the challenge of your curious feline nibbling on your greenery. While it might seem cute or harmless, cats eating plants can be risky for both your plants and your pet. So, how do you stop your cat from eating plants? Let’s explore some practical, easy-to-follow tips to keep your plants safe and your cat happy.
Why Do Cats Eat Plants?
Understanding why cats munch on plants is the first step to solving the problem. Cats may eat plants because:
– They seek dietary fiber to help with digestion or hairballs.
– They are bored and looking for entertainment.
– They are curious and enjoy the texture or taste.
– They might be trying to soothe an upset stomach.
This behavior is normal to some extent, but it can become problematic if your cat frequently damages your plants or eats toxic varieties.
Are Plants Dangerous to Cats?
Yes, some plants are toxic to cats and can cause anything from mild nausea to severe poisoning or even death. Common toxic plants include lilies, poinsettias, sago palms, azaleas, dieffenbachia, mistletoe, and many others. It’s important to know which plants are safe and which aren’t, and avoid bringing toxic ones into your home or keep them completely out of your cat’s reach.
How to Stop Your Cat from Eating Plants
Here are several effective strategies to protect your plants and keep your cat safe:
1. Choose Cat-Safe Plants or Remove Toxic Ones
The simplest way to prevent issues is to avoid bringing toxic plants into your home. If you want to keep certain plants, make sure they are non-toxic to cats or place toxic ones in secured rooms where your cat can’t access them.
2. Provide Cat-Friendly Alternatives
Offer your cat safe plants they can nibble on, such as wheatgrass, catnip, barley, or oats. These can satisfy their urge to chew plants and divert attention from your houseplants.
3. Use Physical Barriers on Your Plants
Cover the soil surface with materials cats dislike, such as:
– Mesh screens or chicken wire with slits to fit around stems.
– Pine cones, large pebbles, stones, or aluminum foil on top of the soil.
– Double-sided sticky tape around the pot edges.
These barriers discourage digging and chewing by making the plant less accessible or uncomfortable to touch.
4. Employ Natural Repellents
Cats dislike certain smells and tastes. You can use:
– Citrus peels (orange, lemon) spread around the base of plants.
– Sprays made from diluted citrus or commercial bitter sprays like Bitter Apple or Bitter Cherry.
– Sprinkling cayenne pepper around outdoor plants (avoid indoor use as it can irritate cats).
These repellents make plants less appealing without harming your cat.
5. Train Your Cat with Gentle Deterrents
Use a spray bottle filled with water to gently spray your cat when it approaches your plants. Most cats quickly learn to avoid the area after a few times. The sound of shaking the bottle alone can become a deterrent.
6. Keep Plants Out of Reach
Place plants on high shelves, hang them from the ceiling, or use plant stands that your cat can’t jump onto. If your cat is an expert jumper, consider hanging pots or rooms off-limits to your cat.
7. Enrich Your Cat’s Environment
Boredom often leads cats to chew on plants. Keep your cat entertained with:
– Daily interactive play sessions (5-10 minutes).
– Toys, climbing furniture, scratching posts, and puzzle feeders.
– A safe outdoor enclosure or “catio” if possible.
A stimulated cat is less likely to seek out plants for amusement.
8. Use Cat-Repellent Devices
Motion-activated pet deterrents or ultrasonic devices can discourage cats from approaching plants without causing harm or stress.
Plants Cats Usually Avoid
If you want to keep plants that don’t attract cats, consider:
– Rosemary (strong aroma cats dislike).
– “Scaredy cat” plant (named for repelling cats).
– Thorny plants like cacti and roses, which cats tend to avoid after a single encounter.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Toxic Plant
If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic plant, watch for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, drooling, or difficulty breathing. Contact your veterinarian immediately for advice and treatment.
Stopping your cat from eating plants is doable with a combination of safe plant choices, physical barriers, deterrents, and environmental enrichment. By understanding your cat’s behavior and providing alternatives, you can enjoy both your feline friend and your beautiful plants in harmony.