Although cats in the wild are primarily carnivores, they also nibble on plants, for added nutrients or fiber, or perhaps just because they like the taste. We're not really sure.
But young, tender vegetation seems to be their favorite. In our homes, cats sometimes eat houseplants out of boredom, or because they're attracted to the fluttering leaves.
If you are a houseplant enthusiast, fear not, you can have your beautiful plants and keep your cats safe as well.
Give Your Cats Their Own Plants:
You can buy kitty grass that comes with its container. Follow the directions on the package, and you'll have seedlings sprouting up within a few days. The only downside to this setup is that the grass usually dies out after a few weeks, so you must replenish often. You can also plant a container of wheatgrass yourself. It's easy. You can find wheatberries at most health food stores. Plant them in the dirt that is kept moist but not saturated. Once the first tiny blades of grass pop up, move the container to a sunny location.
Fresh catnip is another healthy option, as the plant is not difficult to grow indoors. About two out of three cats go wild over catnip for its mind-altering properties (which decrease the more that a cat is exposed to the plant). But catnip also has a decent supply of vitamins and fiber, which can aid digestion. For best results, you may want to situate the kitty's private vegetable garden near its food and/or water areas and away from the other plants to avoid giving mixed signals about eating plants. To help keep your cats safe and satisfied, here’s ASPCA’s full list of toxic and non-toxic plants for cats.
Simple Ways to Stop Your Cat from Nibbling on Your Houseplants:
Cats are really, really sensitive to smell. One of the easiest ways to keep them from eating, digging, and otherwise playing with your plants is to make them smell unappetizing. It’s also relatively easy to find over-the-counter pet sprays that are designed specifically to keep pets away from houseplants. They’re made from non-toxic ingredients but it’s always smart to check with your vet before letting your cat near any over-the-counter substance.
Cats dislike the smell of citrus and peppermint, so try throwing a lemon peel or peppermint oil into the soil of your plants. (Don’t use concentrated citrus oils as it can be toxic).
Cats also don’t like the smell of coffee grounds. You can place used coffee grounds around the base of your plants to keep cats at bay.
As an alternative, you can always mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and spray directly on the leaves of your plant. Your cat won’t be tempted to nom and the mixture won’t hurt your plants!
Place Objects Cats Do Not Like Inside Pots to Deter them from Digging
There are several ways to cat-proof your plants and stop your cats from digging in your pots and constantly making a mess.
Aluminum Foil: Cats do not like the reflection and the texture from aluminum foil. You can try two methods:
Place a thin layer of aluminum around the top of your pots
Crumple up balls of aluminum foil and place several balls on top of the soil.
Pinecones: Cats don’t like the rough texture of pinecones, so placing a couple on top of the soil can serve as an added deterrent. First, spray pinecone with water to remove any debris and then place inside the pot.
Pine needles are another great option as they offer a natural look in decoration and will often deter cats from digging in your plants.
