It can be a struggle to keep cats away from plants. Every succulent, vine, or flower is a prime chewable target for felines. But you should keep your cats away from plants so they don’t get sick from chewing on them. Plant and animal experts share their thoughts on this method and better ways to keep cats away from plants.
Having plants and cats can be challenging but with some planning and effort you can create a safe and harmonious environment. As a cat parent who also loves having houseplants, I’ve learned a lot about successfully combining these two interests over the years. In this complete guide, I’ll share everything I know to help you keep your cats and plants happy and healthy together.
Why Cats and Plants Don’t Always Mix
Cats and plants can pose some risks to each other that are important to understand. On the one hand, many common houseplants are toxic to cats if ingested. On the other hand, cats may damage plants by chewing on leaves or digging in soil. Knowing these potential issues is the first step toward addressing them proactively.
Toxic Plants
Many popular houseplants like lilies, poinsettias, and philodendrons are toxic to cats All parts of these plants, including the leaves, flowers, stems, and roots, can cause serious health issues if cats eat them Lily toxicity is especially severe and can be fatal for cats.
It’s critical to research any plants you bring into your home to ensure they are cat-safe. Resources like the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants are invaluable. Don’t take risks by assuming a plant is safe. Only allow plants into your home that are confirmed cat-friendly.
Chewing and Digging
Cats are naturally drawn to plants as objects of curiosity and play. It’s common for cats to chew on leaves or dig in potting soil, damaging your plants. Kittens and younger cats are especially prone to these behaviors as part of normal exploration and learning.
While deterrent sprays can help curb plant chewing to some degree, supervision and providing alternative outlets for play are the most effective preventative measures. Give your cat plenty of toy mice, balls, and scratching posts so they’re less likely to view plants as toys.
Choose the Right Plants
Picking cat-friendly plants suited to your home’s environment is key to success. Here are some do’s and don’ts for choosing plants if you have cats:
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Do thoroughly research plants to verify they are non-toxic. Refer to reputable sources like the ASPCA.
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Don’t assume a plant is safe. Many toxic plants like lilies are common.
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Do opt for cat grass. This nutrient-packed grass satisfies chewing urges safely.
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Don’t bring toxic plants like poinsettias or philodendrons into your home. Play it 100% safe.
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Do select hardy plants if your cats tend to chew. Succulents and spider plants tolerate nibbles well.
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Don’t pick delicate plants or those that require frequent grooming by humans to look their best.
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Do choose plants suited to the light and humidity in your home so they thrive.
By making smart plant selections from the start, you prevent many issues down the road. Invest time into learning your potential plants’ traits and needs to find varieties that check all the boxes.
Strategically Place Plants
Where and how you situate plants makes a huge impact on their susceptibility to cat interference. Use these tips when arranging plants in your home:
Location
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Keep plants totally out of reach in hanging baskets, wall shelves, high shelves/plant stands, or tall plant towers.
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Place plants in rooms where your cats don’t spend much supervised time, like home offices.
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Avoid clustering multiple plants together, which creates a tempting play area. Space out judiciously.
Containers
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Select heavy pots cats cannot 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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Place very delicate plants in terrariums or behind cloches out of direct reach.
Layout
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Avoid positioning plants near furniture cats may 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 plant stands or obstacles like rocks around pots to deter digging.
Get creative with vertical space and barriers to make plants as inaccessible to cats as possible. Protect your plants without denying your cats their favorite sunbathing and perching spots.
Cat-Proof Your Plants
You can also take direct measures on plants to make them less enticing and more resilient against cat interactions:
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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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Topsoil with rough rocks, pinecones, sticks or netting to prevent digging in dirt.
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Consider using motion-activated deterrents like the ScareCrow Sprinkler to shoo cats away.
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When bringing new plants home, place in isolation for a few weeks so cats lose interest before exposing.
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Lightly spray leaves with water and run a fan nearby to make chewing plants less appealing. The motion also deters cats.
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Focus on nurturing plants to optimal health so they withstand minor damage. A thriving plant recovers better than a struggling one.
With persistence and vigilance, you can gain the upper hand against your cats’ plant-pestering behaviors. Deterrents combined with 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 jeopardize your cats’ well-being. Here are some precautions:
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Research cat safety before applying any topical deterrents like oils, sprays or powders. Only use cat-safe products.
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Avoid deterrents that could trigger breathing issues like essential oils. Many common oils are very risky for cats.
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Prevent cats accessing plants treated with chemical fertilizers or insecticides before fully dried. These may be toxic.
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Never use motion deterrents like ScareCrow Sprinkler when cats are present to avoid frightening or injuring them. Only activate when unoccupied.
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Monitor the position of wall-mounted or hanging plants carefully over time. Don’t allow plants to become dangling hazards.
Your cats’ health is the number one priority. Stay vigilant so your solutions don’t create other risks. With smart, safe deterrents and care in plant selection and placement, you can nurture thriving, gorgeous plants even in a cat-filled home. It just takes strategy and diligence. The payoff of a home filled with beauty and life is well worth it.
cats: 28
plants: 24
houseplants: 5
toxic plants: 3
chewing: 3
digging: 2
soil: 2
poinsettias: 1
philodendrons: 1
lilies: 1
ASPCA: 1
cat grass: 1
succulents: 1
spider plants: 1
light: 1
humidity: 1
hanging baskets: 1
wall shelves: 1
high shelves: 1
plant stands: 1
tall plant towers: 1
pots: 2
heavy pots: 1
wide pots: 1
low pots: 1
sturdy bases: 1
hanging planters: 1
wall-mounted pots: 1
wire hanging frames: 1
terarriums: 1
cloches: 1
lemon juice: 1
citrus oil: 1
bitter apple spray: 1
ScareCrow Sprinkler: 1
essential oils: 1
chemical fertilizers: 1
insecticides: 1
Cover the Soil
How to cat-proof plants is a question customers at City Floral Garden Center ask a lot. Covering the soil of larger plants with pinecones, rocks, or bamboo spikes is one of the things that Marketing Director Matthew Osier suggests, and the company does it with their office cat.
“Sometimes cats want to use [houseplants] as a litter box,” Osier says. In order to keep them from squatting or doing whatever else they do to get into the plant, we try to get people to use something that matches the plant’s style. ”.
Change the Plant’s Location
To keep your cats away from your plants, make sure they can’t get to them. Here are a few options:
- Hang plants: Embrace hanging plants and high places. Wai and MacDonald both use tall shelves and macramé plant holders to keep their smaller plants up high and out of reach of pets.
- Make a conservatory. If you have room, set aside a room for plants that your cat is not allowed in.
- Put plants inside: Use terrariums or turn a cabinet with glass doors into your own little greenhouse. You can still see the plants, but they are safe now.
How Do I Have Two Cats AND 400+ Houseplants??? | Cats & Plants 101
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