Have your furry felines been trying to munch on your houseplants? We will tell you how to keep your plants away from your cats’ paws!
Cats are the best pets to keep if you stay away from home for long periods and want to return to a furry companion. Unlike dogs, cats are pretty self-sufficient and are unlikely to feel your absence too much. As long as their food and water bowls are filled, the felines prefer to lounge in the sunlight streaming in from the windows and watch the birds fluttering outside. While they prefer solitude by nature, they also love their human friends and want them around, which is why sometimes the destructive tendencies of cats begin to show if the owners are missing for long.
You may come home to destroyed toilet rolls or even a shattered mug or two, but the real scare is when you notice chewed-up plant leaves that were fine when you left. Whether your houseplants are solely decorative or you love them for sentimental reasons, most indoor greenery can harm a cat’s health and cause serious consequences. Does that mean one cannot keep cats and plants simultaneously? Absolutely not. You can have your furry companions without having to give up your potted pals. In this article, we will be telling you why cats try to eat plants and how this can be prevented. So let’s dive in!
Why Are My Cats Eating Plants?
Cats chewing on plants may come as a surprise to many since they are supposed to be carnivorous. However, people who have (or had) felines as house pets know this behavior is far from unusual, expected even. Depending on the general health and dietary reasons, a cat may resort to munching on domestic greenery for several reasons. Some of the common ones include:
- Boredom: Cats need a stimulating environment to release their restless energy. If you are not taking your cat outdoors regularly, they may get bored at home and make use of their pent-up enthusiasm by chewing on plants.
- Sickness: This may be the most common reason cats try to eat houseplants. Most greens not only soothe a sore throat but also help aid in digestion by providing fiber to a cat’s diet. When a cat is constipated, they try to induce vomiting to empty the upper part of their gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, cats cannot entirely digest plants, and the undigested part provides much-needed fiber that can soothe the tummy ache.
- Detoxification: A cat may sometimes eat plants after eating something toxic. By eating plants, the cat will either throw up, cleanse the gut from the harmful substance, or the plant itself may kill the bug or parasite.
- Nutritional Deficiency: Nutritional deficiencies may cause cats to eat greenery. If your cat has low iron, the kitty’s body will be unable to synthesize hemoglobin, an essential component of blood.
While all that is true, sometimes you may notice a changed behavior that accompanies the ingestion of plants. If your cat is not one to normally eat plants and this behavior is unusual, you may want to understand the reason behind it. Apart from sickness, there are many other explanations behind a change in a cat’s appetite. A common reason is if the cat is taking any medication that may cause difficulty in passing stools. This change in bowel habits can prompt the cats to seek remedies from houseplants. Changing the cat food or trying out a new brand can also cause this.
Change in routine
Similarly, if your schedule has changed and you have been spending less time with your cat, it may cause the feline to become destructive to get your attention. If your cat was previously used to the outdoors and is now forced to stay inside, the houseplants may be serving as a good substitute for natural greenery. A young kitten may sometimes chew on the greens out of curiosity, whereas intact males and females nibble on household plants when the opposite gender has left a trail.
These and many other reasons may propel your cats to add greens to their meals. However, most houseplants are unsafe and can be extremely harmful to cats!
Houseplants More Likely To Be Eaten By Cats
Cats are primarily carnivores, meaning they are not supposed to eat plants. However, no one tells cats how to lead their lives, which is why many cat owners are terrified of keeping houseplants as their furry friend may decide to munch on some leaves one day. If a cat feels ill or bored, it will mostly not discriminate between the greens available. A cat may decide to test out a plant’s ability to induce vomiting to soothe a tummy ache or sore throat.
While a cat may not care about the kind of plant you have at home, there are some houseplants cats inherently like. Hence, such greens are more likely to attract cats when placed indoors. These include the edible flowers of zinnias, marigolds, and Johnny-jump-ups and some greens, including cat thyme, oat grass, rosemary, and bean sprouts. Catnip is considered every cat’s favorite, but that is not true. Many cats do not like catnip and can even make some felines sick. You can test it in limited quantities with your cat and see how they react to it.
Some plants are more harmful to cats than others. These comprise plants belonging to Lilium or Hemerocallis species, including Tiger lilies, Daylilies, Asiatic hybrid lilies, Japanese show lilies, Easter lilies, and Rubrum, Stargazer lilies, Red lilies, and Wood lilies. These plants are highly toxic and can cause significant morbidity and mortality among cats even when ingested in very small quantities.
So how can one now stop cats from eating plants?
4 Ways To Keep Your Cats Away From Your Plants
Most cat owners are aware that houseplants can be harmful to cats. However, the real challenge is keeping the cats from munching on them, whether you are present or not. But how does one do that? Since we all know cats do not respond well to commands, there needs to be an alternate way to prevent the furry felines from ingesting potentially toxic chemicals. We will tell you the methods that have proven effective in deterring cats and keeping them away from plants. These include:
Make Your Plants Stink
Cats are very sensitive to smell. A cat will not eat anything that doesn’t smell appetizing. It’s why cat foods have such a strong smell. Cats have a natural aversion to the smell of anything citrus. Try throwing in a lemon peel or two if you want to keep your cat away from your potted plants. Avoid using citrus oils as they can be toxic. Cayenne pepper is also an excellent option to stop your cat from eating plants. One sniff will keep them away for good.
Select Plants Hated By Cats
Another simple way to prevent cats from eating your indoor plants is by choosing the varieties cats hate. Rosemary is a good option in this regard as humans love it and cats don’t. Similarly, thorny plants such as roses and cacti are an excellent option because the prickly thorns will serve as a physical deterrent. There is another plant called Scaredy Cat. As the name indicates, it is not popular among felines and hence a good option to keep indoors if you are a cat parent.
Deterrent Sprays
Many over-the-counter sprays are available at veterinary clinics to help keep the cats away from houseplants. One spray of these, and your cats will think twice before advancing on the helpless greens. However, many over-the-counter sprays may contain chemicals that your cat might be allergic to. It is advisable to always consult your vet before using any such substance. You can also prepare a mixture of 3 parts of water and one part vinegar and spray it on your plants. It will act as a repellent for cats without harming the plants.
Keep Out Of Reach
When all else fails, it is best to place your plants on shelves that are out of your cat’s reach. You can also keep them in rooms or areas that the cats cannot enter. You can also hang them from the ceiling to keep them truly out of your cat’s way.
Conclusion
Cats are curious animals. The saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’ is commonly used for a reason. While it’s possible your cats may be resorting to destroying indoor plants out of idle curiosity, it is essential to rule out other causes that may be dangerous to your pet. If the behavior persists despite trying to keep the cat away from plants, a full workup with your cat’s vet might help. If there are any nutritional deficiencies or if the cat is suffering from an illness, catching it early on can mean the difference between life and death.