Household Plants

Household Plants and Cats

Many cat owners do not realize that they are putting their pet in harm’s way by keeping household plants that are poisonous to cats. Some plants can cause your cat to become extremely ill, even resulting in death.

Even if the cat does survive, you will be left with very expensive vet bills. This could be avoided by learning which plants are dangerous to cats and keeping them out of reach of your pet.

There are hundreds of plants that are harmful to your pet. If you have a cat, or any other pet, it is very important to learn which plants are harmful.

If you think that you pet has eaten a plant that is poisonous to him, do not wait. You must act immediately. First, try calling the Animal Poison Control Hotline. The number is 1-888-426-4435. There is a small fee for the call.

They will be able to tell you, based on the plant and the symptoms being exhibited by your cat, if you need to visit the emergency vet or if you can try a home treatment.  The sooner you get your cat medical attention, the better his chances for a full recovery.

The good news for those who love plants AND cats is that the list of plants that are not poisonous to cats is much longer than the list of household plants that are poisonous. If you are not particular about the type of plants you keep, then you’ll have plenty to choose from without putting your cat in harm’s way.

If, however, you want a certain popular plant, such as Aloe, that IS dangerous for your pet, you’ll need to take precautions to ensure that your cat does not have access to the plant. Anyone who owns a cat knows that this is easier said and done.  Here are some tips to help keep your cat away from dangerous household plants.

Hanging Baskets

Placing the dangerous plants in a hanging basket is one way to keep your cat away. However, if the plant has leaves that dangle, most cats are going to be very attracted to that. If the plant in question does not dangle, then placing it in a hanging basket is a good option.

Orange or Coffee

Some pet owners have found that placing some orange peels or coffee grounds at the base of the plant will act as a deterrent. Most pet stores also sell bottled formulas that are intended to make plants and other items of no interest to a cat.

Try it out, but watch your cat to see if the deterrent is working.

Cat Grass

Another way to try and keep your cat away from dangerous household plants is to give him some plants of his own. Most pet supply stores sell something called cat grass. Cat grass is a plant that cats are very attracted to that is totally safe for them to eat and play with to their hearts content.

Hopefully, if you keep plenty of cat grass plants for him to play with, he’ll be less interested in your other plants.

If you are not sure whether or not your household plants are dangerous for your cat, you should check right away. If they are, start taking steps to protect your pet.