Indoor cats and your plants: The art of getting along

It never fails.

You bring home a new, beautiful plant with lush, green leaves and within a couple of days, the bottom leaves of the plant are torn and covered in bite marks. You find your cat who, looking at you sweetly, has already vomited in a corner. Why do cats find it necessary to eat your plants? Is this a safe habit? And, what other options are there?

There are many reasons why cats chew on plants.

Some say that cats do, in fact, eat plants to induce vomiting. By vomiting, cats are able to get rid of unwanted substances in their digestive tracts, such as hairballs. Others say that cats that eat plants are looking for minerals and vitamins that they are lacking in their diets. Or, who knows, maybe they are bored and just like the taste. No matter the reason, you want to keep your cat healthy and your plants looking great!

Your first priority is protecting your cat.

Carefully inventory all of the plants in your home and check them for toxicity. Widely-known indoor plants that are toxic to cats include philodendron and ivy; though there are numerous others that have ill effects on animals. Watch for signs of poisoning, such as diarrhea, skin irritation, and vomiting. If these symptoms are present, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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There are many options to consider.

It's important to keep your plants off the floor. If permissible, you can hang your plants. More realistically, you can place them on tables, making sure that the base of the table is only wide enough for the plant. Otherwise, your acrobatic kitty will continue to chew on the plant's leaves. Many pet shops carry substances that, when sprayed on the leaves, act as a cat repellent. These substances are safe for both the cat and the plant.

Sometimes, cats aren't after the plant's leaves.

Instead, they are looking to rake around in the plant's soil. Leaf repellent won't work in this case, but other repellents will. Try rubbing Tabasco on the plant's container or sprinkling the soil with red or black pepper. You can also cover the soil with rocks or marbles to discourage the cat from playing in the container. If none of these ideas work, try placing double-sided sticky tape around the base of the plant. It isn't the most attractive option, but we all know how cats can't stand for things to stick on their paws.

You can also provide your cat with her own plants.

Catnip can be easily grown in your home. Cats love catnip, and it keeps them entertained for hours. Cats are also attracted to Valerian. When taken by humans, Valerian acts as a sedative; but, when taken by cats, Valerian acts as a stimulant. Cat Thyme is a third option. Like catnip, cats love Cat Thyme. All three herbs can be easily grown in the home. They are pleasing to your cat and can provide relief for your other plants!

Plant eating can also be a sign of boredom.

Make sure that your cat has plenty of toys and distractions. Luckily, cats can be amused by the cheapest of toys. A piece of yarn, a paper bag and even a sock can provide hours of enjoyment for your kitty.

Balancing your pet and your plants can be difficult.

You want to keep your cat safe, while keeping your home beautiful. Whether your cat has a hairball, is bored, or just likes the taste of plants, she will more than likely chew on plants that are easily accessible to her. Take precautions with your plants. Make sure they are not poisonous to your cat, and keep them off the floor. If your cat has been eating toxic plants, then watch for symptoms of poisoning. If these symptoms are apparent, talk to your veterinarian immediately. If keeping you plants off the floor doesn't work, stop by your local pet store and purchase cat repellent, ball of yarn, and catnip, Valerian, or Cat Thyme seedlings. Planting these seedlings will distract your cat from your other plants. If none of these options work, then it may be necessary to talk to someone who specializes in cat obedience.