Unfortunately, if you own a cat, these plants can be particularly tempting for them to eat when you're not around, and while some may be safe for your companion, others may put him or her at a risk of poisoning or myriad other feline health problems. Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can deter your cat from eating your house plants and utilize these decorative ideas for a cat-friendly home.
To err on the side of caution, you should make an effort to remove any plants from your home that could be poisonous to your cat. According to Care2.com, common plants like aloe vera, amaryllis, azalea, begonia, daffodils, lilies and many more could cause digestive problems and even death in some cases, so make sure you do your research before purchasing oneto ensure that you aren't putting your cat at risk.
While cats are carnivores by nature, there's a reason they're drawn to house plants. In the wild, cats eat grass to aid their digestion, and you can pick up a similar product at your local pet store. According to VetInfo.com, cat grass is a great source of fiber, niacin and B vitamins, and you can usually buy it in potted form at the nearest pet store.
This will satiate your cat's need to chomp down on some greenery and avoid your plants, as well as holding a number of unique health benefits.
Utilize chili powder.
If you have a plant in your home that isn't toxic but your cat never seems to leave it alone, a good way to keep him or her away is by sprinkling chili powder on the leaves. Lightly dust the plant with the spice and you'll soon notice that your cat willavoid it altogether. Be sure to water your plants from the bottom in the weeks following the application of the chili powder to prevent the spice from washing off. Last but not least, you can also place aluminum foil around your potted plants - cats hate the feeling underneath their feet and will avoid your plants in the future.
This content is provided by the pet wellness experts at Hartz. We know that adopting a dog or cat is a huge commitment, so we're here to help you feel confident and become the best pet parent you can be.
Utilize chili powder. If you have a plant in your home that isn't toxic but your cat never seems to leave it alone, a good way to keep him or her away is by sprinkling chili powder on the leaves. Lightly dust the plant with the spice and you'll soon notice that your cat will avoid it altogether.
Because cats don't like the taste or smell of citrus, mix together water with lemon, lime or orange juice, and then spritz this on your plants. Often, the smell of the citrus is enough to keep your cat away. If she does nibble, one taste of citrus should prevent further plant snacking.
In the wild, cats do eat plants! It's not a diet staple, but plant ingestion helps digestion system function and to move fur balls through the digestion system. Domestic cats are much the same. In fact, veterinary receptionist Nancy's cat Albus has quite the taste for spinach!
Citrus is a great natural deterrent for both cats and dogs and it is safe for your houseplants. You can mix a few drops of lemon juice with water and use a spray bottle to apply it to the leaves of your plants, or you can place the lemon rinds over the soil if digging is more of an issue.
Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.)
The strong smell of coffee can be enough to keep cats off of your garden. Simply take your fresh, wet coffee grounds and distribute them around your borders and plants where you want to discourage feline attention. What's more, the coffee grounds are entirely biodegradable so they will decompose and enrich your soil.
If your cats' organs have been affected by ingesting a toxic plant, symptoms of poisoning may include: breathing difficulties, drooling, difficulties swallowing, excessive drinking, frequent urination, overall weakness, or irregular heartbeat. Gastrointestinal symptoms of poisoning may include: vomiting and diarrhea.
Keep in mind that the majority of plants are relatively safe but may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Of course, if your cat is seen consuming any part of a plant, and you're not sure it's safe, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for life-saving information.
Cats are more likely to chomp on house plants and it may surprise you but there's a wealth of them that have the potential to be poisonous, causing anything from mild skin irritation to serious gastrointestinal issues.
Humane deterrents are the best approach.... Smells that repel cats: To keep cats out of yards or gardens, plant the herb rue or sprinkle dried rue. Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.
You can make your own deterrent spray at home, as well. Make a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water, and spritz it onto the leaves of your plant. Cats hate the smell, and it doesn't hurt your plant!
Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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