Owning houseplants offers a variety of benefits, including adding color, improving air quality, and providing a calming atmosphere. But if you share your home with cats, you may be wondering if the two can co-exist peacefully. With the right plants and a few preventative measures, cats and houseplants can co-exist harmoniously. Read on to learn how.
Benefits of Owning Houseplants
Houseplants are a great way to bring a bit of nature into the home, and they come with many benefits. Studies show that house plants can boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve air quality.
They also act as natural humidifiers and can help reduce energy costs by providing natural insulation. Houseplants can also make a space look happier and more inviting.
They also provide a great alternative to decorating with artificial plants. With a wide variety of beautiful, low-maintenance plants to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and lifestyle. Caring for plants can be a very rewarding experience that brings a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Potential Risks with Cats and Houseplants
Cats and houseplants can be a tricky combination to try and get right. While both your feline friend and your plants can be wonderful companions and bring joy, there are some potential risks to consider.
These risks can come in the form of toxicity, destruction, or other unhealthy combinations. To ensure that your cat and your plants can coexist peacefully, it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions and to choose the right plants for your home. When selecting plants, research whether or not they are toxic to cats.
Some common plants, such as peace lilies, azaleas, and philodendron, can be dangerous for your pet if ingested. Keeping plants out of reach or in places your cat can’t get to can be a great way to prevent any accidents.
If your cat is a particularly curious fellow, you may try protecting the plants with a mesh caging or repellents such as cayenne pepper or citrus. With the right plants and safety measures in place, cats and houseplants can peacefully coexist in your home.
Plant Toxicity
It’s important to be aware of the potential risks of having cats and houseplants living together. One of the main risks is plant toxicity.
Some plants contain toxins that can be lethal to cats. Common plants that pose a risk to cats include Lilies, Philodendrons, Azaleas and Pothos. Even if the plants don’t contain toxins, they may still cause gastrointestinal problems or skin irritation if the cats eat them.
If you have cats, it’s important to research the plants you want to buy before bringing them home.
There are many non-toxic plants that cats can enjoy without any ill effects. Some of these include Spider plants, Orchids, Snake plants, Cacti and Succulents. These plants are safe for cats and can bring a cheerful touch to any home.
Cats love to investigate plants, so adding a few to your home can provide your cats with hours of entertainment. With the right plants and preventative measures, cats and houseplants can co-exist peacefully.
Plant Destructiveness
Cats are curious creatures, which can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to houseplants. While cats may enjoy hiding among the leaves or rubbing their cheeks on the leaves, this can often lead to damage, such as broken leaves, snapped stems, and uprooted plants.
Though it’s not always possible to keep cats away from plants, there are some ways to minimize the destruction. You should choose plants that cats find unappealing.
Cats have their own preferences and will rarely eat or chew on plants they don’t find appealing. Keep in mind that some common household plants, such as philodendrons, lilies, and poinsettias, are toxic to cats and should be avoided. You should place your plants in places that are out of reach of your cats.
If possible, hang plants from the ceiling or place them on high shelves and counters that cats cannot reach.
If you must keep plants on the floor, consider using a raised pot or container that cats cannot climb into. You can use deterrents such as sticky tape, aluminum foil, or citrus-scented sprays to keep cats away from plants. With the right measures, your cats and houseplants can co-exist peacefully.
Tips for Coexistence
When it comes to coexisting peacefully, choosing the right plants is key. Start by selecting non-toxic plants that are safe for cats.
Succulents and potted herbs are good options as they are generally safe. Avoid plants that have fragrant oils and visible fuzz, as cats may be tempted to ingest them.
When in doubt, check with your veterinarian or a pet poison control center for advice. Placement of the plants is also important.
Cats are curious creatures and may try to climb the plant or knock it off the shelf. To keep your kitty safe and your plants in tact, place the plants on a high shelf or on a table or stand. You can use a hanging planter and hang it high off the ground out of reach from cats. If your cats are extra persistent, you can use deterrents such as cat repellent sprays or double-sided tape to keep them away.
Choosing Non-Toxic Plants
When it comes to cats and houseplants, you want to make sure you’re choosing plants that won’t be toxic to your kitty should they decide to chow down. Some of the best non-toxic plants to choose are those that are high in fiber and bulk, like grasses or wheat-based plants, and those that the cat is less likely to find appealing, like ferns, spider plants, and peace lilies. Make sure to read up on houseplant toxicity to be sure that what you’re looking for is safe for your fur baby.
Another key factor in cats and houseplants coexisting peaceably is to place the houseplants in areas that your cat is less likely to go to. A great example of this is to place the houseplants on higher surfaces such as tables, countertops, shelves, window sills, etc.
This way, you can be sure that your kitty won’t be tempted to take a bite out of them.
You can also take preventative measures to ensure that your cats and plants stay in harmony. There are a few ways you can do this such as using deterrents like citrus scents, bitter sprays, and mats, or by using physical barriers like boxes and screens to keep your cats away from your houseplants. By taking these extra steps, you can be sure that your cats and houseplants will live happily and peacefully together.
Placement
When it comes to your houseplants and cats coexisting peacefully, the placement of your plants is key. Place your plants on high shelves and counters to keep them away from curious cats. You can also use cat-proof planters or hanging baskets.
Make sure to put your plants in areas where cats won’t be able to easily access them.
You can also use decorative screens to cover plants, if you don’t want to put them out of reach. Another thing to consider when placing plants is their proximity to windows.
Cats may be tempted to reach for the leaves of your plants, so if they are close to the windows, you should be extra vigilant. It’s best to keep plants away from windows and out of reach. And of course, if you have cats that like to climb, you should make sure to place your plants on higher surfaces.
Deterrents & Protection
To keep your cats away from your houseplants, it’s important to use deterrents and protection. First of all, make sure you keep your plants in places that your cat can’t easily access.
If you have a shelf that your cats can’t climb, that’s a great option. You should also invest in some kind of protective netting to keep your cats away from the plants. Many pet stores sell netting specifically designed for this purpose.
You can use citronella or other strong-smelling items to deter your cats from getting near your plants. Try to make your plants as unappealing as possible. Cats don’t like prickly leaves or slimy textures, so choose plants with these features to make them undesirable to your furry friends.