The cat is a carnivore that can occasionally turn into a consumer of grass and even a gardener. Should you prevent your cat from eating grass or plants? All cats consume them and they do not eat just any. Indeed, they select them with care!
Eating plants is a necessity for the cat
Plants that cats love to fall into two broad categories. Fatty herbs and dry herbs:
- Oily and thick grasses have a laxative role for cats. They ingest them when they have digestive problems or when they have a stomach ache.
- Dry, woody grasses cause vomiting. Cats use them to empty their stomachs, especially to help them regurgitate ingested hairballs. In general, when cats vomit, they often let out loud, hoarse cries before rejecting this clump of hair.
- The consumption of plants is not enough for him to self-worm. It is necessary to treat it regularly to preserve it from intestinal parasites.
Plants that cats love
Harmless to cats and other household animals, you can grow them without risk at home:
Catnip: it belongs to the large family of Labiatae, which cats like very much. It is also called catnip. It contains nepetalactone acting as a kind of euphoric drug on our cats. They then start licking, purring, and rubbing. They may sometimes have dilated pupils. This herb is harmless to them and therefore harmless to their health.
Thyme is a stimulating and antiseptic aromatic plant. It is effective on the digestive plan and makes it a natural preventive dewormer and ideal for the cat. If your cat has digestion problems or has intestinal worms, you can give him a few sprigs of thyme mixed into his mash.
Traditional catnip: the traditional catnip that you find in pet stores and in supermarkets is not catnip but traditional grass (composed of barley, wheat, rye, etc.). It offers digestive properties and prevents cats from having intestinal worms.
Our main question is Can cats eat Sage? Sage is one of the oldest herbs considered to be digestive, relieves the cat in case of gingivitis and can disinfect wounds. With anti-inflammatory properties, it is also used in case of tonsillitis or canker sores. It is a source of vitamin K which participates in blood clotting.
- Other harmless plants for the cat
- Rosemary,
- Mint,
- Valerian,
- the papyrus,
- The cespitous catch,
- The stipple,
- germander,
- swab grass,
- the breeze,
Plants dangerous to cats
Often these plants cause neurological, digestive, and cardiac disorders in animals. Enough to make you want to banish these plants from your home! To keep your cat away from toxic plants, use a natural repellent to dissuade him from approaching them.
Houseplants to avoid if you have a cat
Some indoor plants should be avoided and should not be ingested by the cat, such as:
- plants from the Araceae family: philodendron, dieffenbachia, anthurium, Xanthosoma, florist’s arum, alocasia, etc.
- amaryllis,
- ficus,
- the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) ,
- yuccas,
- the lily,
- poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), etc.
- Plants to avoid in the garden if you have a cat
- Certain plants and plants common in our gardens can be dangerous for
felines. Among the most common are:
- narcissi and daffodils,
- irises,
- tulip and hyacinth,
- lily of the valley and Solomon’s seal,
- cyclamen and primroses,
- oleander,
- datura and belladonna,
- the rhododendron,
- azaleas,
- holly and mistletoe, etc.
Cats are attracted to freshly turned earth: they feel the need to scratch it, to dig up plants, which has the gift of annoying gardeners! Whatever the reason for this ruthless act, the cat practices digging up and it is difficult to stop it.
However, gardeners have tricks like laying citrus peels, planting garlic, and onions, and burying balls of mothballs in the ground to prevent them from digging. These tricks are supposed to release unpleasant odors for our felines and act as repellents. It is also advisable to install a square of catnip in a corner of the garden to offer it away to purge itself and limit its intrusions into your favorite crops. However, it will be necessary to renew it regularly.
Dangerous houseplants
Many ornamental plants should not be ingested:
- plants from the Araceae family: philodendron, dieffenbachia, anthurium, Xanthosoma, florist’s arum ( Zantedeschia aethiopica ), alocasia, caladium, etc.
- amaryllis;
- focuses;
- spider plant ( Chlorophytum comosum);
- yuccas;
- the poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ), etc.
Watch out for certain foods
The plants used in the kitchen are a source of danger for the cat: onion, shallot, and garlic are causes of anemia because they cause the destruction of the animal’s red blood cells. The outcome is sometimes fatal if the dose ingested is substantial. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the animal does not lick a dish whose sauce contains these condiments.
Plants to avoid in the garden
Some very common plants in our gardens are dangerous for cats. Among the most common are:
Narcissi And Daffodils;
- irises ;
- the tulip and the hyacinth;
- lily of the valley and Solomon’s seal;
- cyclamen and primroses;
- oleander;
- datura and belladonna;
- the rhododendron;
- holly and mistletoe, etc.
- To elaborate on the subject:
The papyrus will delight your cat, in the garden or at home. Our article tells you how to plant and take cuttings.
Cats and vegetable gardens don’t always mix well… Here are 12 methods to keep them at bay.
Her favorites in the garden
It is possible to dedicate a space to the garden for your cat, by planting beneficial and attractive plants such as:
Aromatic Plants: Thyme, Sage, Lemon Balm, Etc. ;
- grasses with which it can play: the tufted tuft ( Deschampsia cespitosa ), the brize ( Briza media ), the grass with swabs ( Pennisetum villosum ), the stipe ( Stipa tenuifolia ), etc.
- Plants poisonous to cats
- You have to be very vigilant when you want to integrate a new plant into your interior or the garden. Indeed, some are toxic to cats and can cause serious harm or even death if ingested.
