Houseplant
Chewing Can Be Hazardous
Frisky
felines can wreak havoc with potted plants. Not only are they sometimes
tempted to use plant pots and potting soil as an alternative to
their litter boxes, they sometimes can't seem to resist treating
the foliage as a delectable snack food.
Cats that chew on houseplants are usually indoor cats with little access to grass or other greens. They may chew on plants as part of their normal investigation and play or may simply be craving vegetable matter in their diets. While most plants are harmless, several can be deadly. These include:
The
only way to absolutely guarantee protection for both your houseplants
and your cat is to deny your cat access to the plants. If your cat
craves vegetable matter in her diet, you can provide alternative
plants for her to munch, although she may still continue to want
to sample your prized greenery. Oat grass, catnip and catmint are
all safe and enjoyable for your cat to eat. Special "cat grass"
kits that include container, soil and seeds are available at Feeders
Supply.
Houseplants
can be made less attractive to your cat by spraying the leaves with
a commercial pet repellent such as Bitter Apple. The odor of mothballs
in the soil may keep your cat away as well. |