Plants Poisonous to Cats
Appetite
Although they are obligate carnivores, cats normally eat green plants for reasons still unknown. Cats will eat or lick sweet pepper plants, including the leaves and fruit, but it all depends on the tastes of the individual cat.
Warning
Ornamental pepper plants, also called the Jerusalem cherry or Solanum psuedocapsicum, are toxic to cats, dogs and horses, warns the ASPCA. Ornamental pepper plants closely resemble one variety of sweet pepper plant known as the cherry pick hybrid.
Repellents
Crushed pepper fruits, hot peppers and cayenne pepper act as temporary cat repellents, notes University of Vermont Professor Leonard Perry. Blend pepper so it can be sprayed onto plants to make them taste bad to the cat. Reapply sprays after rain.
- Sweet pepper plants and their fruit are not toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's list of poisonous plants for cats.
- Ornamental pepper plants, also called the Jerusalem cherry or Solanum psuedocapsicum, are toxic to cats, dogs and horses, warns the ASPCA.
Symptoms
Cats may vomit after eating any number of plant varieties. Cats can pass undigested plant pieces in their stool. Call a veterinarian immediately if a cat begins to experience seizures or breathing problems.
The shamrock plant (Oxalis spp.) can be toxic to cats. Oxalates in the plant are absorbed by the cat's gastrointestinal system, and travel to the kidneys. In the kidneys, oxalic acid combines with calcium, forming calcium oxalate crystals, according to Centennial Valley Animal Hospital. This can cause kidney damage.
- Cats may vomit after eating any number of plant varieties.
- Cats can pass undigested plant pieces in their stool.
African Violet
The African violet is a popular indoor plant and is also non-poisonous for cats. Like the cat, the African violet prefers full sun. To keep your cat from viewing an African violet as a free lunch, do not place the plant in or near any of the cat's favorite patches of sunlight.
Chicks and Hens
Chicks and hens is a small succulent that grows well in household planters and does not require much water. Although they prefer full sun, they will grow in light shade. Most varieties of chicks and hens have sharp, tough leaves that cats usually find unappealing.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus, so named because it blooms in late December, is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that is non-poisonous to cats. It also makes a popular holiday gift. Like chicks-and-hens, Christmas cactus has tough leaves and small spines that discourage cats from chewing on it.
- The African violet is a popular indoor plant and is also non-poisonous for cats.
- Chicks and hens is a small succulent that grows well in household planters and does not require much water.
Wax Begonia
Wax begonias are safe for cats to eat. They come in a wide variety of colors. Like the African violet, the wax begonia prefers full sun.
Spider Plant
The popular spider plant is harmless to an inquisitive cat. It's also well-suited to indoor growing, as it thrives in indirect light and can stand long periods between watering. Hang spider plants from the ceiling to freshen up your decor and ward off hungry felines.
Using clippers or scissors, cut circles out of chicken wire, about 8 inches to a foot in diameter, depending on how big the bulb hole is.
- Wax begonias are safe for cats to eat.
- Using clippers or scissors, cut circles out of chicken wire, about 8 inches to a foot in diameter, depending on how big the bulb hole is.
Position the chicken wire over the spot where you have planted your bulbs and gently nudge down into the dirt with your fingers, pressing it to a level fit.
Stake down the circles with small metal garden stakes and cover lightly with a thin layer of dirt. The chicken wire has enough room for the bulbs to send stalks up into the sunlight, but not enough for kitty to do some serious digging. Cats don't like to walk on chicken wire, so your cat will naturally avoid the area.
Tip
Make sure you get the wide gauge chicken wire, with openings of at least 1 inch.
As an alternative, you can buy commercially available cat repellent like a powder called Shake-Away, which contains the scent of urine from predators cats fear, such as the coyote and the fox. Sprinkle liberally around your bulbs and you should be set.
Warning
Remove chicken wire once the bulbs have sprouted and the plant is 2 or 3 inches tall.
Fill a plastic spray bottle with water. Every time your cat goes near your houseplant, mist it with a light spray of water. Be sure to do it every time, so that your cat gets the hint. Eventually, the cat will associate the houseplant with getting misted.
- Position the chicken wire over the spot where you have planted your bulbs and gently nudge down into the dirt with your fingers, pressing it to a level fit.
- Cats don't like to walk on chicken wire, so your cat will naturally avoid the area.
Distract your cat. Buy grass that is made for cats, or grow your own. Also try setting out scratching boards that have catnip inside of them. If your cat's attention can be distracted elsewhere, he may leave your houseplants alone.
Hang your plants somewhere high where your cats can't reach them. Purchase hanging plants and hang them from your ceiling. Be sure the plants don't have dangling foliage, which will only entice your cat more.
- Buy grass that is made for cats, or grow your own.
- Hang your plants somewhere high where your cats can't reach them.
Mist the plant with something that your cat will not like the taste or smell of. Mist it will watered-down black or cayenne pepper. Try citrus or minty scents. If the plant has an unattractive scent or taste, the cat will leave it alone.
Avoid handling cat waste, even with garden gloves, if possible. Use a small shovel, disposable plastic bag, or other implement to pick it up.
Add the cat waste to the center of a freshly turned compost pile.
- Mist the plant with something that your cat will not like the taste or smell of.
- Use a small shovel, disposable plastic bag, or other implement to pick it up.
Insert a compost thermometer into the pile. The cat manure will be sterilized when the temperature of the compost heap exceeds 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 days.
Turn and add to your compost pile as usual once the cat feces is sterilized. The humus is ready for use when it is dark brown and crumbly like rich garden soil. The amount of time that this will take largely depends on the size of your compost pile and its contents.
Tip
Use a compost thermometer to gauge the internal temperature of your compost pile before you add cat waste (wait at least 24 hours if you have just turned it). If the internal temperature does not reach or exceed 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not suitable for sterilizing cat waste. Before you compost cat waste in a cooler pile, you must first treat the cat waste with a chemical sterilizer before adding it to your compost pile.
Warning
Toxoplasmosis is transferred when you touch your mouth when your hands are infected. The disease can cause abortion and fetal malformation in pregnant women.
Pour boiling water over the weeds in your lawn that you wish to kill. The water will not injure your cat in any way, and will protect it from chemical weed killers.
- Insert a compost thermometer into the pile.
- Turn and add to your compost pile as usual once the cat feces is sterilized.
Combine 1 qt. vinegar and 1/2 cup lemon juice in an empty spray bottle to create an organic weed killer that is safe to use around cats. Spray the weeds with this solution instead of a chemical herbicide.
Call your cat indoors before you use a chemical weed killer. This is the only way to keep your cat safe if you go the herbicide route. Keep your cat indoors for the length of time specified on the herbicide container. Usually, this is until the weed killer has dried, or until you have watered your lawn. Walk your cat on a leash in a park until your yard is safe for your cat to play in again.
- vinegar and 1/2 cup lemon juice in an empty spray bottle to create an organic weed killer that is safe to use around cats.
Store leftover herbicides in a locked garage or shed. Place them on the top shelf in case your cat gets into the garage or shed.
Tip
Use a 9-percent vinegar (the kind used for pickling) if 5-percent (household) vinegar isn't working.
Warning
A cat poisoned by weed killer may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and even death. If you think your cat has ingested any of this poison, contact your vet right away.
