Cats and Plants

With Summer coming to an end, I've been looking into adding some life and greenery to my home. Two concerns starting out were, "You have never had plants before, you will definitely kill them." and even more so "How do I keep my cats safe?" There are quite a few toxic plants out there. The first step in picking the right plants for your home is researching which are safe and which should be avoided. Well known for their toxicity Lily plants and Poinsettia should be avoided as well as most Ferns and Perennials. If you think your pet may have ingested any part of these plants please contact your veterinary hospital. 

Signs of toxic ingestion include: -Swelling, redness, itchiness around the eyes face and mouth -Difficulty breathing, drooling or difficulty swallowing -Vomiting or diarrhea -Excessive drinking and urinating -Weakness or Lethargy My advice is to do research before bringing flowers into the home. The Animal Poison Control (ASPCA) website has a detailed list of plants that are toxic to cats. Don't be discouraged though! There are beautiful flowers that are completely safe. The one I started out with is a Bromeliad, a unique colorful plant that is nontoxic. (Also, I only need to water it once a week, so it might just survive!) Others include Echeveria Lola, the Boston Fern and the Spider Plant. 

Sometimes your cat doesn't want you to love anything but themselves and they may try to eat the safe plants anyway. Even safe plants may cause stomach upsets, so contact your veterinary clinic if you suspect your cat has ingested anything. The next step is Plant Placement. With the most curious and adventurous of felines, it's almost impossible to leave anything out or lying around in your home. Not to mention the cleanup after that favorite tree you have in your living room gets toppled over, the pot cracks, the soil spills out and your cat plays in that soil spreading it to every inch of your apartment... Instead! Try hanging plants from the ceiling or creating a plant collage across your wall. These are great alternatives, and can be easy and affordable.

Chantal F, VT