Cats are very curious animals. Seriously. He's very curious since he started walking.From the moment your baby starts walking (around two and a half to three weeks old), they'll want to explore everything: furniture, curtains, flowerpots, and of course, plants. But you have to be careful: once they learn to jump, they might develop a habit of jumping. chewing plant leaves…and some of them can be dangerous for him.
Besides curiosity, many cats They eat plants to purge themselvesregurgitate hairballs or simply because they find it a pleasant sensory experience. The problem arises when these plants are delicate or, worse yet, They are part of the list of plants toxic to catsas they could cause anything from digestive disorders to kidney failure.
So, if you are wondering how to stop my cat from eating plants, below I will offer you several tips that will be very useful to achieve your goalCombining education, environmental enrichment, safe alternatives, and some practical tips to protect your home and care for your feline's health.
Anticipate
Watch it and, When you see him getting too close to a plant, say a firm "NO" (but without shouting). Immediately afterward, call him and offer him a cat treat. You'll have to repeat this many times, but little by little he'll understand that he can't go near the plants. This association of Correct calmly and redirect with a reward It is much more effective than punishment.
Remember that cats are not like dogs: They do not respond well to shouting or physical punishment.If we raise our voices or scare it, all we'll achieve is making it afraid of us, but when we're not around it will keep trying to get near the plants. The key is repetition, patience, and offering it interesting alternatives that compete with the appeal of your flowerpots.
It's also important to observe when your pet is most attracted to plants: when it's bored, when it's hungry, when it's been alone for a long time… This way you can anticipate their behavior with play sessions, food or cuddles before it seeks entertainment in the flowerpots.
Offer cat grass as a safe alternative
One of the best strategies is to give the cat a plant that can be bitten without riskCat grass (mixtures of grasses such as wheat, oats, barley, or rye) and catmint are very safe options that allow natural purge and entertainment.
- Helps expel hairballs accumulated in the stomach.
- Improves intestinal transit thanks to its fiber content.
- It satisfies the instinct to chew leaves without endangering the animal.
- It reduces interest in other decorative plants of the house.
Place the pot of cat grass in a bright location, out of direct sunlight, and keep the soil slightly moist, but not waterlogged. This is recommended. renew the grass frequently to keep it fresh and appealing; many caregivers change it every one or two weeks, depending on how much the cat uses it.
If your cat is very greedy, you can offer it grass for a few minutes a day and then move it to a higher place to prevent it from devouring it all at once. You can also cut some fresh sprigs and add them to your bowl to better control the amount.
Use repellants
Homemade
Of course, you can not be 24 hours pending the cat. What to do when you are away? For that, you have to make use of homemade repellants such as citrus peel (orange, lemon, tangerine, etc.), or a cotton wool soaked in clove oil placed in the soil of plants. Many cats detest these smells and tend to stay away.
Some caregivers also try aluminum foil on the ground or with sticks stuck into the substrate, creating a kind of barrier so the cat can't lie down in the pot. However, not all cats react the same way: some They are unfazed by citrus fruits or aluminum, so you'll have to see what works best in your specific case.
Whatever home method you use, make sure it is safe for the animal and for the plantAvoid irritating products or homemade mixtures with substances that could be toxic if licked.
Chemicals (for urgent cases)
When household repellants do not work, or do not work as effectively as they should, or when there is a risk of problems, what you have to do is use chemical repellants for cats. We can get them in animal products stores, hereThese products often have unpleasant smells for cats but are safe if used correctly.
Very important: NEVER use on the cat (this is common sense, but just in case it is better to write it down) nor about the plantsSpray either in the pot (on the sides) or at a distance of about five centimeters from the plants, avoiding directly wetting the soil if the product is not indicated for this.
Always read the manufacturer's instructions, and if your cat is particularly sensitive or has respiratory problems, consult your veterinarian first. Chemical repellents should be a punctual help, not the only strategy, and always combined with education, cat grass and environmental enrichment.
Avoid having toxic plants
If you don't want to have problems, the ideal is not to have a single toxic plant. Here You have a list of plants that are dangerous for cats. If your feline friend chews on a leaf or plays with a flower, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, neurological problems, or kidney issues.
Before bringing a new plant into your home, take a few minutes to check if it is Suitable for living with catsIf you already have a plant collection, check the names of each plant individually and cross-reference that information with the list of toxic plants. If in doubt, it's best to... remove the plant or place it in a completely inaccessible area for the cat.
You can also choose to create a small green corner with pet friendly plantsThat is, non-toxic species for pets, and reserve another area (for example, an enclosed balcony or a room where the cat does not enter) for those more delicate or potentially dangerous plants.
Avoid direct access to decorative plants
Although cats are excellent jumpers, it's possible to make it harder for them to access plants. Simply placing them on a slightly higher shelf is usually not enough, but you can take measures such as:
- Use tall shelves with no furniture nearby that serve as a ladder.
- Hang the plants in ceiling or wall planters out of reach.
- Place some flowerpots in rooms the cat cannot enter.
- Creating physical aesthetic barriers, such as decorative grids or meshes around the most delicate plants.
If you share a home and the plants aren't yours, talk to the other people about it. find a safe place of consensusSometimes changing a plant's location or protecting a pot with a light structure can prevent many conflicts in cohabitation.
Spend more time with your cat and reduce boredom
Many cats can develop destructive behaviors due to boredom or to get attentionBiting leaves, knocking over flowerpots, or digging in the soil can be a form of play, a way to release pent-up energy, or an attempt to get you to look at what it's doing.
Dedicate quality time to it every day with Interactive toys, fishing rods, balls, or simulated hunting games This greatly reduces the likelihood of them wasting energy on the plants. Providing tall scratching posts, shelves to climb on, and observation points near windows is also helpful.
Some experts recommend that cats have feline company When they spend many hours alone, it's best to introduce them properly and ensure both animals are compatible. Two cats can entertain each other, which reduces the likelihood of one of them turning the flowerpots into their own personal playground.
Brush your cat daily
Don't forget that it may be biting the plants to purge and avoid hairballs in their stomach, which is why it's important to minimize the amount of hair they ingest. A good daily brushing will help. improve your intestinal transit And if it's not bothering you, it's likely you won't look for any plants.
It is essential that you choose a special comb for cats And choose one that suits your cat's coat type (short, medium, long) and skin sensitivity. Not all combs are suitable for cats, and some can be uncomfortable if they pull too much on the fur.
If you combine brushing with cat grass and a good quality diet, your feline will have far less need to resort to the leaves of your plants to relieve digestive discomfort.
Teach him that it's not okay to bite the plants
Cat lovers like their cats to be independent and free; that is, they don't usually obey us. Even so, in certain situations we must teach them that they are doing something wrong. inappropriate and dangerous behaviorespecially if there are toxic plants nearby.
You don't need to shout, you can simply say a “No” clear and calm Use this as a warning when you see him approaching the pot. Then, redirect him to a toy, a scratching post, or his catnip, and reward him when he shows interest in that alternative.
They will associate what you mean with what they have done, but remember that every cat is different And it cannot be guaranteed to work the same way in every case. It's a learning process that will take time, so consistency and coherence in your responses are essential.
With patience, safe alternatives like cat grass, appropriate repellents, an enriched environment, and the removal of toxic plants, the coexistence between your feline and your small indoor garden can be very harmonious and pleasant for everyone.
I hope it has been useful to you