Cats and Plants

Hey, aren't you a meat eater?

But there are a host of reasons, from behavior to nutrition to safety, to talk about plant life with respect to your cat. Here's what I think you should know...

First of all, various plants that are toxic to cats can be found living in many homes. In fact, a good number of households may have more than one poisonous plant for cats. Despite this, some of these homes also have cats living there!

Second, any cats outdoors may encounter plants that are harmful to them as well. So it is very possible that your cat, whether an indoor or outdoor cat, may encounter a plant toxic to cats.

It is important, therefore, for you to be able to recognize a symptom of cat poisoning, or at least know which poisonous plants may be in the area that your cat frequents. When I say poisonous plant, I do mean a poisonous plant for cats, not people. Felines can have adverse reactions to plants that are perfectly harmless to humans.

Cats and Plants: Nutrition and Behavior

There are different reasons for adding the different types of plant matter to the food, including one of economy... plant matter can be used as a cheap filler to add bulk to the food.

But there are some nutrition and health reasons, too. Fiber, especially in hair ball formula or weight management foods is a common reason. Additional fiber (which is not found in meat) in the diet also can aid in relieving symptoms of certain digestive problems and conditions in your cat.

Cats will often seek out and consume plant matter on their own, much to the frustration of many cat owners. Many cat owners cannot understand (or control) their cat's strong desire to eat their house plants. Sometimes the behavior is just plant eating, others it's digging in the the dirt as well.

Note: If you have a cat that's a plant eater, I understand. One of my cats is a fiend when it comes to eating plants! If she even thinks there's a plant or flowers in the house, there she is. She almost always gives back what she eats, too!

Commercial cat grasses are sold for just this reason. You can grow a small, cat safe garden in your home. Your cat can eat the grass and/or dig in the dirt to satisfy her craving and no one gets hurt.

Answers from experts as to exactly why cats want to eat grass (or other plants) are given from "unknown" to "your cat may need to vomit" to "boredom." Exactly why your cat may need to vomit is obviously a secret known only to your cat. Perhaps a hair ball that won't come up?

Cats and Plants: Poisonous Plant for Cat List

I've also included a number of resources below that you can use...

When Cats and Plants Don't Mix: Allergies and Toxins

Many plants can cause a mild allergic reaction or gastric upset in cats, which may include vomiting. In fact, almost any raw plant matter ingested by your cat can cause vomiting, as well as depression and disorientation.

Some poisonous plants, however, can result in death if your cat consumes it. In some cases these are very common household plants!

Otherwise healthy cats and plants (that may be perfectly harmless to humans) can combine for severe reactions, including death. In some cases, there are no initial symptoms.

For example, sometimes just chewing on the leaves of a plant can cause kidney failure within a few days. Just remember that in general, cats and plants don't mix. Whether it is a mild allergic reaction, or a severe health issue, cats and plants should normally be separated.

For more information, including specific plants and reactions, take a look at my suggested reading below.

Suggested Reading: Cats and Plants

For details, see the following web pages for more information...

Poisonous Plants and Pets Don't Mix

Plants and Cats

Hazardous Plants for Cats

Common Poisonous Plants - HSUS