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Cats Eating Plants
First, your cat might just be looking for some fun. Leaves that dangle or flap in the
breeze can look a lot like a fluttering bird or cat toy, so they can be pretty exciting to
a cat who’s in a playful mood. Some cats might have learned that biting plants is a
sure-fire way to get your attention. Kittens and juveniles might just be looking for
something (anything!) to chew, just like human babies, who put everything into their
mouths and find comfort chewing on teething rings. Eating large amounts of grass or
leaves usually results in vomiting or can act as a laxative. No one knows if cats
sometimes purposely eat plants to solve gastrointestinal discomfort or to help bring
up hairballs, but those are possibilities. Green plants might also provide some missing
nutrients, but there’s currently no scientific evidence that plant eating satisfies any
nutritional deficiency.
Most of the time, plant eating is just a nuisance to pet parents, but it can be dangerous if a cat decides to eat a toxic
plant or a plant that’s been treated with pesticides. Many common house and garden plants are poisonous to cats.
Please see the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s website for a list of common poisonous plants.
WHAT TO DO
To effectively keep your cat from eating houseplants, focus on the following recommendations:
- Limit access to the plants.
- Make the plants unappealing.
- Provide alternative, safe outlets for your cat’s behavior.
Limit Access to the Plants
Cat-proof your house by moving forbidden or toxic plants out of reach. Cats, like small children, can’t be expected to
have very good judgment, so their guardians must ensure their environment is safe. Closing doors, placing plants on
top of inaccessible furniture or hanging plants from the ceiling are simple solutions.
Make the Plants Unappealing
Use a deterrent on or around non-toxic plants. One option is coating the leaves with something non-toxic that tastes
terrible. You can also spray plant leaves with water and then sprinkle them with cayenne pepper. Another possibility is
a motion-activated deterrent, such as a cat repellent device, which emits a short, harmless but startling
burst of air when a cat approaches. Odor-based repellents tend to be less effective,
and their toxicity must be carefully determined.
Provide Acceptable, Safe Alternatives
Grow pots of herbs or grass specifically for your cat to chew on. Widely available in
pet supply stores, these can be grown from seeds or purchased pre-sprouted in pots.
Live oat or wheat grass and catnip are very attractive to many cats. Place these
plants in easy-to-reach places where your cat spends a lot of time.
Young cats who explore or play by putting things in their mouths can be given pieces
of rawhide or dog chew toys. (Rubbing a little meat spread or fish oil on them may
spark your cat’s interest.) Also try feeding your cat chewy, dry or bulky cat food that
requires a lot of chewing. Consider providing food inside interactive feeding toys, like
the small-sized ball, or hiding many small meals around the house. That way, your
cat will have to “hunt” for her food, which will keep her busy with an acceptable, fun activity.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Do not scold, hit or punish your cat for eating plants. Doing any of these things is ineffective because your cat will
simply learn to eat plants when you’re not around. We NEVER recommend hitting an animal.
Related articles: 17 Plants that are Poison to Pets, Foods that Can Poison Pets