Planting A Kitty Garden

Do you keep your cat indoors? If so, that’s great. Kitties are very small and vulnerable, and just really aren’t safe outdoors. As soon as Fluffy sets her paws outside the door, she is exposed to dangers posed by cars, weather, and other hazards. However, our feline pals do like to sniff plants, and peek out from behind green leaves. Why not make your kitty an indoor garden? A Hyattsville, MD vet offers some tips on how to do that in this article.

Be sure to only include plants that you know are safe for Fluffy. You can find a complete list of both toxic and non-toxic plants online at the ASPCA website here . Some of the common ones that are poisonous to pets include Sago palms, tulips, lilies, and azaleas.

Many herbs are safe for pets. You’ll also get to have some fresh herbs for cooking! Parsley, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and valerian are all fine. Mint and lemongrass are safe too. Wheat grass, or cat grass, is another good choice. Of course, you’ll also need to include some catnip!

Flowers add a pretty pop of color to any room. Zinnias, marigolds, African violets, and Johnny jump-ups are all good options. Many types of orchids are also safe. For plants, you can add Spider plants, Boston ferns, Cast Iron plants, and others.

Potted trees add a fresh, elegant look to any home. Rubber tree plants are a good option. Although sago palms are unsafe, many other types of palms, such as Areca palms, Neanthebellas, and Ponytail palms, are fine.

This one is bound to get Fluffy’s motor going! Plant some cat grass seeds in a shallow storage tote or litterbox. Place it in a sunny spot, and let it grow for a few weeks. It will form a thick ‘mat’ for your feline buddy to lounge around on.

Our feline friends are both frisky and curious, and have a habit of getting into mischief. Fluffy could easily knock smaller plant pots over, or pull them down onto herself. Keep this in mind when setting up Fluffy’s garden. Put heavy pots on the floor or on sturdy tables, where your kitty can’t knock them off.

Do you have any questions about your cat’s health or care? Please call us, your Hyattsville, MD vet clinic, anytime.