Do you like gardening? Plants can really make any space look attractive and welcoming. They also help filter the air. If you have a cat, why not make your furry pal a kitty garden? This will allow Fluffy to get a taste of outdoors, without exposing her to the dangers posed by cars, weather, predators, and other hazards. Read on as a local Ellicott City, MD vet offers some tips on creating a kitty garden.

Safe Plants

Many plants are safe for our feline buddies. Some good options are Boston ferns, Money tree plants, Rubber trees, African violets, and Cast Iron plants. Several palms, such as Areca palms, Ponytail palms, and Bamboo palms are also safe. Spider plants are another suitable choice. In fact, kitties love to nibble on them! Certain types of orchids are also fine.

Herbs

Certain herbs are also safe for kitties. Some things you can grow for Fluffy include lavender, peppermint, basil, rosemary and, of course, catnip. However, never put essential oils on your cat. This can be very dangerous! Ask your vet for more information.

Cat Grass

Want to score some extra purrs? Pick up a cheap litterbox, and then add potting soil and wheatgrass seeds. In a few weeks, your feline friend will have a living grass mat to look adorable on.

Tips

When arranging your kitty garden, keep in mind that Fluffy will likely want to sniff and explore, well, pretty much everything. Avoid placing plants in small pots that would be easy for your curious pet to knock over. To make the space more fun for your furball, incorporate lots of toys and some kitty furniture. Even plain cardboard boxes will help bring on the purr!

Unsafe Plants

Many popular plants are toxic to our feline pals. Some plants that are not safe for cats include tulips, daffodils, rhododendrons, lilies, agave, Sago palms, and aloe. Azalea, peonies, juniper, and oleanders are also on the no-no list. There are many more. You can find a complete list of both safe and unsafe plants online at the ASPCA website. Keep in mind that some plants may be unsafe not because of toxicity, but because of sharp thorns or leaves.

Do you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Please reach out to us, your local Ellicott City, MD pet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!