Fluffy is eating my plants!

Written by Administrator | 01 June 2005

A very common problem of pet owners who own houseplants, is that the pet finds the houseplants rather tasty. There is concern about how harmful this is, and what can be done about it. Phytophagia, or plant eating, is considered a normal pet behavior in many cases. It’s common for an animal to eat plant material if it feels nauseated, and this may or may not be something to be concerned with. Report to your veterinarian if your pet is eating plants excessively, is vomiting after ingestion, or there are other changes in your pet. Plant chewing can be an indicator that your pet needs more fiber. It can also be a behavioral problem. The first step in ensuring your pet’s safety is to buy plants which are not considered toxic. Some common houseplants which are not poisonous include:  Ferns, indoor palms, Sansevieria (Mother-in-law’s tongue) and Spider plants. Most garden centers can help you pick pet-friendly plants. It’s also a good idea to wash plants when you bring them home. One suggestion to keep your pets out of plants, toxic or not, is to keep them out of reach. Hang them, or put them on an elevated surface. Keep branches well trimmed. These are good guidelines if you have children, as well. If you already have toxic plants, or you are unable to move them, there are several other things you can do. You can distract cats from plants by having a catnip plant. Dogs can be distracted with chew toys, or rawhide bones. Some animals can even be trained to stay out of your plants. There are also many repellents you can use. The simplest are natural ones, which you may already have around the house. Citrus peelings and pinecones may deter sensitive noses. You can also mix water with things like cayenne pepper (or Tabasco), lemon juice, garlic powder, vinegar, or black pepper, and spray it onto the leaves. These also deter insect infestations. There are also products available in pet stores, such as Ssscat! and Bitter Apple.