Why Do Cats Eat Plants? How To Protect Your Precious Kitty and Garden

Do you have a garden and a pet cat?

If so, you may be wondering why your cat likes to eat plants. It's actually quite common and natural for cats to nibble on plants.

Being cat owners, it is often very bizarre to see our cat's behavior at times! One such behavior is cats eating plants!

Cats eat plants or grass, although being primary carnivores, for a wide range of reasons. One reason why indoor cats nibble, chew, or eat grass and plants is that it is a behavior that they depict in the wild as well.

In doing so, it is believed that these felines get the fiber and nutrients that they need. In your home, your pet cat will sometimes chew on houseplants probably because they are bored or because they see the leaves of the plant fluttering around from the wind that is coming in through the window.

Another reason that cat experts and veterinarians strongly believe is that cats eat plant matter as they might be going through some gastrointestinal diseases. Food allergies, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, and grass-eating could be signs of underlying gastrointestinal diseases.

Cats and especially young ones, just like human babies, love putting everything they see in their mouths because they are curious about them and want to see how they taste. Plants are one such item!

Often cats eat, lick, nibble, or chew on plants simply because they like the taste of it! However, be aware of the fact that some plants and many houseplants are not exactly cat-friendly and can be very poisonous or toxic to their health if consumed.

If you notice any sign of discomfort in your pet cat, call a veterinarian right away or get them to your local veterinarian as soon as possible.

Do cats eat grass or plants?

Cats are curious creatures by nature and they do some weird things from time to time! They will not hesitate at all to put something in their mouth when they get curious about them.

But it is up to us as cat owners to supervise what they put in their mouths, in case they do end up consuming something that is poisonous or toxic.

Cats do like to eat both grass and plants and are cute animals that are easily attracted to greenery. In fact, it's quite common for them to nibble on leaves and stems, especially if they're feeling a bit sick, constipated, or need to vomit.

Your feline companion might munch on grass as it helps them expel intestinal parasites by increasing the muscle activity in its digestive tract.

Some people believe that eating plants helps cats digest their food better, but there's no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Another reason why cats might eat plants is that they're looking for something to supplement their diet. Therefore, always make sure to include all the necessary nutrients in your cat's diet that are responsible for your cat's health.

Housecats typically don't get enough nutrients from their regular food, so they may turn to plants in order to fill the nutritional gap. Some cats eat plants as a way of self-medicating.

If your cat has an upset stomach or is experiencing other health problems, he may chew on plants in an attempt to make himself feel better.

Boredom is a major factor for which cats end up eating or chewing on grass, plant matter, and houseplants. Cats love the feel and texture of plants and young vegetation too so this is why you'd see them near the pots of plants.

Which plants are safe to keep around cats?

Unlike dogs, who are notorious when it comes to curious licking or chewing, cats are pickier with choosing what they put in their mouth.

Houseplants and other plants are kept in our homes and gardens to uplift their appearance and at the same time act as a natural air purifier.

Some people rear plants as a hobby, looking after them and nourishing them as if they were their own pets. However, having animal pets like cats and dogs can lead to them deciding that your plants make good treats!

Of course, your cat eating or nibbling on grass blades or plant leaves is also very normal.

Although most plants are safe for cats to eat, there are a few that can be toxic. If you're worried about your cat eating plants in your garden, it's best to avoid planting any of the following: lilies, ivy, azaleas, rhododendrons, and mistletoe.

If you already have any of these plants in your garden or around your house, it is best to keep them out of reach from your cat.

Some outdoor and indoor plants that are safe for your cat to eat are spider plants, peperomia plants, prayer plants, cast iron plants, African violets, Christmas cacti, zebra plants, aster plants, crepe myrtle, and Boston ferns.

Of course, there are more plants to this plant list that are safe to be consumed by your cute kitty so always make sure to do your research before adding a plant to your home. Recently, there is a concept called cat grass that is trending in the pet world.

Cat grass is non-toxic, non-poisonous, and totally safe for gnawing or chewing.

Training Your Cat To Stay Away From Plants

There are so many clever tricks and methods you can utilize to effectively keep your pet kitty away from your beloved plants. If possible, keep your garden and outdoor plants, as well as your houseplants, out of reach of your cat.

This may mean putting them in hanging pots or elevated gardens that your cat can't jump up to.

Cats are excellent jumpers and will swing from wall to wall, trying to get the things they want. Therefore, make sure your plants are at a height that is difficult for them to reach.

The smell of citrus is something cats absolutely hate so if your cat is constantly going at your plant, spray a mix of lemon, orange, or lime juice on the leaves of your plant. You can also keep the peels of citrus fruits in the soil instead of throwing them away.

This should successfully keep them away.

If this doesn't work, the next thing you can try is vinegar. Since spraying vinegar directly on plants can harm them, it is best to keep vinegar-soaked cotton balls in the soil of your plant pot.

Placing a few sharp-edged rocks on top of the soil is another strategy that will keep your cat from going near your plant. Sprinkling a dash of cayenne pepper on the leaves of your plant also does a great job.

Once your cat gets a whiff of the scent, they'll think twice before deciding to come near your plant! Create wire coverings and keep them at the base of your plant to protect it from the adventurous paws of your furry companion.

Train your cat! Just like a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid eating grass and plants!

Teach your cat to stay away from your plants and redirect them to another behavioral pattern with the right incentive. When they get it right, reward them with a treat to positively reinforce that behavior.

You could also keep your cat away from your indoor plants by keeping your plants and your cat at a good distance away from each other. The best way to do this is by keeping a separate room for your plants, almost like a separate nursery.

This way, your cat won't have access to eating away your plants and your plants will continue to thrive and add to the beauty of your home.

With respect to garden and outdoor plants, you can convert your garden to a greenhouse nursery which has an entry that only you can access. If all the above-mentioned ways still don't work, just get some plants that your cat dislikes.

Some great examples are rosemary plants, scaredy-cat plants (as their name goes! ), and thorny plants like rose and cactus.

These house plants are not only not safe to touch but also have a strong scent or taste that your cat strongly dislikes and feels toxic! If your cat is eating plants that are poisonous, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Some common plants that can be poisonous to cats include lilies, ivy, and sago palms. Lillies are especially dangerous to your cat's health as they can cause kidney failure and in serious cases, death too.

Cats Eating Plants And Then Throwing Up

One of the most common questions people have about cats and plants is why do cats eat plants in the first place. In the wild, despite being carnivores, cats eat plant matter as a way to make up for all the missing nutrients that they feel are vital.

So, if your cat is eating grass or plants, it is not a sign of the cute animal being sick. Some people assume that cats eat plants or houseplants because they're hungry, but this isn't always the case.

In fact, there are a few different reasons why cats may nibble on the plants in your house. One possibility is that cats enjoy the taste of the plants in your house.

Another reason could be that cats eat houseplants and plants as a way to help with their digestion. When a cat eats plant matter, it helps to move food through its digestive system, acting as a laxative and also killing all the parasites that could be present in the stomach of your cat.

Finally, some experts believe that cats eat plants as a way to get essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. There is a however a belief that cats vomit or throw up after eating plant matter.

This is not common among felines and happens to a very small cat percentage. If you notice your cat vomiting, having diarrhea, or any sort of discomfort whenever it eats plants, call your vet immediately for quick advice or get them to a veterinary specialist to avoid serious health issues.