My partner and I are planning to adopt a cat in a few months, but I'm worried about my collection of house plants, particularly my philodendrons, which are toxic to cats. While I know it takes a lot for a cat to get seriously ill, I want to take precautions. I'm considering hanging as many plants as I can, especially since two rooms have drop ceilings, and I'll be making macrame hangers. However, I have some plants that can't be hung, like my 7-foot monstera and an 8-inch dracaena. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has dealt with similar situations. How did you manage the cat-plant dynamics? What cat-safe plants do you recommend, and what were your experiences when your cat met your houseplants? Thanks for your help!
2 Answers
If you’re getting a kitten, you have a great opportunity to train them while they’re young! When I got my cat, I didn’t want to get rid of my plants, so I used a spray bottle to deter him whenever he got too interested. Surprisingly, he mostly left them alone after that, except for my monstera, which he adores. I put some tin foil around its base to keep him away, and it worked! Don't worry about the spraying ruining your bond; my cat still loves me like crazy!
Check out this resource on poisonous house plants for cats. It lists plants that are considered "toxic" but may not necessarily be harmful. Like, spider plants are often labeled as toxic, but no cat will have serious issues with them. Avoid plants like lilies, which are very dangerous, but for most other plants, just keep an eye on your cat’s behavior around them!
Totally agree! It's good to verify what plants may really be harmful.