5 Plants for your cat to munch on
If you’re here, it means that you have or soon will have little fluffy plant munchers in your home. Many plants are toxic or harmful to plants, and you yourself have lots of beautiful plants that are harmless to your cat but that they’re still not supposed to eat. Because it’s your luscious green beauty, duh!
One excellent way to keep your cat happy and away from your prettiest plants is to give them something healthy and tasty to munch on.
Checking for toxicity
A short tip before you go out shopping and buy all the plants, many plants are toxic to cats. Some are mildly toxic and will make your cat throw up or have diarrhoea, but some plants are toxic enough to seriously injure your cat even to the point of death.
There is a website that lists all plants that are known to be toxic to cats. Make sure to double check for any plant in your house.
We will post a more in-depth article about this later, but for now, make sure to check out the ASPCA.
ASPCA – The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Catnip
Catnip is infamous for making cats go crazy. If your cat loves catnip, he or she loves catnip. It’s totally safe and healthy for cats to eat. It’s commonly found in treats and toys, but you can definitely grow or keep some catnip yourself.
Catnip is part of the mint family, and is also well-known for attracting butterflies, making them great additions to any garden. For the tea lovers out there, it’s also great for brewing a relaxing tea.
Sci-show on YouTube has a great video about what’s up with cats going absolutely crazy for catnip. Check it out if you’re interested in the evolution behind this
Cat grass
Cat grass is any grass that is safe for cats to eat. Grass is by far the easiest and most obvious choice for anyone who wants something for their cats to chew on. It grows fast, it requires almost no maintenance, it costs almost nothing, it’s healthy, and it’s safe!
Unfortunately, the first time I bought cat grass specifically for cats, my cats didn’t care for it whatsoever. Some cats won’t care for a plant. Just like humans, cats can be very picky about what the like or don’t like.
Luckily, there are many types of grass to choose from and experiment with.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an excellent choice for both cat and owner. It has a pleasant smell, you can use it for cooking, your cats will nibble on it, it’s easy to grow and keep and it’s cheap! Love it!
While lemongrass itself isn’t toxic to cats in the amounts they’ll eat it, make sure not to ever feed cats lemongrass essential oils since those definitely are toxic to cats. Beware!
Oat grass
It’s grass.
Kitchen herbs
Just like humans, cats love some herbs! Basil, Rosemary, Parsil. They’re simple to grow, can be used for cooking and as usual, cats love them!
Be very very careful to cross-reference your favourite herbs with the previously mentioned ASPCA.
For instance, the common kitchen herb chives are very toxic to cats.
Cat Thyme — Teucrium Marum
If you thought cats go crazy for catnip, wait till you give them cat thyme! To give you an idea about what this plant does to your fluffy friend, this plant is also commonly known as cat crack.
This plant is native to Spain, and therefore is a bit harder to maintain outside of mediterranean climates. You might still be able to grow it indoors however.
And lots more
There are so many plants and types of plants that are perfect for many cats. Ask around at your vet, ask your local florist what they know about cat-friendly plants, and most importantly ask around what your family and friends are using!
We’ll post more cat-friendly plants in the future, as well as guides on how to recognise plants that are harmful or toxic to plants! Stay tuned.