It's not a diet staple, but plant ingestion helps digestion system function and to move fur balls through the digestion system.
Wild felines regularly ingest plants, and it seems to be a behavior that our domestic cats have inherited from their ancestors. Many cats eat plants because they enjoy the taste. Others consume plants because they are bored, stressed, or attracted by the movement of the plants.
Utilize chili powder. If you have a plant in your home that isn't toxic but your cat never seems to leave it alone, a good way to keep him or her away is by sprinkling chili powder on the leaves. Lightly dust the plant with the spice and you'll soon notice that your cat will avoid it altogether.
Cats are very territorial creatures that like to have a place to call their own; some cats may even scratch on the bark or stalks of plants as a way to mark their territory (the same reason they may scratch on your furniture).
Since cats do not naturally eat plants, the very act itself may be a sign of anxiety or stress. When cats feel anxious or stressed, they may exhibit bouts of stress eating as a way to relieve themselves. It just so happened that plants are one of the easiest to munch on due to your cats' ease of access to your garden.
Many, many common houseplants and garden plants are toxic to cats. If you have houseplants, it's safest to keep them away from where your cats can get to them.
“Some people believe that cats will eat plants instinctively if the pet is feeling in ill,” Pressly says. “They believe that it helps the pets to vomit and feel better. But there are some plants that are very toxic to pets and there would be a concern if ingested. The cat would need medical care.”
Spray Plants with Diluted Lemon Juice
(It's also perfectly safe for plants.) But if you don't want to spray down your plant, "try putting orange and lemon peels in the pot with the plant," says Fulcher, because their scent can also keep them away.
Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
While all of the plants listed above are toxic to cats, perhaps the most dangerous is the lily. Lilies can cause kidney failure in cats who come in contact with the flower's pollen, then ingest the pollen during grooming.
Vinegar. The smell of vinegar is also a great deterrent for cats. Vinegar is too acidic to spray directly on the plant, but try cleaning the ceramic pot with a vinegar solution every few weeks to keep curious pets at bay.
The acetic acid present in vinegar is great for controlling powdery mildew. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a gallon of water, shake and spray on the affected area of the plant.
A very common houseplant, sago palm is severely toxic to cats if ingested. "All parts of the plant are toxic, but the seeds are the most potent," says Dr. Fox. Signs your cat has consumed sago palm typically begin as gastrointestinal, which includes vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.
First, try classic positive and negative reinforcement training. When you notice your pooch approaching one of your plants, firmly shout “no” to get their attention. If your dog starts to back away from the plant, immediately praise them with a kind tone, some treats, or even their favorite toy.
Three compounds in a lemon, limonene, linalool and psoralen, are toxic, if not deadly for your cat. Limonene is a terpene that leads to the citrus scent of lemons. D-limonene has been used in dog shampoos and fragrances. The small amount present in dog products is safe for most sizes of dogs.
According to the study done at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, China, lemon juice promotes cell division growth, stimulates the activity of some enzymes, and helps nutrients to transport to the parts of the plant more easily.
It could be the texture of the plant that they enjoy. It's also a possibility your cat has an upset stomach and instinctually is trying to get some fiber to help things move along in their gastrointestinal tract. Another school of thought is that the tickling nature of the grass in their throat causes them to vomit.
One of the reasons that cats find comfort in extra small spaces is because of instinct. They can hide from predators and feel safer in a flowerpot than on a large couch or bed. It feels good knowing that they have walls around them and can touch each of those walls with their bodies.
Strong spicy aromas like pepper, curry, and cinnamon also tend to ward off cats. However, we do not recommend using cayenne pepper or other pepper flakes to keep cats out of the garden, as this could potentially harm them. Cinnamon is non-toxic to cats.
Good for them! Grass benefits even well-fed cats. Grass provides roughage that aids digestion and elimination. Cats that eat grass routinely may have more regular gastrointestinal tracts, fewer hair balls, and less constipation.
They can't digest plant material well, and they require essential nutrients that only meat can provide to them. They aren't adapted to digesting a plant-based diet, and meat absolutely needs to be on the table when you are feeding a cat.
Even though cats are obligate carnivores (meaning they only eat meat) some researchers suggest that eating plant material may provide trace elements or vitamins that may be missing in their diet. Another possibility is that your cat is one of those felines who thinks she is starving all the time!