Posted by Nancy Sabatelli on Sep.10, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - Gemma Ivern

Many of us enjoy growing lush, beautiful blooming flowers and plants, either outdoors in gardens or indoors in pots. “Stop and smell the flowers,” as the saying goes. But in many cases, pets like to stop and smell (or eat!) the fruits of our labors. Depending on the plants, this can be dangerous or even deadly. Find out why pets eat grass, what plants are safe to grow around your pets and tips on growing plants actually designed for pets to nibble!

Grass Appeal

Many different theories abound as to why cats and dogs enjoy chomping on grass and plants. According to some experts, eating grass can help relieve tummy troubles and digestive upset. In many cases, pets eat grass when they don’t feel well to induce vomiting. They may just like the taste. Or, pets could simply be hungry, and the plants or grass are the closest “foods” available: so, pets eat them out of convenience. This is similar to a hungry human eating whatever happens to be readily available at eye level in the fridge or cabinet.

Another interesting theory suggests that grass-eating in cats derives from their wild ancestry, (big hunting cats like lions and tigers). We think of them as carnivores, stalking and searching for fresh meat. Big cats would catch and eat smaller animals, who usually ate grass and plants. So indirectly, grass and plants were part of big cats’ diets (1, 2, 3).

However, if it seems that your pet eats an excessive amount of grass or plants, or becomes ill, call your vet immediately, advises Dr. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, D.V.M., on the Web site, About (3).

What Plants Are Safe Around Pets?

When you’re growing a garden or potting plants, you have a multitude of beautiful choices that are safe around Fido and Fluffy! Here are some links that you may find helpful in picking out your plants:

• http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Plants/non_poisonous_plants.aspx This list, found at Pet Friendly House, was compiled by the Animal Poison Control Center (4). It lists non-toxic plants alphabetically, so you can check to see if your fave plant makes the approved, non-toxic list.
  
  
• http://cat-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/plants_that_are_safe_for_cats This article by Jennifer Copley on Suite 101 contains a list of herbs that are safe around felines (1). It’s a handy reference for those of you who like to grow your own herbs and seasonings.

If your pet has eaten a plant and you’re not sure if it’s poisonous, call your vet ASAP. Another option is the National Animal Poison Control Center hotline, available 24/7, at 1-888-426-4435 (1).

Growing Catnip and Cat Grass

Catnip. If you share your home with a kitty friend, you’ve probably seen him or her frolic and play with catnip toys – kicking, biting, chasing and inventing all kinds of other games. As a pet owner, this is hilarious to watch. (This author’s two cats love catnip). Did you know that you can easily grow your own catnip? It doesn’t need a great deal of care, and it can grow in many climates. Plus, it even acts as a deterrent against pests and insects. To release the enticing aroma, pinch off the leaves from the catnip plant and crush or rub them. You can put catnip leaves in an old sock to make your own catnip toys (1, 5).

Cat grass. This is usually “a combination of wheat, oats and rye” seeds, writes Virginia Wells for Pet Place (2). You can buy these seeds from pet stores, health food stores, pet catalogs or online. Simply plant them in a pot, water, put them somewhere warm and wait for them to grow. Once the grass is a couple inches tall, place the pot where your cat can nibble it. But, give the grass a break every so often: take it away from your cat so the grass has a chance to re-grow (2, 6). Whether you grow these plants in an outdoor garden or an indoor pot, it’s best to let your kitty enjoy them indoors. The outdoors poses too many hazards to cats’ safety: for example, cats could eat other plants tainted with harmful chemicals or run away. So, please keep your kitties indoors where they’re safe and bring the outdoor plants in to them!

Other Gardening Considerations

If you have a dog, keep the following gardening tips in mind (7):

• Never leave a dog outside unsupervised to roam: make sure you have a fence to keep him in the yard, or accompany him outdoors on a leash.
  
• Make sure your fence is tall enough so your dog can’t jump over it.
• Don’t leave an open gap below the fence or between posts through which your dog can squeeze.
• Inspect the fence for any sharp chain link edges or splintered wood.
• Opt for natural materials, like grass, bark or cedar chips rather than dirt in garden beds. It will make less of a mess on floors or carpets if your dog tracks it in on his paws.
• Seal all fertilizer, pesticide and weed killer containers tightly. Keep them out of pets’ reach.
• Finally, keep pets off your lawn after applying these products.

Sources

1. Copley, Jennifer. Plants That are Safe for Cats: Avoid Toxic Greenery and Flowers to Grow a Pet-Friendly Garden. (August 31, 2009). Suite 101. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://cat-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/plants_that_are_safe_for_cats

2. Wells, Virginia. Grass Roots: Why Your Cat Nibbles Grass. (n.d.). Pet Place. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://www.petplace.com/cats/grass-roots-why-your-cat-nibbles-grass/page1.aspx

3. Crosby, Janet Tobiassen. Why Does My Dog (Or Cat) Eat Grass? (2009). About. Retrieved September 9, 2009 from http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/nutritioninformation/f/FAQ_eatgrass.htm

4. Non Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats. (n.d.). The Pet Friendly House. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Plants/non_poisonous_plants.aspx

5. Syufy, Franny. How Does My Cat Garden Grow? (n.d.). About. Retrieved September 9, 2009 from http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/cat_garden.htm

6. Primovic, Debra. Growing Cat Grass Tips. (2009). Pet Place. Retrieved September 9, 2009 from http://www.petplace.com/cats/growing-cat-grass-tip/page1.aspx

7. Taylor, Lisa Hallett. Pet-Friendly Landscaping: Tips for Creating a Safe, Dog-Friendly Garden. (July 4, 2007). Suite 101. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://landscaping.suite101.com/article.cfm/petfriendly_landscaping

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