What cats want
Cats like a garden with places to hide and things to
climb up on. They enjoy lying in sunny spots and exploring
the undergrowth. A very modern, bland garden with nowhere to hide
is not cat heaven – so get creative!
Poisonous plants
Most of the plants that are harmful to cats taste
bad, and cats are unlikely to eat enough of them to cause
permanent damage. Because of this, plant poisonings are
rare with cats, usually occurring when cats are kept
indoors and do not have access to grass or other herbs to nibble.
Needles or seeds that have become entangled in their coat can
sometimes be accidentally ingested while grooming.
There are a few garden plants that are poisonous to cats, the
most common ones being Azaleas, Chrysanthemums, Lilies, Daffodils,
Rhododendrons and Snowdrops. Some, such as Euphorbia, can also
cause irritation if chewed. The Feline Advisory
Bureau have a full list of poisonous plants.
Danger in the garden
More dangerous than most plants are chemicals stored or
used in sheds or around the garden, which cats somehow
ingest. Cats are sensible enough not to lick or eat them directly,
but if they walk through them or get them on their coats, cats are
almost compelled to clean themselves up and will take in poisonous
substances in this way. Be careful to store garden weedkillers,
pesticides, wood preservatives or white spirit safely and clean up
all spillages carefully. Likewise, some slug killers contain
metaldehyde, any amount of which can be toxic for a cat.
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Cat favourites
Cats love Nepeta Cataria – also known as catnip
or catmint – which appears to act like a (harmless) drug for them.
About 80% of cats are affected, and rub and roll around the floor,
seemingly enjoying the sensation.
A tip though – grow a number of Nepeta plants around the garden
rather than just one, and place an upturned hanging basket over the
top as protection when they come up through the earth in the
spring. If not, the cat will rub on the emerging shoots and the
plant will never quite make it (I speak from experience!).
Sun worshipping
Cats love the sun and will follow it around the
garden, choosing warm stones, benches or even the
greenhouse to soak up the rays. Owners of cats with white ears or
noses, or thin hair in these areas should be aware that these cats
can be susceptible to skin damage on these pale areas – in serious
cases, the skin can become cancerous. Using a child’s sunblock
during really sunny days can help, as can keeping cats inside
during the hottest part of the day to reduce the risk.
Enjoy your cat and your garden – they make a great
combination!
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