Creating a cat-safe oasis: A landscaping and planting guide 

    

As spring arrives, you may be looking to spruce up your backyard. Your cat may have different ideas when stopping to sniff the flowers, so you’ll want to design a cat-friendly yard and choose plants that won't harm your companion. 

 

1. Sleek but smooth! Opt for blunt or smooth lawn edging like plastic, bricks or poured concrete to prevent cut paws.
2. Keep the plants off-limits. Fence off your veggie garden to keep your cat away from toxic plants like onions, chives and rhubarb or prickly fruit and veg like raspberries or thorny chayotes. Secure ornamental plants out of your cat’s reach by placing them in hanging baskets with extension hangers.
3. Made in the shade! Provide shade with awnings or umbrellas to prevent overheating on hot days, especially if your yard has a lot of hard surfaces.
4. Mind the mulch. Say no to cocoa bean mulch—it can be as harmful as chocolate if ingested by your cat. Leaves or finely mulched untreated bark or straw are best.  
5. Control the compost. Keep the compost bin secured to prevent curious noses from making off with hazardous and stinky material.
6. Steer clear of toxic baits. While gophers, moles, slugs and snails may be unwelcome visitors in your garden, baits often contain food ingredients that can be attractive but toxic to cats, too.
7. Handle herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides with care. Keep your cat safe by following the directions and storing chemicals out of your cat’s reach.
   

Avoid these indoor and outdoor plants:

• Sago palm. These leafy green ornamentals are not just harmful—they're downright dangerous for your cat! Packed with cycasin, a toxin that spells trouble, ingestion can lead to severe liver failure within days. Every part of the plant is toxic, and ingestion can prove fatal without immediate treatment.
• Oleander. Also known as Nerium, oleander is a frequent sight in outdoor gardens, with many gardeners bringing it indoors for the winter. Beware of its hidden danger to cats! Oleander is loaded with cardiac glycosides. If ingested, these can cause drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythms and neurological signs.
• Hyacinth, daffodils and tulips. Spring blooms from these bulbs may paint our gardens and homes with beauty, but they have hidden toxins. From hyacinth and tulip bulbs causing vomiting and mouth burns to daffodils triggering convulsions and erratic heart rhythms, these floral wonders can pose serious risks. Keep your cat safe by steering clear of these toxic blooms.
• Philodendron. A sturdy houseplant with a risky side, the philodendron is full of calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause harm to cats if eaten. Signs include mouth burns, drooling and vomiting. Also avoid snake plants and pothos, which have similar effects. 
• Aloe. A handy plant known for its healing powers, aloe can lead to vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy if chewed. The gooey gel inside is often used for burns or minor cuts on humans, but don't use it on your cat.
• Chrysanthemums. Pretty fall flowers, chrysanthemums (or mums) can bring more to the table than vibrant colors. If your cat ingests them, they might end up vomiting and becoming wobbly. Luckily, if your cat only had a small taste, it's usually not too serious.
• Jade. A favorite among succulent enthusiasts, these charmers, also dubbed "money plants" or "lucky plants," bring anything but luck to your cat. Chewing on them can turn your cat’s fortune sour, causing a bout of vomiting, depression and loss of balance.
  

Research plants using the online ASPCA Cat Plant List to identify other potential hazards in your home. You can still bask in beautiful blooms all summer by opting for cat-friendly plants like marigolds, petunias, sunflowers, spider plants and Boston ferns. With these cat-safe options, your garden will be bursting with color while keeping your companion out of harm's way.

If you believe your cat has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away! 

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