How to Make Your Garden Cat Friendly

We're here to offer some suggestions of how to plant your garden so it can be enjoyed by both you and your cat.

Cats love to be outdoors as much as dogs, yet their inquisitive nature can wreak havoc on a carefully manicured garden. A garden specially made for your kitty ensures you get to enjoy the fruits of your green thumb while Tiger enjoys his own lush paradise!

Whether you decide to change the entirety of your garden or add cat-friendly elements, this can be an easy weekend project. If you want to do the latter just make sure to put the plants towards the back of the garden so your kitty can get down and dirty without ruining the overall look of the garden.

Cats love a variety of plants. Here are a few suggestions of which ones will get your cat‰'s attention:

• Catnip: This choice is obvious. The great thing is that cats go crazy for this plant, and it is a gorgeous addition to your garden. Tiny green leaves appear first, and then tall stalks of cone-shaped little white or light purple flowers. Plus, it can benefit you ‰people use it in tea, and it is said to aid in respiratory infections.
• Catmint: This hearty, bush-like plant has silvery green leaves with stunning purple flowers. These look great as a border for gardens and can withstand poking from your cat more so than catnip. Most likely your cat will be glued to this over-flowing plant.
• Grasses: Cats also love grass of any kind. A popular one is cat grass, which is high in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Bonus: It can aid in digestion and reduce hairballs. The grass you see in pet stores is often wheat grass and is super easy to grow ‰the bright green color is also a great addition to your garden.
• Herbs: Plants such as bee balm, lavender and thyme also great for your garden‰'s kitty oasis. Just make sure to consult with a vet or do some research before planting to make sure the plants you decide on are safe for your cat.

Another great idea is to place a litter box out of view in your garden to encourage your kitty to not use your plants as a bathroom. You might also consider placing food and water outside if your cat is spending long amounts of time outside.

With the above recommendations you can create an outside oasis for your kitty while minimizing the damage to your favorite plants.

However, there are some plants you want to avoid in your garden all together. Lilies of any kind, azalea, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, paprika plants, ivy, chrysanthemums, figs, mistletoe, daffodils and bulb plants, like onions and rhododendrons, can all be poisonous to your kitty.

Most importantly, do not use any chemical pesticides or soil in your garden. Since your cat will be snacking on and enjoying the plants you have grown, you don‰'t want her exposed to toxic chemicals. Spring is a great time to get outside, and enjoy the fresh air not only for you but for your pets as well. By catering your garden to your cats you can enjoy the great outdoors together!

For more information on cat care visit our other articles on our cat page.