Catio is Go - are my current plants toxic?

[RedFleece]

Thanks for the cat tree and catio advice. Work on a catio starts in 2 weeks time. It’s an alley catio down the side of the house and currently has the following plants:

Apple tree
Plum tree
Clematis
Jasmine
Honeysuckle
Petunias
Fern
Lobelia
Mint
Strawberries
Garlic

I have been googling but do you know if the above plants are dangerous to cats please? Or know of a good web site or resource where I can get a definitive list of plants toxic to cats.

Also any recommendations for suitable cat friendly plants.

[RedFleece]

Here is kitten

[thecatneuterer]

Do you have grass? If so your cat is unlikely to try to eat anything else. In which case just avoid all lilies like the plague and I wouldn't worry about anything else. If you don't have grass then grow some in shallow tubs or something.

[bitofasleuth]

They can't stand the smell of garlic, so I'd take that away really.

[Veterinari]

Luv is toxic and can cause anaemia

Check this list for the others
www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list

[Veterinari]

Garlic. No idea what luv is

[Allergictoironing]

I would definitely add grass of some sort to that. Its recommended that indoor cats have access to grass, and mine love chewing on theirs. Doesn't have to be lawn, just a pot or 2 of a suitable grass type.

[Pelleas]

I was on your other thread - great to hear you are set to go with your catio now.

Apparently catnip is easy to grow - I've never tried it as I'm hopeless at keeping plants alive - but might be fun if your cat likes it (often they don't develop a sensitivity to it until they're fully grown).

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think Catnip’s part of the mint family so it probably grows voraciously.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Kitten looks very content with your current performance! He’s doing a cat smile.

[RedFleece]

Thanks! The garlic one surprised me. @Veterinari that’s a great list and will keep me busy.

No grass in there so will add that.

The fruit trees pop up on some web sites as toxic but not on others.

I can control the content of my catio but it makes me wonder if outdoor roaming cats are frequently sick from toxic plants. I’ve got lilies in my garden right next to the hole in the fence that is a busy roaming path for cats.

[RedFleece]

Hi @Pelleas and @Fluffycloudland77 yes we went with a local builder in the end. Kitten is already very interested in getting outside.

[Pelleas]

Sounds a good choice (and good to support local businesses too as a bonus). He's so cute! It will be marvellous for you to watch him exploring the catio for the first time.

[Oldraver]

I've got a very good list of poisonous plants I'll link to to later when I get out of bed

I think a couple on your list are technically poisoness but obviously depends if the eat or avoid

Ern would eat anything grass shaped, so yes had to get rid if all my lilies, but he didn't bother with other plants

[Oldraver]

Here's the list (sory didnt see the first one on my phone)

Cats.org

I dont think you can really control the enviroment for roaming cats, and I say this as someone whose cat has probably poisoned himself, probably eating lily leaves

[Fluffycloudland77]

I’d move the lilies or block the hole, it’s not a nice death for them.

[RedFleece]

Thanks @Oldraver another great list. Lilies are not good are they.

[RedFleece]

The lilies are coming up. I like the cat traffic so the hole is staying

[nettie434]

Obviously lilies are a huge no no for cats but most animals avoid poisonous plants by instinct. Otherwise, looking at the ASPCA list, no dog or cat or small mammal would ever survive in a typical British garden with daffodils, tulips and wisteria and virtually every cottage garden plant. At the same time, some plants on that list are poisonous to humans too (eg nightshade) so they shouldn't be in any garden. They have not put cat mint, catnip or valerian on the 'safe' list either but we know they are fine for cats. This list is more designed for plants we grow commonly in the UK and includes house plants as well as garden plants:

www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/dangerous-plants

[nettie434]

Aargh - that is same site Oldraver has linked to. How did I miss that?

[thecatneuterer]

The thing is cats don't have to eat lilies to die - they simply need to brush past them, or walk through fallen pollen. So I can't even bear to look at lilies and always hope that lily beetle will one day wipe them off the planet. Cats don't generally go round chewing on random plants though - if there is grass available they can chew that is. If there isn't then anything is up for grabs to a cat.

[RedSiam]

So these have come out

[RedSiam]

And this has gone in to be filled with grass and catnip.

[EachandEveryone]

This is one lucky cat I can’t wait to see it finished

[Fluffycloudland77]

I’m waiting to see how house proud puss will be.

[RedSiam]

All of the pots were salvaged from an office move years ago and the sink was in a neighbours skip. The chairs were being thrown out by a pub, I’ve painted two so far. I love other people’s junk. So hopefully the only spend will be the actual structure and kitten friendly plants.