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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: I have two indoor
cats. One likes to lick plastic and eat plants but not the other. Why?
-- E.M., San Francisco, Calif.
A: Cats are carnivores
but some individuals have a taste for grazing at the indoor salad bar
houseplants provide. The serious problem is that many indoor plants are
toxic; they can make your kitty sick, even kill it.
Deter your cat from
nibbling on the plants. Use a plant mister or kid’s water pistol to ward
the cat off when you’re around. But also plan for when you’re not supervising.
Do whatever is most practical and/or convenient in your household. Surround
plants with double-stick tape, and lay cardboard or plastic table mats
with double-stick tape over the dirt to prevent the cat from climbing
in. (After a month or so, you can remove the tape.)
Or have a plant party,
arranging balloons around the plants. If your cat bursts a balloon, the
interest in those plants will also burst. Others prefer a product called
Keep Away, which isn’t harmful to plants or cats but cats don’t like the
smell (call 800-452-2404).
Meanwhile, it’s important
to offer an alternative item your cat (ital) can (end ital) munch on.
Cat grass is safe for them to eat, and available at many pet stores. Place
the grass on a window ledge or in a sunny place where the cat can go,
and away from the other plants.
As for your cat’s
penchant for licking plastic, that’s anyone’s guess. Perhaps, he licked
the first time because there was something tasty there, like a few drops
of milk. Now he’s forever looking for something tasty. It might also be
that your kitty just gets off on the sensation of licking plastic.
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