Cats and the Dangers of Lawn and Garden Chemicals

When caring for your lawn and garden, it's very easy to just reach for the chemical pesticides and herbicides. However, these products can be potentially fatal to your feline companions. Using these products reduces the risk to your cats and other animals that might enter your lawn or garden. If you think your cats will not ingest the chemical products, think again. Many of the products that you might apply to your lawn smell and taste sweet to cats, so poisonings are all too common.

Thankfully, there are many alternatives to the traditional chemicals available on the market to day. But even these alternatives can be toxic in high enough amounts. Apply all lawn and garden chemicals according to the manufacturer's directions. Don't apply more simply because you think your lawn needs it.

Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides

Insects can damage your plants and flowers. However, you don't necessarily have to purchase expensive and toxic chemicals to solve the problem of aphids, thrips, or spider mites. Try using a simple garden hose with a nozzle attached. Many of the most common insects that might infest your garden have relatively soft bodies and can be eliminated with just water. Spray down your garden twice a day for a week and you'll probably be problem free.

If the infestation is a little more stubborn, add a little dish soap to some water and spray down the garden again. You might want to check your local garden store for insecticidal soaps if have a large infestation. Even this is less toxic than chemical insecticides.

Alternatives to Chemical Fertilizers

There's a simple and easy way to fertilize your lawn and garden without resorting to commercial fertilizers. Compost. Start a compost pile and apply it twice a year to your lawn and garden. This adds essential nutrients to the soil without the addition of any chemical fertilizers, keeping your yard save for your cats.

The fewer chemicals you add to your yard the safer your cats, dogs, and other pets will be. If you must use chemicals, use as little as possible for the sake of your feline friends and your garden will be a safe and happy place all summer long.

Planting a Cat Safe Vegetable Garden

You might assume that a vegetable garden, since it contains edible plants, would be safe for your feline companions. In most cases, you would be correct. However, there are some vegetables that can pose a hazard for cats and other animals that might be in your garden. Some of these will cause your cat to become ill. Others may kill your cat in high enough quantities. Before planting any potentially toxic plants, consider how you will keep your cat safe from the dangerous side effects of many of these vegetables and herbs.

Onions, chives, and garlic contain a compound that, if ingested, can cause anemia in cats. Many cats are attracted to these plants, so consider planting them in hanging baskets or other planters that can be kept away from your cats. Any part of the potato plant that is green, including the leaves and the still-green skin of young potatoes, can be toxic to your cat if eaten in sufficient quantities. Again, containers are an option. Or consider building a chicken-coop style enclosure to protect your plants from pets and other wildlife.

Also beware of the fruits that might be planted in and around your yard. The seeds and pits of a variety of fruits contain toxic chemicals such as cyanide that could cause seizures or even death. Some of these fruits include apple, apricot, cherry, peach, and plum.

It would be highly difficult to creat a cage around a tree simply to protect them from animals. However, there are other options for keeping your cats safe from fruit and vegetable gardens. You might want to plant cat grass or cat mint (catnip) in certain areas of your yard to attract your cats. They'll probably be so interested in the cat mint or cat grass that they'll leave your garden alone. Also consider placing sprinklers around the edge of your garden. Most cats hate being wet, so they'll find somewhere else to explore.

There are many plants that can be planted that pose no risk to your feline friends. These include cucumbers, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, and most herbs. If in doubt, simply keep your pets away from your garden and they'll stay safe and healthy all summer long.

Ten Plants That are Highly Toxic to Cats in a Flower Garden

There are many options for planting a cat-safe flower garden in the spring. However, there are some plants that are so toxic that they should be avoided altogether. These plants can and will kill a cat if they are ingested. In addition, they are attractive due to their heady scents. To keep your cat safe, avoid these top ten toxic plants.

• Castor Bean
• Foxglove
• Japanese Yew
• Jerusalem Cherry
• Lily of the Valley
• Morning Glory
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Precatory Beans
• Trumpet Vine

There are many other plants that are toxic to your feline companions. Check with your local nursery and veterinarian if you have any doubt as to the safety of any plant you'd like to include in your garden.

Planting a Flower Garden That is Safe for Cats

Planting a garden can be great fun and is a wonderful way to spend some time outside by yourself or with your family and friends. However, your pets may also spend time outdoors in the spring and summer and they can be affected by the plants you grow. Whether you're planting a large garden in your backyard or simply filling a window box in your kitchen, you should be well aware of what might harm your cats and other animal companions before you put a single seed into the ground.

Plants for a Sunny Garden

If you have a garden that gets a lot of sun, you'll want to select plants that thrive in the sun. Typically, the plants listed here thrive on more than four hours of sun. I've divided the list into annuals and perennials. Annuals are those plants that must be replanted every spring. Perennials return year after year, but they are more expensive.

Annuals that thrive in a sunny garden and are safe for your cats and other pets include:

• Calendula
• Cosmos
• Petunia
• Snapdragons
• Zinnia

Perennials that you might consider include:

• Bee Balm
• Catmint (this one will attract cats and have them nibbling at it all summer)
• Coneflowers
• Pholx
• Roses

Plants for a Partial Sun Garden

Plants that thrive in one to four hours of direct sunlight a day are considered partial sun plants. Annuals that thrive in partial sun and are safe for cats include:

• Butterfly Flower
• Nasturtium
• Primrose
• Spider Flower

Perennials that might work well for a garden frequented by cats include:

• Columbine
• Coral Bells
• Goat's Beard
• Turf Lily

Plants for a Shady Garden

Planting a garden in an area that received little to no direct sunlight can sometimes pose a problem. However, there are plants that thrive in the shade and are still safe for your feline companions. Annuals that meet this criteria include:

• Coleus
• Impatiens
• Violet

Perennials you might like include:

• Astible
• Bugbane
• Queen of the Meadow
• Yellow Corydalis

There are many other options for a cat-safe garden. When in doubt, do your research and ask both your garden center and your veterinarian. Don't assume that any plant is safe, because many plants can be fatal to any cat that ingests it. Remember, cats like to chew on plants, and they don't always know which plant is safe.