Blossoming flowers and live plants create an aesthetic loved by most. They make your house look pleasing to look at and welcoming. However, pet cat owners need to be careful. Sometimes, cats tend to eat leaves, flowers, and stems of plants. While most plants may not seem poisonous to us, they may be toxic for cats.

In spite of being carnivores, cats, including the wild ones, nibble on parts of plants for added nutrition and fiber, or simply for the taste. Fresh and tender shrubbery is their favorite plant. Similarly, housecats munch on various plants, some of which could cause them complications and even kill them. As a result, before purchasing a plant to decorate your house, consider the health of your furry pets.

Following are the various ways to keep your cat from chewing on houseplants:

1. Make the houseplants smell foul
Cats have a strong sense of smell and they judge a substance or detect predators and prey with it. One of the most convenient techniques to keep your cat away from your plants is by giving the plants an unappetizing odor. Citrus is one of the most repelling smells for cats. Add a few lemon peels into the soil underneath your plant every day. Applying cayenne pepper works wonders, too.

2. Buy plants that taste bad or are prickly
Cats are picky about the plants they eat, as not all plants suit their taste buds. Rosemary is a gorgeous plant for indoors but cats hate how it tastes. Prickly plants such as cacti and roses are also effective to prevent cats from nibbling on them. Such plants keep cats away without actually being a toxic houseplant for cats.

3. Spray your plants with non-toxic repellents
There are many over-the-counter sprays available in the market to repel pets from various objects. Although they are non-toxic, consult your vet about it. A home-made alternative is to blend 1 cup of vinegar with 3 cups of water and spray the mixture on the plant. This mixture is safe for plants and repels cats without being toxic.

4. Keep plants out of your cat’s reach
Keep your plants in places where cats cannot reach. However, make sure the spots are sunny enough for the plants to grow. Placing the plants at a height or putting them in baskets that hang from the ceiling are some great ways.

If your cat keeps eating plants, even after you take preventive measures, then there could be a deeper problem; visit your vet. At times, cats tend to eat plants if their diet doesn’t pack enough nutrition for their well-being. It could also be a sign of gastrointestinal diseases, which would only aggravate if they consume one of the toxic houseplants. So, it is advised to get your cat examined by a vet thoroughly if this behavior persists.