Cats chewing on plants

HomeRepairsDude · 12-03-2009, 11:16 PM

I have been a Cat owner my whole life, and I still have no clue why they sometimes choose to chew on plants. Do you think it's because they crave some kind of greenery in their diets, or is it just some kind of habit?

Anyone else have cats who do this?

Allie · 12-04-2009, 08:56 PM

Yes I do and I don't like it!

I have a poor spider plant that is chewed beyond recognition. It's still alive but it looks awfully pitiful with leaves chewed back so much. Naughty kitties! At least it's not a plant that's dangerous to them.

HomeRepairsDude · 12-09-2009, 09:15 PM

I have seen so many different Cats that seem to enjoy plants, and I still have no clue as to why. Were plants a essential part of a Cats diet, I could better understand this...but you don't see too many Cat-owners feeding them veggies or greens.

Bella · 12-10-2009, 11:56 AM

Actually, cats love to eat grass and your house plants may be a substitute for that since you likely don't have grass gorwing in your house. Pet Smart sells little indoor grass kits for cats. It's a box and you can grow the grass right in it and keep it contained and then they can snack on it or roll around or whatever.

If you don't like that idea, I would spray your plants with some bitters. I haven't tried bitters for cats, but I know for sure it deters dogs from chewing so I would imagine it would work with cats as well.

HomeRepairsDude · 12-15-2009, 11:06 PM

No kidding, Grass Kits for Cats? I was just in Pet Smart a few days back actually, but I didn't notice anything like that. Maybe the next time I go back, I will be sure to keep my eyes open for anything like that. Also we all know that Cats love Catnip of course, but I guess that love extends to other types of plants as well.

chunk · 12-16-2009, 01:33 AM

I was always told cats will go after green things when they feel the need to be sick but can not. I am not sure if that is the case as we only have one plant in the home that my cat can not reach, but she did get sick tonight.

Sunny14 · 12-16-2009, 08:09 PM

Yep my cats do the same thing. When they go outside they chew on grass. So I'm pretty sure it has something to do with that! Darn cats! My cats are even chewing on the Christmas tree branches!

craftymama · 12-16-2009, 10:15 PM

Mine do the same thing and that little kit sounds wonderful! You need to be careful with houseplants and do a search because some houseplants can make them sick or even kill them.

Bella · 12-18-2009, 03:50 PM

Yea, I always thought the indoor grass kit was a neat idea and several times I've considered getting one for my cat. The problem I have with it, as others have mentioned, is the puking. I'm not all too excited about cleaning up any more of that than I have to :P

HomeRepairsDude · 12-20-2009, 11:32 PM

I have never had a cat get sick due to plants, but I do know that there are certain types of plants which are poisonous, which we thankfully don't have any of, but I do advise everyone to be very careful what kinds of plants you bring into the home. Some people have this idea that Cats know what plants to avoid themselves, but the sad truth is...they really don't, and they count on their human 'parents' to keep harmful stuff away.