How about ways to keep my plants safe from my pets?

Thanks a million for this. I'm a former vet nurse and even I couldn't find the nontoxic list, and no one I spoke to knew which ones were NONtoxic except catnip!

@Emily@

I think some people mix cayenne pepper with water and spray it on the plant. That stings the cat's eyes but may not harm the plant. First though check with both your vet to make sure it's safe and a plant person who knows your plant species.

@EmilyW

Oh and make sure the cayenne pepper spray does not get anywhere near your eyes or face!!

@EmilyW if you find a solution to that you'll have struck a gold mine!

My cats go absolutely bonkers any time I carry something green into the house. The only plant I've found that they leave alone is the pencil cactus, but then I learned in the research from yesterday's post that the sap is toxic to cats.

They don't eat my other succulents, but I have one cat that will eat the cactus dirt, even if I cover the dirt with river stones. I'm feeling like I can't win with my furry beasties.

@Emmi - I was actually surprised that any orchids are on the non-toxic list. Someone had told me ages ago that they were toxic to cats, so I always gave them away if I was given one. Now I feel like a sucker.

String of Pearls is highly toxic to pets and kids. Lovely plants, but seriously poisonous.

@mchin - I have not looked at the list but I am surprised orchids are on there. It depends on which kind, I think. There are many species and some are supposed to be okay.

Important to note (and it would be nice to see this added to the post) is that cats have a unique metabolic process and it makes many substances dangerous for them to eat. Personally I never allow my cats to ingest anything but cat food (Wellness) and unseasoned homemade meat.

"Nontoxic" is such a general term and I usually assume that any plant can make them sick. So the ones I buy are simply the "nonfatal" ones. It's always important to use some method to prevent them from eating the plants. If the cat eats enough, well, almost any plant can give them serious digestive upset.

ps I usually buy hanging plants - that's about as foolproof as it's gonna get.

@Emmi I was also shocked at the orchids being included, but I double checked the ones they posted.

I have an enormous pencil cactus in my house that the cats leave alone (thankfully). I had a ponytail palm that they decimated. Believe it or not, my cats have figured out ways to get to hanging plants in the past. Basically anything with trailing leaves aren't going to last in my home.

I'm also a fan of Wellness, by the way. I consulted with Dr. Lisa Pearson from catinfo.org on the recommendation from the folks I volunteer with at fixnation.org and she said Wellness is the best mass produced food there is. She prefers homemade, but in the absence of that opportunity, Wellness (grain free) is where it's at.

The picture for pearl plant is a STRING OF PEARL plant which IS TOXIC to cats. Please correct this!!! The pearl plant looks sort of like an aloe.

Bamboo is safe for cats, but "Lucky Bamboo" is toxic!

True bamboo is a grass originally from Asia. It grows very tall very quickly and needs dirt to survive.

"Lucky Bamboo" is a lily from rainforest in the Congo. It grows slowly, is packaged in water with rocks, and is often twisted into interesting shapes.

Be absolutely sure that your "bamboo" is actually bamboo, because lucky bamboo is highly toxic.

One of my cats got very sick after nomming on some "bamboo" I had in the bathroom, so I am speaking from experience here. (The cat is fine now, but it was scary.)