Keeping your pets away from flowers and plants
Many pet lovers also have a passion for plants and flowers. There are also instances where a couple meets and, when their worlds combine, it means introducing pets to plants. This can be stressful but it certainly does not have to be. Making the transition can quite easily be done if you take the proper steps and precautions. The first thing to consider is whether or not your plants are at all toxic to the animals. It's not just about the flowers but also leaves, stems, sap, and every part of the plant.
Some of the most common and easy to manage houseplants include African Violets, Bamboo Palm, Christmas Cactus, Cyclamen, Grape Ivy, Rubber Tree, hanging Spider Plant, and hanging Swedish Ivy. Most types of succulents are also really easy to take care of and many of these kinds of plants are also quite safe.
No matter what kind of plants you choose, it's always a good idea to make sure that your plants are out of the way. Cats and dogs don't only tend to nibble on plants but they can also bump them over. Cats usually climb up everywhere and, if they decide to rub up against the plant, it could end up in quite a mess. Not to mention the potential damage to the plant. Dogs are playful for the most part and they generally don't pay too much attention to their surroundings. Bumping a side table could send your favourite potted beauty directly to the floor!
So, the first important piece of advice to always keep in mind is that you should take your time to choose the right spot for your plant. Hanging plants are great because they won't take up any table space and you won't need to worry about your pet getting up to no good! It's also good to keep these plants trimmed so that they don't hang too low. You wouldn't want your pet to think of the leaves as a toy!
Cats tend to dig in pots so, in order to prevent this, you can place some loose pebbles and stones on top of the soil. This is usually enough to discourage such behaviour. If you want to lure your cat away from your decorative houseplants, you can place a special plant just for them in an area easy to access. Choose something like wheat, cat grass, or cat nip to ensure that they choose their plant over yours!
Always treat your plants using pest solutions that are safe for animals. The last thing you need is for a safe plant to become dangerous just because of some bug spray! Also, after watering, remove any excess water from the drip trays. This will prevent them from drinking from the tray.
Peppermint oil is a great natural way of keeping cats away from certain plants and, if you have spiky plants or anything with thorns, you may want to make sure that you use this and other methods in order to ensure the safety of your pets.
