Do you keep your feline pal indoors? If so, then good for you! We always recommend leaving Fluffy safe and sound inside, where she’s protected from things like traffic, weather, chemicals, parasites, and loose or stray animals. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a touch of the outside in. Why not make your feline pal a kitty garden? A local Fayetteville, AR vet offers some advice on this below.
Where Do I Put A Kitty Garden?
If you have an enclosed porch or patio, then you already have a purrfect spot. And while we do always suggest keeping kitties in, there are ways to give your cute pet the best of both worlds. One option would be a cat enclosure. You can buy them, but you can also find plans online. You may find them easier to build than you expected! A screen house or chicken tractor would also work. You can use a kitty tunnel for access, or perhaps set it up so your feline pal can go in and out through a window or cat door. Cat doors are also great options here, because they can be linked up to your feline pal’s microchip. This will let Fluffy come and go, while keeping the neighbor’s kitty—and the raccoon that lives down the road—out.
A fenced yard is also an option. Fluffy would still be exposed to some dangers in a fenced yard, but it’s much safer than letting her roam freely. (Of course, if Fluffy can climb the fence, then you may be better off keeping her in the house.)
What Are The Benefits Of A Kitty Garden?
There are lots of reasons to create a cat-friendly garden! This will give your feline pal the chance to express her inner tigress, by investigating and sniffing plants, hiding behind green leaves, ambushing you from a chosen hiding spot, and nibbling on foliage. These things all provide stimulation and enrichment, which are crucial to Fluffy’s health and well-being. (They’re also really cute to watch.)
Your feline pal isn’t the only one who will benefit. You’ll also get to enjoy the plants! Plus, if you incorporate herbs or produce, you’ll have ingredients for cooking. If you’re using an outdoor space, you can put in native flora that supports local wildlife, particularly pollinators. It will also make your place look nice.
What Are Some Things I Can Put In A Kitty Garden?
Aside from plants, you’ll want to give your feline pal some things to lounge around and look adorable on. Cat towers are, of course, an ideal option, as they offer not just napping spots, but also nail care stations, jungle gyms, and lookout points. If you want to go all-out, you can make your furry buddy a catwalk.
Fluffy would probably also ask for a stocked fish pond and aviary. However, for the sake of the fish and birds, we can’t really advise it. You can, of course, put a pond and/or birdfeeders up on another part of your property.
What Are Some Good DIY Options For A Kitty Garden?
There are some really cute things you can do to make this space fun and comfy for both you and your pet.
One option is to plant some wheatgrass seeds for your feline buddy. You can use a litterbox or a shallow storage tote. This will give Fluffy her own little ‘lawn’ to relax on. If you’re feeling really creative, you can even do this with a table. Carve out a small section … or go the other way and add more boards around it, to build up the sides of the garden.
You can make Fluffy a cat tower out of an old stepladder. Just add boards to the planks to widen them out into kitty lounging spots. Then, wrap the whole thing in carpet or sisal rope. If it’s going outdoors, use something waterproof.
Your furry pal may also enjoy kitty climbing ropes and perches. You may be able to use things like tree trunks or rope ladders. If the area is outdoors, Fluffy should also have access to shade and shelter. A small doghouse or a large dog crate will work.
Water is a must, of course. This would be a great place for a kitty fountain!
What Plants Should I Add To A Kitty Garden?
Catnip is, of course, the gold standard here. At least for most cats. Some of our feline pals—roughly one-third, in fact—are actually immune to it. Fluffy has a rather interesting relationship with this curious member of the mint family. In fact, kitty noses have scent receptors that purrfectly match the scent molecules catnip gives off. As we all know, watching kitties enjoying the effects of catnip can be almost as fun for us as it is for them.
Cat grass, or wheat grass, is also a good option. This is also very nutritious for us!
- Valerian
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
- Parsley
- Sword fern
- Cat Thyme
- Catnip Nepeta cataria
- Grasses
- Blue oat grass
- Thyme
- Zinnias
- Bamboo
- Basil
- Cosmos
- Touch-me-not
- Swedish Ivy
- Mint
- Rose
- Catmint
You can also include potted trees, such as Areca palms and Rubber trees. African violets add a nice pop of color, while Spider plants and Boston ferns provide great air filtering. (Note: many kitties find Spider plants irresistible, so even though the plant is safe for your cat, it might not be safe from your cat.)
These are just a few options. You can find a full list of both safe and unsafe plants at the ASPCA website here. Never include anything unless you’re sure that it is safe.
Pet owners should also be aware of what isn’t safe for kitties. Lilies are at the top of that list: they are extremely dangerous to our feline pals. Just drinking a little water could make Fluffy sick, and could even prove fatal! Other unsafe plants include tulips, amaryllis, autumn crocus, rhododendrons, oleander, aloe, cyclamen, widow’s-thrill, sago palm, dieffenbachia, chrysanthemum, daffodils, hyacinth, English ivy, asparagus fern, azalea, narcissus, pothos, yew, marijuana, philodendron, castor bean, and holly.
There are a few other things to keep in mind here. Just because a plant isn’t toxic doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous. Anything with sharp thorns or spikes can seriously injure your pet if she were to try and eat them. Roses are a good example of this.
Also, be careful how you arrange plants. Don’t put something with trailing vines or leaves in a spot where your feline pal could knock it over onto herself. That is true of hanging plants as well. That macrame holder may look great, but if Fluffy thinks of that trailing tail as a rope climb, it’s not going to be safe for her.
You’ll also want to be careful with the products you use. When choosing things like fertilizer, go with natural, eco-friendly brands: they’re less likely to contain harmful chemicals. Ask your vet for more information.
Set Up An Appointment At Our Fayetteville, AR Pet Clinic
Do you need to schedule an exam, vaccines, or microchipping for your feline pal? Do you have questions about cat care? Contact us, your local Fayetteville, AR pet hospital, anytime. We are always here to help!
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