# How to Stop Your Cat From Eating and Digging in Plants Cats chew plants for many reasons, from boredom to an upset stomach, and the fix depends on why your cat is doing it. You can stop most plant eating and digging with a mix of safe plant choices, physical barriers, and better outlets for your cat's natural urges. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Move all toxic plants out of reach or out of the house, because cats are small and even a little exposure can cause poisoning [1]. - Offer cat-safe greenery like cat grass or catnip so your cat has something legal to chew. - Block digging with large river rocks, foil, or double-sided tape on the soil surface. - Cover soil with a screen or mesh if your cat is using the pot as a litter box, and add one more litter box elsewhere. - Call a veterinarian or poison control right away if you think your cat ate a toxic plant, and do not make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Why Cats Eat and Dig in Plants Cats nibble greenery for several reasons. Some cats are bored or understimulated, and a swaying leaf looks like prey. Others have an upset stomach and eat grass to settle it. A few cats develop pica, which is the repeated eating of non-food items like fabric, plastic, or soil [2]. In one reported case, a young cat's pica and aggression improved after treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, which shows that some plant and fabric eating has a behavioral component that a veterinarian can treat [2]. Stress and environment matter too. A study of indoor and outdoor cats found that indoor cats with enriched homes (litter boxes, hiding places, vertical spaces, and predatory play) had low stress hormone levels similar to outdoor cats [3]. That is good news, because it means you can meet most of your cat's needs indoors with the right setup. Cats showing signs like hiding or excessive vocalization had higher cortisol levels, so behavior changes are worth taking seriously [3]. ## Which Plants Are Toxic and Which Are Safe This is the part that matters most for safety. Many common houseplants are toxic to cats, and cats are more sensitive than dogs because of their small size and their grooming habits [1]. Cats also ingest poison from their fur when they groom, so a plant they brushed against can still cause a problem [1]. ### Common toxic plants Some of the most dangerous plants for cats include lilies (especially Easter, day, and tiger lilies), sago palms, azaleas, oleander, tulips, and narcissus. Even small amounts of some of these can cause serious illness. The Pet Poison Helpline lists plants among the common household poisons for cats, along with cleaning products, insecticides, medications, and some foods [1]. ### What about spider plants? Spider plants are not considered highly toxic to cats, but they contain compounds that can cause mild stomach upset, vomiting, or drooling if your cat eats a lot. Many cats are drawn to spider plants because the long, thin leaves dangle and move like a toy. If your cat keeps going after your spider plant, the practical fix is to hang it high or move it to a room your cat cannot enter. You can also offer cat grass as a substitute. ### What about fake plants? Fake plants are not safe by default. Cats can chew and swallow plastic leaves, silk flowers, foam, and wire stems, and those materials can cause choking or a blockage in the intestines. Fake plants also collect dust and can be treated with flame retardants or dyes. If your cat chews fake plants, treat them the same way you would a toxic real plant and put them out of reach. ### Safe alternatives Cat-safe plants include cat grass (usually wheat, oat, or barley grass), catnip, silver vine, and valerian. Catnip oil has been studied as a repellent against bed bugs, and the compounds in it (carvacrol and citronellol) are the same ones that give catnip its smell [4]. That is a reminder that strong plant oils can affect insects and cats alike, so use any essential oil product with caution around your cat. ## What the Toxic Principle Does in the Body Different plants contain different toxins, so the effects vary. Some plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth burning, drooling, and swelling. Others contain cardiac glycosides that affect the heart rhythm. Lilies can cause acute kidney injury in cats. Sago palms damage the liver. Because cats are small, a dose that would be minor for a dog can be serious for a cat [1]. Cats also have unique metabolic sensitivities. A modeling study of feline toxicity found that cats handle many drugs and bioactive compounds differently from other species, which is one reason medications and plant compounds that are safe for people or dogs can be dangerous for cats [5]. This is why you should never give your cat any medication or supplement without asking your veterinarian first [1]. ## Signs Your Cat Ate Something Toxic and When They Appear Signs can show up within minutes or take several hours, depending on the plant and how much was eaten. Watch for: - Vomiting or diarrhea - Drooling or pawing at the mouth - Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face - Trouble swallowing or refusing food - Lethargy or weakness - Tremors, seizures, or wobbliness - Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat - Yellow gums or skin (jaundice) - Drinking more and urinating more (possible kidney injury) Some signs, like drooling and mouth pain, appear within minutes of chewing an irritating plant. Others, like kidney or liver damage, may take 12 to 72 hours to show. If you see any of these signs, treat it as an emergency. ## What to Do Right Now If you think your cat ate a toxic plant, act fast. 1. Move your cat away from the plant and remove any plant material from the mouth and fur. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. 3. Save a piece of the plant or take a photo so the poison control team can identify it. 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Some plants cause more damage coming back up, and some cats should not vomit for other health reasons. 5. Do not give food, milk, oil, or home remedies unless a veterinarian instructs you. If your cat is having a seizure, is struggling to breathe, or is collapsed, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately. ## Veterinary Treatment for Plant Poisoning Treatment depends on the plant and the signs. Your veterinarian may give activated charcoal to bind the toxin, fluids to support the kidneys, medications to control vomiting or seizures, or a medication to protect the stomach. Some cases need blood work to check kidney and liver values, and repeat testing over 24 to 72 hours. If your cat stops eating because of mouth pain or nausea, your veterinarian may recommend supportive care and monitoring. You can read more about that in [Why Is My Cat Not Eating? A Vet-Reviewed Guide for Pet Owners](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-not-eating). If you are not sure whether the plant was toxic, bring it with you. Identification changes the treatment plan. For a step-by-step guide to identifying a plant and deciding what to do, see [My Cat Ate a Toxic Plant: How to Identify and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-toxic-plant-identify). ## Outlook After Plant Poisoning The outlook depends on the plant, the amount eaten, and how quickly treatment starts. Cats that get care early for mild exposures often recover fully. Plants that cause kidney or liver damage carry a more guarded outlook, and some cats need hospitalization and long-term monitoring. Cats that survive a serious exposure may still have lasting organ changes, so follow-up blood work matters. ## How to Stop My Cat From Eating My Plants: Safe Deterrents Once your cat is safe, focus on prevention. The goal is to make plants boring and give your cat better things to do. ### Use physical barriers - Hang plants from the ceiling or place them on high shelves your cat cannot reach. - Put large river rocks or decorative stones over the soil surface to stop digging. - Cover soil with a screen, mesh, or foil. - Use double-sided tape on the rim of the pot. - Place plants in a room your cat cannot enter, or use a closed terrarium or cabinet. ### Make plants less appealing Cats dislike strong citrus and some plant oils, but you must be careful with essential oils because many are toxic to cats. A safer option is to use a commercial cat repellent labeled for plants, or to place orange peels near the pot. Never spray essential oils directly on your cat or on plants your cat can lick. ### Offer better outlets - Grow cat grass in a pot your cat is allowed to chew. - Provide daily play with wand toys to mimic hunting. - Add vertical space like cat trees and shelves. - Rotate toys to keep things interesting. - Use food puzzles to slow eating and add mental work. These steps also help with other behavior problems. If your cat is scratching furniture, the same enrichment approach applies, and you can read more in [How Do I Stop A Cat From Clawing Furniture](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-do-i-stop-a-cat-from-clawing-furniture) and [What Can I Use To Stop My Cat From Scratching My Furniture](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/what-can-i-use-to-stop-my-cat-from-scratching-my-furniture). ## How to Stop My Cat From Using My Plants as a Litter Box Digging in soil and using it as a toilet are different problems, but they often have the same root cause: the litter box is not meeting your cat's needs. Try these fixes: - Add one more litter box than the number of cats in your home. - Scoop at least once a day and change litter regularly. - Use a large, open box with low sides. - Try a different litter texture. Some cats prefer unscented, fine-grained litter. - Place boxes in quiet, low-traffic spots with more than one exit. - Keep boxes away from food and water. - Cover the soil in your plant pots with rocks or mesh so digging is uncomfortable. If your cat is eating litter or soil, that can be a sign of pica, mineral deficiency, or stress. See [Why Is My Cat eating litter? Pica Mineral Deficiency and Stress](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-eating-litter-pica-mineral-deficiency-and-stress) for more detail. ## How to Stop My Cat From Eating Grass Outside Eating grass outside is common, and a little grass is usually not harmful. The risk is what else is on the grass. Lawn treatments, pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic plants can all be present. If your cat goes outside, keep them on a harness or in a catio so you control what they reach. If your cat is indoor-only, offer cat grass indoors so they have a safe outlet. If your cat eats grass and then vomits often, talk to your veterinarian, because frequent vomiting is not normal. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information, and individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your cat and run tests. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat ate a plant you are not sure about, is drooling, vomiting, or has mild stomach upset but is otherwise bright and alert. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat has seizures, trouble breathing, collapse, severe weakness, a racing or irregular heartbeat, or repeated vomiting. Schedule a routine visit if your cat keeps eating plants, soil, or non-food items, if you see weight loss, or if your cat has behavior changes like hiding or excessive vocalization [3]. Pica can be a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral problem, and it may need treatment [2]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are spider plants toxic to cats? Spider plants are not considered highly toxic, but they can cause mild vomiting or drooling if your cat eats a lot. The bigger issue is that cats love the dangling leaves, so hang the plant high or offer cat grass instead. ### Can my cat get sick from eating fake plants? Yes. Fake plants can cause choking or an intestinal blockage if your cat swallows plastic, foam, or wire. Keep fake plants out of reach just as you would a toxic real plant. ### Why does my cat dig in my plant pots? Digging often means the soil feels good to paw at, or your cat is looking for a bathroom. Cover the soil with rocks or mesh, and make sure your litter boxes are clean, large, and easy to reach. ### Is it safe to let my cat eat grass outside? A little grass is usually fine, but outdoor grass can carry pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic plants. Keep your cat on a harness or in an enclosed catio, and offer indoor cat grass as a safer option. ### Will my cat stop eating plants on its own? Most cats will not stop without changes to the environment. Remove toxic plants, add barriers, and give your cat safe things to chew and play with. If the behavior continues, ask your veterinarian about a behavioral workup. ## Related Articles - [My Cat Ate a Toxic Plant: How to Identify and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-toxic-plant-identify) - [How Do I Stop A Cat From Clawing Furniture](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-do-i-stop-a-cat-from-clawing-furniture) - [Why Is My Cat Not Eating? A Vet-Reviewed Guide for Pet Owners](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-not-eating) - [Why Is My Cat eating litter? Pica Mineral Deficiency and Stress](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-eating-litter-pica-mineral-deficiency-and-stress) - [What Can I Use To Stop My Cat From Scratching My Furniture](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/what-can-i-use-to-stop-my-cat-from-scratching-my-furniture) - [What Plants Can Be Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-can-be-toxic-to-cats) - [Why Is My Cat Eating Grass and Plants?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-eating-grass-plants) - [How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Cords and Wires](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/cat-chewing-cords-wires) - [How to Stop Your Cat From Eating Your Food and Other Cats' Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/cat-eating-other-food) ## References 1. [What to Do If Your Cat Eats Poison](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/what-to-do-if-your-cat-eats-poison/). Pet Poison Helpline. 2. [Human-directed aggression and pica in a 1-year-old cat, which worsened following international relocation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441538/). JFMS open reports, 2023. 3. [Stress in Indoor and Outdoor Cats: Association between Hair Cortisol Levels, Housing Style, and Guardians' Perceptions of Behavior](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41485111/). Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS, 2026. 4. [Catnip Oil, Monoterpenes Carvacrol, and Citronellol as an Effective Repellent Against Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42505816/). Insects, 2026. 5. [Predictive q-RASAR modeling of intrinsic toxicity of pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41616623/). Journal of hazardous materials, 2026. ## Further Reading - [My Cat Ate Something Toxic What (Pet Poison Helpline)](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/my-cat-ate-something-toxic-what-should-i-do/) - [ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control)