Cat-Friendly Flowers for Cat-Friendly Owners!

Everyone knows that curiosity can kill a cat, especially when there are lily bouquets and arrangements involved. Many cat owners—and you too, if you read our last post— know that lilies and certain other beautiful flowers are lethal to cats. But what many people don’t know are the kinds of flowers that are cat safe, and that’s what we’ll be sharing with you today. So, get ready to celebrate, all you flower-loving cat owners. Here are 8 of the best, most beautiful cat-safe flowers to include in your next floral arrangement.

Asters – This delicate flower resembles a daisy and comes in shades of purples, pinks and whites. A hardy fall-blooming flower, asters make an excellent alternative to toxic mums.

Celosia – These bright, feathery flowers are named after the Greek word for “burned” because they resemble flames and come in reds, oranges, yellows and scarlet. Not only are Celosias non-toxic to cats, they’re an edible plant as well!

Snapdragons – These technicolour beauties make excellent cut flowers and come in a wide range of colours. In fact, snapdragons used to grow wild in the fields of Spain and Italy. The petals are soft and resemble a puppet or open dragon’s mouth when pinched.

Gerberas – Gerberas may look like mini-daisies but they are actually members of the sunflower family. They are an extremely popular cut flower and can add punches of colour to any environment, as they comes in nearly every colour of the rainbow.

Phalaenopsis – Also known as the Moth Orchid, the Phalaenopsis is a delicate flower that comes in many different colours and patterns. It is just as striking as a stand-alone single flower as it is nestled in a bouquet.

Roses – Roses are not toxic to cats, however, some plants with the word “rose” in their names are (like the Christmas Rose, Desert Rose, Moss Rose, Primrose and Rose of Sharon). While they may not be toxic, roses have thorns. So if your kitty still likes to play with the flowers and try to eat the thorny stems, they may get an upset stomach or scratch themselves.

Alstroemeria – These richly coloured flowers may look like toxic lilies, but rest assured they’re cat safe. The alstroemeria is characterized by the brightly coloured veins running through its petals and the ability to last up to two weeks in a vase.

Sunflowers – If you’re looking for a cheerful arrangement, nothing beats a sunflower bouquet. Not only are they one of the quickest growing flowers, a single sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds! No wonder cats, birds and squirrels are attracted to them.

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Cook-able Plants!

If you prefer cook-able plants to the flowering variety, it’s good to know which herbs are cat-safe so you can grow accordingly. Below are a dozen cat-safe herbs that are frequently used in cooking. Not only will these herbs pose no threat to your pet, they’ll spice up your food with fresh, homegrown flavours!

Basil – A staple in the kitchen of any serious cook, basil is one of the most versatile herbs there is.

Coriander – Coriander is a staple in many Indian dishes and is most frequently used in combination with cumin. Love it or hate it, coriander is here to stay and it works wonders on meats.

Dill – Fresh dill is feathery and mild tasting; it goes well on everything from eggs and cheese to vegetables and fish. With such a light, springy taste, it’s hard to use too much dill in a dish.

German Chamomile – This herb makes a lovely addition to any flower garden and is used mostly for medicinal purposes to cure anxiety, upset stomachs and sore throats.

Parsley – Once believed to be nothing more than a garnish, parsley can do so much more. Throw it into soups, add it to salads, use it to make pesto, or chew on a few leaves to freshen your breath and settle your stomach!

Sage – Sage is a common cooking herb; it helps to digest fatty foods and can be used dried or fresh.

Valerian – The root of this flowering herb has sedative properties and is used in teas. But be careful if you’re growing valerian because cats love rolling in it and eating it!

Catnip – Ah catnip, the favourite herb of cats around the world. Surprisingly, catnip isn’t just for cats! It can be used to make tea, cookies, crackers, and yes, cat treats.

Lavender – You can use dried lavender to flavour sugar or milk in baked goods.

Lovage – This herb is reminiscent of both parsley and celery, and is best used in recipes that demand long-cooking time like stews and braises.

Thyme – Thyme is an excellent herb to add to poultry and is quite common in Italian dishes.

Mints – This ultra-hardy herb grows like a weed and is excellent in light, summer dishes.

Rosemary – An ultra-fragrant herb, rosemary can be used in marinades, to garnish drinks, to flavour oils, to mix in yogurt and combined with butter.