Cats and foxgloves

scarlet74

I know that foxgloves are poisonous, so obviously I'm not going to try making that digitalis liquer this year - but I've just bought an established foxglove plant and it's suddenyl occurred to me that we have a cat who might not be so clued up.

Is it unlikely that he will try to eat it (for any length of time, at least) as it won't smell/ taste atractive - or is it a bad idea to mix cats and foxgloves?

Thanks for any advice - if it turns out to be a bad idea, I'll just have to get rid of it (the foxglove, not the cat)...

bertiebots

I have foxgloves in my garden and my cats have never tried to eat them. Maybe they know instinctively that its toxic?

scarlet74

Thanks Bertie.

I had a feeling that they must somehow be aware that they are not good to eat, either from a scent or something else.

I didn't mention the lupins - but I imagine the same goes...

Cheers!

Farway

I guess cats do not eat foxgloves, I only wish the blighters that poo in my garden did

£$&*"($£&(

Do cats eat any plants?

foxgloves

My cats have never eaten foxgloves & there are loads in my garden as they self-seed like mad. Most cats only eat grass or if they are real junkies, they'll eat whole stalks of catnip. The only occasion I know of a cat eating something else was once at my Mum's their cat ate some crocus leaves.....& was clearly feeling a bit sorry for herself in the evening. I think they looked like long grass. Never known any other cat do this though.....let's be honest, it's difficult enough sometimes to get the !!!!!!s to eat best quality catfood!!

scarlet74

Thanks, Foxgloves!

That's reassuring - and I did wonder about them reseeding. Our cat used to eat a spider plant that we had indoors, but I suppose it did resemble grass quite a bit, and we will have some cat grass pretty soon as well.

tim_n

grahawk wrote: »

Do cats eat any plants?

Grass, catnip, seen ours eat flowers, potatoes (more veg really) but prefers them in crisp variety. Had one that loved bread... usually with a dob of marmite. Peppers, tomatoes...

One of our cats is partial to leeks and another pond weed.

They're very diverse with their tastes.

xxvickixx

Our cats eat grass and plants too!

Fen1

The only plants I would not have in the garden with a cat are lilies of any type. The pollen is DEADLY to cats.

The cats don't eat the plant, but if they rub against it and pollen falls on them, then it's awful. They lick themselves clean ( as they always do ), ingesting the toxic pollen.

ALWAYS take off the stamens on bought lilies as well. Dispose safely, making sure that no pollen is scattered anywhere.

ds1980

Probably one of my most prolific plants in our garden, never had any problems with the cat? Interesting to know though!