Linalool and gerinaol, two of the essential oils found in geraniums, have the potential to upset the stomach or irritate the skin when ingested. Anorexia (i.e., a loss of appetite), dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, sadness or lethargy are possible symptoms. Typically, symptoms are transient and minor.
Are cats poisoned by zonal geraniums?
Certain plants, particularly flowering ones, are toxic or dangerous to cats. One such plant that is marginally hazardous to both dogs and cats is the geranium (Pelargonium spp.). Because they are inquisitive animals, cats may nibble on or even swallow some of a geranium. Before consulting a veterinarian, keep an eye out for any symptoms in your cat if you think it may have ingested a piece of a geranium. Geranium contact or ingestion may temporarily irritate the cat, but it often poses no major health risk.
How would a cat react if it ate a geranium?
Gastrointestinal discomfort is typically the main symptom of scented geranium poisoning in cats, however the intensity of the symptoms varies significantly depending on how much plant was swallowed. The majority of felines will vomit or experience diarrhea as a reaction from the poisonous oil in this plant. But if the kitty consumed a lot of the fragrant geranium, it might go on to experience cold, muscle weakness, and ataxia.
Zonal geraniums: Are they toxic?
You could be unsure of which of the two varieties of geraniums is poisonous. There are hundreds of different varieties of geraniums, but the cranesbill geraniums, which belong to the genus Geranium, are not poisonous. Cranesbill consists of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that produce blooms with five symmetrical petals that are pink, blue, purple, or white. These low-growing geraniums with elongated stems are good plants for rock gardens. The asymmetrical flowers of the other common geranium (Pelargonium spp.) vary greatly depending on the cultivar. Dogs and cats cannot handle it. The zonal and ivy-leaved geraniums are among these frost-sensitive geraniums. These geraniums feature rigid leaves with scalloped edges and dark markings all around. Aromatic essential oils are present in the leaves.
Are geraniums a draw for cats?
Even if you adore cats, you don’t want stray cats to stroll around your yard, and you should know how to prevent cats from defecating in your garden. A simple and reliable preventative is to grow plants that repel cats. See our ten recommendations.
Geraniums (Pelargonium)
If you want to add color to your landscape while using a natural cat deterrent, geraniums are a great option. These garden plants give off a nice smell to humans, but most cats find them offensive to their sense of smell. Geraniums are typically an outdoor plant, but they may also be kept within throughout the winter if they are given the right care.
Water geraniums sparingly and only when the leaves start to droop, according to proper care instructions. Cut off old, dead leaves as new growth arises.
Allow the soil to dry completely before watering, and reduce watering throughout the winter but not enough to let the roots dry out. Deadhead blooms to encourage new ones and pinch stems to encourage a bush-like look.
Keep Cats AwayScaredy Cat Plant (Coleus canina)
You might assume that these are the finest plants for deterring cats based just on their names, but the smell is actually what does it. Due to the fact that neither cats nor dogs like the aroma, these are plants to keep them away. Not everyone likes these plants since they smell extremely like pee.
When growing the Scaredy Cat Plant, arrange them in a ring or a line immediately in the trouble spots. Cats won’t get around them to access the other parts of your garden. You might be amazed at how simple it is to maintain these plants because they require little work. If your cat uses dry portions of the garden as a litter box, plant one of these there because it thrives in dry conditions.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyals, the tiniest member of the mint family, aren’t only plants that keep cats away—they also ward off a number of insects. This herb is a great option if you prefer using the plants you cultivate because it is stronger and far more potent than other mint herbs in the family.
The herb is frequently used in teas when it is extracted. The American Pennyroyal should not be confused with the European variety. The low-growing plant has hairy stem roots that can reach heights of up to a foot.
Pennyroyal roots anywhere it touches the ground, making it a great flower for use as ground cover. As a border plant for a cat repellant, the new Pennyroyal plants perform admirably. The plant thrives in zones 5 through 9, prefers full sun, but may take some shade.
Lavender (Lavandula)Cat Repellent Plants
While most people enjoy the aroma of lavender, cats do not, for some reason, therefore it is a great choice for plants that deter cats. One of the best plants for repelling insects and wildlife, shrubby lavender plants are also great cat deterrents. It is recommended to place them in a line when using them to keep cats out of your garden.
The vast array of choices with lavender is one problem you may run into. The taller types are the most successful at deterring cats, however all help.
Cats are jumpers, but they are less inquisitive if a bush covers their view, as the taller lavender plants do. As these bushes produce their lovely aroma anytime something brushes against them, planting them along borders also helps to scare cats away.
Common Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Cats stay away from the Common Rue because of its musty smell, but cats don’t want to eat its leaves because of its bitter flavor. When planting the shrub in garden beds near youngsters, use caution because it is deadly if eaten.
A well-drained, dry to moderately damp soil is ideal for the evergreen shrub’s growth. The bush prefers direct sunlight, but will tolerate some shade, poor soil, and poor drainage.
Rue thrives in zones four through eight, although it needs winter mulch and does not like soggy ground. It should only be placed in the middle or front rows of garden beds when being used to dissuade cats because its height and spread are only up to three feet.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)Plants that Keep Cats Away
A woody perennial with a Mediterranean origin, rosemary. The perennial is not only effective in keeping cats out of your garden, but it is also incredibly beneficial in the kitchen. When planting rosemary, keep in mind that it does not thrive in cold weather or moist soil. Instead, it loves a dry, moderately warm climate.
These plants prefer neutral to alkaline soil, so use a high-quality compost with a pH of 7. Rosemary grows best when planted in a container since you can bring it inside when the weather changes if you live in a region that is colder than Zone 9 on the US hardiness map.
Alternatively to being a perennial plant, rosemary can also be grown as a summer annual. Cats are scared away by the smell of the plant, so placing containers next to flowerbeds or along the patio can also assist.
Curry Plant (Helichrysum augustfolium)
Many people consider this plant to be an annoyance when it naturally occurs, however these pungent-smelling plants are effective cat deterrents. The shrub grows to a height of two feet and a width of three feet and needs direct sunlight. Offer the curry plant protection from wind and moisture when growing it in gardens.
This plant is effective in keeping cats away, but it also serves as a deterrent for deer. Small yellow blooms on a shrub that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, the curry plant is offered. You should be aware that it can be challenging to remove the plant if you ever decide to do so.
Despite having a curry-like scent, the plant is not a herb and cannot be used in cooking. The plant thrives in arid and deficient soil.
Plants that Deter CatsCitronella (Pelargonium graveolens citrosa)
Citronella, widely known as the mosquito plant because it helps ward off mosquitoes, also acts to deter cats. Cats, mosquitoes, and other insects do not like the aroma that the geranium citronella releases, which is pleasant and citrus-like to humans.
When brushed against to release its aroma, citronella works in garden beds or containers put throughout the patio and along walkways.
Avoid overfertilizing these plants because too much nitrogen lessens the scent of the leaves. Despite being a perennial, citronella is a delicate plant that struggles in colder areas.
Before the first frost, always relocate indoors; otherwise, treat it as an annual. The plant needs light, well-draining soil that is kept on the drier side, and it enjoys partial shade.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)
Lemongrass can grow up to five feet tall and is found in thick, grassy bunches. This tropical herb is frequently used in garden beds as ornamental grasses because of its resemblance in look. One of the many advantages of lemongrass as a herb is its capacity to deter cats and other pests with its lemony-citrus fruit aroma.
Never plant lemongrass in clay soil because it is a tropical plant that prefers moisture and would quickly perish if left in wet soil. Even in hotter areas, Lemongrass should be planted in a location that provides full sun.
Lemongrass needs well-draining soil with consistent hydration because it is a tropical plant, which prevents the roots from drying up. Use high-quality potting soil for planting in a pot, one that is at least 12 inches across.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip tends to attract cats, so it stands to reason that you’re interested in learning how to use catnip to deter cats. Planting catnip in a location that you don’t mind cats visiting will draw them to that part of your yard. Another plant in the mint family is catnip, although cats absolutely love the scent of it.
Catnip prevents your planters from being used as litter boxes, as can just scattering crushed leaves in a sandbox or other areas of your yard. When planting, be sure the location has lots of space so that cats, including stray cats, can roll around there without endangering anything else.
The low-growing perennial will wither away in the winter and reappear in the spring. Chicken wire can be used to cover plants to help shield the base and roots from adoring cats.
I hope you enjoyed reading about these ten plants that deter cats. Please spread the word on Facebook and Pinterest about our cat-repelling plants if you find any of them to be helpful.
What types of geraniums are toxic to cats?
Pets, especially dogs and cats, should not be exposed to scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.), a common flower in gardens and pots. Your pet may display minor or severe symptoms, depending on the chemicals in the plant and the level of exposure. It may, in rare circumstances, cause a coma.
Cats are naturally interested, therefore it is feasible for them to eat geranium. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat may have eaten geranium. Geraniums can be quite uncomfortable, yet they seldom result in death.
Scent geraniums, the most deadly geraniums, grow in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. (Pelargonium spp). Some cultivars of this plant have useful apple, citrus, and mint smells for the perfume business.
The essential oils from its leaves are used to create fragrances and insect repellents. A variety of jams and jellies can also be flavored using vibrant flowers and vegetation. This plant, which flourishes in pots or gardens, may be accessible to cats and dogs from both inside and outside.
The main toxins found in scented geraniums, geraniol and linalool, can cause vomiting in animals as well as skin irritation. Surprisingly, these two chemicals are also used to make insect repellents.
Does the geranium plant harm animals?
- Begonia – The tubers of these plants, which can result in tongue irritation and vomiting, are the most hazardous parts of these plants.
- Pelargonium species, which are frequently cultivated in outdoor gardens, pots, and hanging baskets, are poisonous to pets and can result in skin rashes, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite.
- Poinsettia – For kittens and puppies, this classic festive plant can cause tongue and stomach distress.
Are the leaves of geraniums toxic?
There are many uses for geraniums, and they are neither toxic to people nor animals. Geraniums were chosen as the herb of the year in 2006. They are used for compresses, cakes, astrigents, and teas.
Are cats poisonous to lavender?
After finding that our cats were extremely sensitive to several of the chemical treatments we had been given at the vet, we began exploring for natural solutions to our cats’ problems, including fleas, allergies, and mood swings. Even if it was in another room, our cat P. Kitty would vanish as soon as we cracked open a tube of Advantage. Nevertheless, we discovered while looking into holistic pet goods that not all natural medicines, even those that are secure and advantageous for people and other animals, are good for cats. For instance, essential oils are quite toxic to our feline friends with fur.
There are two reasons why essential oils irritate cats. In addition to having extremely keen senses of smell, cats also have sensitive, thin skin that makes it easier for highly concentrated compounds to enter the bloodstream more quickly. Most alarmingly, cats’ inability to effectively absorb essential oil constituents might result in harmful buildup in their systems. The number of cat owners who unintentionally utilized essential oil-based items in their homes or on their animals is frightful.
Some essential oils are known to be poisonous to cats, and they are listed below: Citrus oils, Lavender, Melaleuca (tea tree oil), Cinnamon (cassia), Wintergreen, Oregano, Clove, Sage, Birch, Bergamot, Pine, Spruce, and any other oils containing phenols.
There is disagreement over the toxicity of hydrosols, a byproduct created when a plant is steam distilled to extract its essential oils, to cats. We will avoid using any and all essential oil products in the future just in case, as the decision has not yet been made.
The ASPCA website also provides a list of common household products and plants that are harmful or toxic to your cats and dogs.
Also, the sleeping cat in the picture above is secure. Only the essential oils made from the plants are poisonous to cats; fresh lavender is safe for them to consume.