Pet Love •

IT’S A LITTLE HAIRY KNOWING WHICH HOUSEPLANTS WON’T HARM YOUR NIBBLE-HAPPY KITTY. WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING FLUFFY SAFE AT HOME, THESE GREENS ARE GOOD TO GO.

Cat-friendly plants keep your space perky and your tabby happy.

FELINE FAVES

Your tabby likely enjoys pawing at all the objects on your counters for sport. Eliminate plant-induced anxiety by bringing home nontoxic greens that also breathe new life into your space. Jennifer Kasten, a veterinarian with the Tomlyn Veterinary Science company, recommends catnip, cat grass and wheatgrass. Low-maintenance bamboo plants are also a safe bet.

SUPERB HERBS

Fresh herbs take mealtime from boring to brilliant. Luckily, you can grow fragrant stems at home to brighten recipes as you please. Dr. Kasten suggests basil, sage, cilantro, rosemary and dill for a cat-friendly windowsill garden. Felines are totally fine to ingest these tasty greens. Err on the side of caution, though, and avoid growing aromatic peppermint and spearmint. “If consumed in large enough amounts, they can cause gastrointestinal upset from their essential oils,” Dr. Kasten says.

HARMFUL BLOOMS

Treating yourself to a moodboosting bouquet is a self-care win. Just note which varieties to keep away from your bright-eyed best friend. Lilies are at the top of the “don’t” list. “Even the smallest exposure can be toxic to the kidneys,” Dr. Kasten says. You should also avoid amaryllises, daffodils and tulips in your floral arrangements. And if you’re looking to add a little green-leaf goodness to your living quarters, skip sago palms, which are highly toxic to pets.

Ultimately, occasionally noshing on something green and leafy can boost your pet’s digestive tract. “Cats are used to getting small amounts of plant material from the ingestion of the intestinal contents of prey species such as mice or rodents,” Dr. Kasten says. “Getting some access to plant material is normal and natural for cats.”