Leaf It Alone: A Cat Owner's Survival Guide to Houseplants with Anastasia of Leaf & Paw
After a traumatizing incident involving her cat consuming a houseplant, Anastasia became aware of this overlooked danger to pets. After years of researching toxic and non-toxic houseplants, in 2018, she launched Leaf and Paw, a blog about living in harmony with pets and plants. Leaf and Paw went viral in 2020, and thousands of questions from readers emerged, inspiring her to start a consulting business for houseplant care and placement/styling. Leaf and Paw educates over 100k people a month all over the world, which is insane. She’s currently the board President of her city’s SPCA and keeps a small zoo of three cats, four guinea pigs and over 150 houseplants in New York.
Ever brought home a beautiful houseplant only to discover your cat treating it like an all-you-can-eat buffet? You're not alone. The delicate balance between maintaining a green home and keeping our feline friends safe is something many pet parents struggle with.
Hiss and Tell welcomes plant and pet specialist Anastasia from Leaf & Paw to explore this crucial intersection of plant parenthood and cat guardianship. With over 200 houseplants coexisting with her pets, Anastasia shares practical wisdom gained from both personal experience and professional expertise.
Our conversation dives deep into which common houseplants pose dangers to cats—those trendy Monsteras and trailing Pothos might look beautiful on Instagram, but their calcium oxalate crystals can cause serious irritation if ingested. But don't despair! You'll discover a wealth of pet-safe alternatives that can satisfy your plant addiction without putting your fur babies at risk. From elegant Hoyas to dramatic Calatheas, there are plenty of options for the plant-loving cat parent.
Beyond just identifying safe and toxic plants, this episode tackles the behavioral aspects of why cats chew plants in the first place. Hint: it's usually not spite, but boredom. Learn practical strategies for redirecting this behavior and creating harmonious multi-species households where both your plants and pets can thrive.
Whether you're dealing with a plant-munching menace or a soil-digging troublemaker, this episode provides actionable solutions that respect both your love of greenery and your commitment to your cat's wellbeing.
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