Kitten??? - Orchid Board

marydaniellesantos · #1 08-13-2010, 07:34 PM

I was thinking of getting a kitten... I don't know if it'll be a problem with my collection. Does anyone have any experiences that you would like to share? Like their cat knocking things over, eating chids, etc.

WhiteRabbit · #2 08-13-2010, 07:42 PM

Well - orchids, mostly, aren't toxic, so kitty should be safe. I know a few people have posted about their cats munching on their plants - I haven't had this problem ... But providing kitty greens may help in that area ...
My recently adopted adult cat did knock some plants over in a windowsill - there was a cat perch in that window - my previous cat never used it, so I started putting plants there - new kitty found it and likes it - so now I don't have plants in that window

He did once jump onto another windowsill with plants on it - he was actually pretty careful - but every time since then when I would see him looking like he wanted to jump up there, I interrupted him ...
He has his window perch, and a cat tower in front of a large patio window. And when he sees me watering plants, he asks to be picked up so he can look out the windows lol ...

I have never had a kitten, only adopted adult cats, and haven't had any real problems with having cats and plants ...

marydaniellesantos · #3 08-13-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Well - orchids, mostly, aren't toxic, so kitty should be safe. I know a few people have posted about their cats munching on their plants - I haven't had this problem ... But providing kitty greens may help in that area ...
My recently adopted adult cat did knock some plants over in a windowsill - there was a cat perch in that window - my previous cat never used it, so I started putting plants there - new kitty found it and likes it - so now I don't have plants in that window

He did once jump onto another windowsill with plants on it - he was actually pretty careful - but every time since then when I would see him looking like he wanted to jump up there, I interrupted him ...
He has his window perch, and a cat tower in front of a large patio window. And when he sees me watering plants, he asks to be picked up so he can look out the windows lol ...

I have never had a kitten, only adopted adult cats, and haven't had any real problems with having cats and plants ...

Awesome to know! Thank you! I really want a feline friend.

WhiteRabbit · #4 08-13-2010, 07:52 PM

I would think that supervision, especially early on, would be good - keep the squirt bottle handy ?
But like I said - for me this hasn't been a problem, but have read of a few people having some instances of kitties munching on plants ...

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #5 08-13-2010, 07:54 PM

I have two cats. One of them completely leaves all plants alone. My other one selectively chews. He did pretty good at leaving my orchids alone when they were in the house under lights. The shelving was wire though... so not something he wanted to try to walk on. However, I left a den. hercoglossum and my maxillaria tenuifolia x sanguinea on the counter one night when I was re-organizing and the bugger helped himself. I think he bit into every single leaf at least once

Now all the 'chids are either in the green house, or in the tank hubby and I built.

Have fun finding the new kitten. I just love cats. They each develop the funniest personalities.

marydaniellesantos · #6 08-13-2010, 07:54 PM

I think I will supervise, and if I'm not around the hubby is a sucker for animals. (even though he doesn't like to admit it) Lol. I love you kitty in your avatar picture.

I used to own a Turkish Van, but sadly I had to leave him in California.

WhiteRabbit · #7 08-13-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

I think I will supervise, and if I'm not around the hubby is a sucker for animals. (even though he doesn't like to admit it) Lol. I love you kitty in your avatar picture.

I used to own a Turkish Van, but sadly I had to leave him in California.

aw thanks - that's Jack, whom I adopted last fall ... he's a love

sorry you couldn't bring your cat with you ...
also taste deterrants, like bitter apple, can be applied to the plants I believe ?

Izzie · #8 08-13-2010, 08:04 PM

Look for a product called "Bitter Apple" at your pet stores. Keeps my cats well away from any plant within their reach.

If I do have plants that are near where they like to perch, I make sure they are in heavy pots. Plants that are in bloom get moved out of their reach.