How to make your garden cat-friendly: 6 simple ways to keep pets safe

From toxic lilies to cat-friendly plants and wildlife protection, these simple changes can make your garden safer for your cat.

Getty

Published: August 14, 2026 at 6:41 PM

Save

For families with a cat, the garden can be far more than somewhere for the kids to play or the grown-ups to attempt a bit of gardening. It can give your pet somewhere to explore, exercise, climb, hide and enjoy plenty of interesting smells.

Ad

But not everything growing in a family garden is feline-friendly. Some common plants can be toxic to cats, while garden chemicals may pose another risk. And, of course, there's the question of how you stop your four-legged family member turning your carefully planted flower bed into their new favourite toilet.

What to see more MadeForMums in your search results? Tell Google!

From parenting news to expert advice and trusted product recommendations, make sure you don't miss the MadeForMums content that matters to your family. Add MadeForMums as a Preferred Source on Google.

From plants cats love to the ones you'll want to avoid, here are six simple ways to make your garden more cat-friendly while also considering the wildlife that shares it.

1. Check your garden for plants that are toxic to cats

If you've inherited an established garden or you're planning a trip to the garden centre, it's worth checking whether the plants you have are safe for your pet.

Lilies are particularly important to know about because they're toxic and potentially fatal to cats, so they should be avoided in a cat-friendly garden.

Other plants that can be dangerous to cats include:

This isn't an exhaustive list, so check the International Cat Care list of poisonous plants if you're unsure about anything already growing in your garden or something you're considering buying.

If you suspect your cat has eaten or come into contact with a poisonous plant, contact your vet for advice.

2. Be careful with garden chemicals

Weedkillers, pesticides and other garden products can pose a risk to pets, whether through direct contact or by eating something that's been contaminated.

Where possible, consider non-chemical methods for tackling weeds, slugs and snails.

If you do use a chemical garden product, always follow its instructions carefully and store it securely somewhere your cat, and curious children, can't reach it.

3. Grow plants your cat can enjoy

Once you've dealt with the plants you'd rather your cat didn't investigate, you can add a few they might actively enjoy.

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, contains nepetalactone, which can produce a non-toxic euphoric response in some cats. You might see your pet rolling, rubbing themselves against the plant or becoming unusually playful.

Not every cat responds to catnip, though. Sensitivity varies between individual cats.

Common valerian, Valeriana officinalis, can also appeal to some cats, while cat grass, Dactylis glomerata, gives them something suitable to nibble.

4. Create places to climb, scratch and hide

If your garden is going to double as your cat's playground, think in three dimensions.

Different heights can make the space more interesting. Secure logs can provide places to jump, climb and scratch, while a sturdy climbing structure made from fencing panels is another option.

Make sure anything your cat climbs on is stable and secure, particularly if children also use the garden.

Cats also appreciate somewhere quieter to retreat. Grasses and shrubs can provide shade and privacy, creating a tucked-away spot where your pet can relax when family life gets a little noisy.

A designated area of loose soil or dry mulch may also encourage your cat to use one part of the garden as a toilet rather than choosing the children's play area or your vegetable patch.

5. Make parts of the garden less appealing to cats

There are plenty of reasons you might want a cat-free corner, whether you're protecting seedlings, growing food or trying to preserve a much-loved flower bed.

Some plants have aromas that cats may dislike. These include Plectranthus caninus, sometimes called the 'scaredy cat' plant, as well as strongly scented plants such as lavender, rosemary and curry plant, Helichrysum italicum.

Responses will vary between individual cats, so there's no guarantee a particular scent will keep a determined feline away. But strategic planting may help make some areas less attractive.

6. Don't forget about garden wildlife

A cat-friendly garden doesn't have to come at the expense of the birds, fish and other wildlife visiting your outdoor space.

Cats are natural predators, so think carefully about where you position wildlife-friendly features.

Keep bird feeders somewhere cats can't easily reach them and place them close enough to suitable trees or shrubs to give birds somewhere to retreat.

If you have a pond containing fish, a suitable barrier beneath the water's surface can offer additional protection.

A bell fitted to an appropriate cat collar may also give wildlife an audible warning that your pet is approaching. Any collar worn by a cat should be suitable and safely fitted.

Making a family garden work for everyone

You don't need to redesign the whole garden to make it more suitable for your cat. Checking for potentially toxic plants and chemicals is the priority, then you can think about adding safe places to climb, hide, scratch and explore.

And if you're juggling children, pets, precious plants and local wildlife in one outdoor space, creating different zones can help everyone get a little more of what they need from the family garden.

Read more:

Ad

Authors

MadeForMums

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...