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Cats

How to create a cat-friendly garden

FirstVet's Dr Jessica May holding her dog

Dr Jessica May, FirstVet vet
16 September 2025 | 5 minutes read

Jessica qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2012, where, prior to studying veterinary medicine she also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Sciences. Before joining FirstVet Jessica worked in mixed and equine practice. Most recently she worked at an equine hospital on the Welsh borders. She is particularly interested in internal medicine and wound healing, as well as veterinary business and innovation.

Our top tips for creating an attractive, comfortable and safe garden for both you and your cat. Find out which plants your cat will love, and the toxic flora to avoid at all costs.

Exploring. Climbing. Basking in the sunshine. Cats love spending time outdoors. And a well-designed garden can give your cat a safe and stimulating space, while also protecting local wildlife and your plants.

Whether you have a curious kitten or a laid-back older cat, there are many ways to make your garden more cat-friendly, while also making it pleasing to humans too.

Another way to keep your feline safe is with reassuring cat insurance protection.

Table of contents

 

A picture of a British Shorthair cat looking at a sunflower

Make sure your garden is safe

First of all, before letting your cat out into the garden, you need to make sure it’s safe. In particular, if they’re house cats and you don’t intend them to roam free, make sure all fences and boundaries are free of gaps where your cat could escape or get stuck.

This is often easier said than done, not least because many cats are both strong-willed and acrobatic. You may choose to install cat-proof fencing or overhead netting to keep them contained within the garden. This not only protects them from dangers like traffic and other animals, but also reduces the risk of them harming wildlife such as birds.

If you’re letting your cat roam free, unfortunately it’s impossible to fully limit dangers beyond your home which are out of your control. But you can at least make sure your own garden’s safe:

      • Make sure it doesn’t contain any toxic plants (we’ve listed many of the most common ones below)
      • Lock away plant and flower bulbs in cat-proof storage
      • Add in some hiding spaces if your cat needs a place to calm down and unwind
      • Create a private toilet area with fresh soil or gravel
      • Add some weatherproof outdoor toys to keep them stimulated
      • Check your cat is up to date with all of their vaccinations

Is lawn fertiliser and weedkiller safe for cats?

Many lawn fertilisers and weedkillers have harmful chemicals for cats that could be licked up or picked up on their fur or paws. Likewise pesticides and slug pellets.

Some companies offer ‘pet-safe’ options, but you’ll want to check these with your vet before using them.

To de-weed your garden in a cat-safe way, try hand weeding your lawn and pressure-washing hard surfaces.

A picture of a white and tabby Domestic Shorthair cat sitting next to pansies in a garden

Gimme shelter

Cats love napping outdoors, so make sure they have some cosy spots which are protected from the elements.

Not just from the rain either – while cats are better at regulating their own temperature than dogs, they can still suffer from heatstroke if they get too hot. Make sure there are plenty of shaded areas they can retreat to if they need to, such as beneath bushes.

If you’re planting bushes, the buddlejah (sometimes known as the butterfly bush) is a good bet. These beautiful plants grow easily, attract butterflies to the garden and are totally cat-safe. The following are also safe for cats to shelter under:

RHS.org.uk links open in a new window.

Garden furniture such as tables can also provide shelter and shade, and also a vantage point for watching the world go by.

A picture of a tabby cat hiding under a leaf

Climbing and exploring

Cats naturally love to climb, perch and observe, so think too about the vertical space in your garden. This could be natural climbing frames such as trees, or human-made climbing frames or cat trees made from treated wood.

Make sure trees are accessible, being sure to prune back unsafe branches – especially after bouts of strong wind or stormy weather.

You could also add shelves or sturdy posts along your fences. Not only are vantage points entertaining for cats, but also being up high can give them a sense of security. Just make sure you’re not giving them an escape route if you don’t intend them to stray across your boundaries.

Enrichment and play

To help keep your cat stimulated, you can add features that encourage play. Perhaps you could create a mini adventure park with logs, tunnels and raised platforms? It’s also a good idea to have some scratching posts outside to appease that itch. Plus hanging toys or placing scratching posts outdoors can provide exercise and prevent boredom.

A shallow water feature can also appeal to some cats, although not all cats are wild about water. If you do have a water feature, make sure it’s safe and not deep enough to pose a risk of drowning.

See some more cat enrichment ideas.

Don’t forget to protect wildlife

A responsible cat-friendly garden will also take wildlife into account, such as local birds.

Consider attaching a bell to your cat’s collar to reduce the chance of them successfully hunting down any small critters. You could also try a bright ‘bird-safe’ collar, which has the twin benefit of making your cat look amusing.

If you have bird feeders, place them high up, away from hiding spots. This will help protect visiting birds.

A picture of a Tuxedo cat lying across a brick wall in a garden

What plants and flowers are cat-safe?

While some plants are dangerous, there are many that cats enjoy. Catnip, catmint and valerian are good choices which can encourage playful behaviour. And grasses such as wheatgrass or oat grass can be chewed to aid digestion. Lavender and rosemary can provide pleasant scents and are safe for our cat companions.

Planting dense shrubs or tall grasses can create hide-and-seek areas where cats can stalk and pounce, satisfying their natural hunting instincts in a safe way.

These plants are generally non-toxic and safe to grow in a cat-friendly garden:

RHS.org.uk links open in a new window.

Here’s an in-depth list from Cats Protection of both dangerous and safe outdoor plants (PDF, 111 KB).

Are roses safe or poisonous to cats?

The classic rose is safe for cats, so feel free to plant these gorgeous blooms around your outdoor space.

Are sunflowers safe or toxic to cats?

Sunflowers are a safe choice to grow around your cats, so go ahead and bring a pop of sunshine into your garden.

Are lavender plants safe for cats?

Lavender is a tricky one, as it’s safe for your cat to smell, but has compounds that are toxic if eaten. If you’re unsure whether your kitty could be tempted by a nibble, keep it out of your garden.

A picture of a long haired kitten playing with a toy fish in the garden

What outdoor plants and flowers are poisonous to cats?

These are toxic and dangerous to cats, so it’s best to avoid planting them in your garden:

RHS.org.uk links open in a new window.

Are daffodils poisonous to cats?

We’re sorry to let the cat out of the bag on this one. Yep, this springtime classic is indeed toxic for cats. If you’re a daffodil lover, perhaps swap to a metal version instead?

Are tulips poisonous to cats?

Tulip bulbs are the most toxic part of the plant, but any part of the tulip is a risk for your kitty, so steer clear of these in your garden.

Are daisies poisonous to cats?

Daisies could be irritating to your cat and harmful if eaten in large amounts. Better to be safe than sorry and leave them out of your planting plans.

A picture of a long haired grey cat walking in a garden

How can I tell if my cat has been poisoned in the garden?

If you’re worried your cat has accidentally chewed a toxic plant or flower, speak to your vet straight away. Petgevity customers have free 24/7 access to video calls with a FirstVet vet if you’re ever in need of expert advice.

To help the vet give more tailored advice:

      • Take a picture of the plant or flower you think they’ve eaten
      • Try to guess how much has been eaten
      • Note (if possible) how long it’s been since they ate it

Here’s some of the most common signs of poisoning in cats:

      • Weakness
      • Difficulty breathing
      • Excessive thirst
      • Vomiting and diarrhoea
      • Lethargy
      • Confusion

Find out more about how to recognise and prevent cat poisoning.

Protect your cat for their outdoor adventures with flexible pet insurance from Petgevity.

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