Cats are both perceptive and incredibly curious critters. They seem to know every inch of their territory. If you have a house cat, this means your pet has a mental map in place of almost everything in your home. Move just one fixture and most cats will immediately go to that spot to investigate the change.

The same holds true if you bring in new items, such as a houseplant. Cats have a natural curiosity about plants. Add that to the newness, stinky dirt, leaves, moisture and more, and it is no wonder that cats find most plants to be fascinating.

The first thing you can do is provide your cat with its own indoor mini garden. This can include oat grass, other edible grasses and catnip. You can find these seeds in most pet stores or online.

Plant the seeds in a heavy, shallow container that your cat is unlikely to knock over. Offer the plants to your cat when the shoots have grown to about 4 inches tall. (If your cat nibbles before then, he could kill the plants.) Keep the edible plants watered and maintained, and monitor your cat’s access, if necessary.

Aside from placing other houseplants in areas that are hard for your cat to reach, the only foolproof solution is to avoid plants that are potentially poisonous to pets. According to The Humane Society of the United States, more than 700 plants contain potentially dangerous compounds for cats and dogs. Sometimes the leaves are poisonous, and other times the roots or other parts are. The Humane Society recommends that you keep a list for reference in an accessible spot.