BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?

Subject: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 01:53 AM

One of our cats, Bianca, has demolished (over a week or so) an entire vase of carnations. I have some lavender in a vase too but she is ignoring that. She chews the carnation stalks so the flowers fall off. As far as I can tell she is good health!
The vase is now down to two lone flowers and some greenery. Bianca is sitting around with a stupid grin on her face.....
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:14 AM

Seems to be tasty stuff. The fruits are used as spices. Enhance her meals with it, maybe Bianca then will leave your flowers alone.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:11 AM

I didn't know it was used as a spice, I know the flowers have been used for centuries as perfume. Carnations are mentioned as a seductive perfume in a book which I have, set in 16th century England. I have some carnation fragrance oil for use in an oil burner but don't use it very often; I find it very strong.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:36 AM

Now give her a white sports coat to chew on ..........

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 08:48 AM

She is a cat.

She does not need a reason.


Her very feline nature is reason enough for any course of action she should choose.


This is the basis for the entire cat-human relationship.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:44 AM

Well, at least the plant is edible. It sounds like 1) she thinks it's yummy. 2) She wants some cat salad.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:21 AM

Perhaps she has hair trapped in her intestines. Give her some kitty lubricant (available in pet stores or pet department of the supermarket.)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Auxiris
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 11:30 AM

Could be very much the same reason our senior cat, Astor, likes to eat melon (any kind of melon!): they like it, for whatever reason and as MMario points out, they don't need a reason, being cats. You might as well as why god does things. . .

cheers,

Aux

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 11:35 AM

Isn't that the same question - at least from cats-eye view?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 11:40 AM

She probably just wants some greens as Hollowfox said. If you don't want to buy the ready-made pots of them, you can just sprinkle some bird seed in a pot of soil, cover them with just a tiny bit of soil, then soak and set the pot in a darkened area for a day or two until you see green shoots coming up, then put in sunlight and water until they get big enough to offer to kitty. She will probably eat them down to the stubs, but all you have to do is add more seeds and keep watering (not too much) and the process will keep producing.

My cats love my asparagus fern and will stand on their tippy-toes to reach it from a ledge near where it hangs.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 11:49 AM

Checking my dictionary the other way round I found that the spice produced from carnations is called clove.
Smith & Sons in London produce a fine snuff labeled "Carnation". Maybe Bianca will leave the flowers alone when you sprinkle them with this stuff - sneezing.
Or buy her a Bernard to distract her.

Mario gives the best reason for eating carnations - none.
Which reminds me what I learned with the military: There is ONE wrong question you should never ask: What did you think when you did this?
But there is a correct answer: Nothing at all.

... So let it be with Bianca
The noble Jennie has told us that she is florivorous,
And is she that, it is a grievous fault,
And grievously shall Bianca answer it.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: jacqui c
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 02:25 PM

My cat was the same - but only with red carnations. She wouldn't touch any other flowers, but would home in on the red ones almost as soon as they went into the vase. Caused real problems with my gardening mad neighbour!

She also loved cucumber and would hook it out of the salad bowl if given half a chance.

Mario's right - cats don't need a reason for anything they do. Why do we keep them? Because they don't need a reason for anything they do!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:58 PM

I had one cat who would eat any flowers but carnations. Carnations were pulled out of the vase and left in a perfect sunburst around it. Another ate Christmas Cactus roots and all. The only flower I have found that cats ignore is the African Daisy. Strange but true.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 07:59 PM

The look quite tasty when you think about it. Never tried them myself, but I probably will now.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 08:06 PM

My cats don't eat anything strange, but my dogs love Campanula/bluebells.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Ely
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:40 PM

My cat ate my spider plant every time I brought it home from college. Ate the whole thing, down to the base.

But yeah, get her some safe greens to eat and some Laxatone to make sure she isn't trying to soothe hairballs or something.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: LadyJean
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 12:09 AM

A little catnip wouldn't hurt either. This time of year, you can buy the plants, or go to your local herb store. The Hartz Mountain Stuff isn't any good. Every kitty must get nipped.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 04:00 AM

We have 3 other cats and they don't eat flowers at all! Bianca is the youngest, only 7 months old, she has lived with us for 2 months. She is the most adventurous of all the cats we have ever had.
Hrothgar, she wears a white sports coat all the time...can't you tell from her name? She is a white cat, little black smudge on top of her head, odd eyes but not deaf. She is staying an inside cat because the sun in Oz is very harsh to white cats, they have skin cancer problems if exposed to too much sun.
Wilfried, I love the term 'florivorous'!
Next time I go shopping I will try to get her (them?) a pot of catnip or catmint.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 09:32 AM

...because you don't buy it orchids?

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 08:36 PM

Geez Roger I didn't think of that....cheapskate that I am!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 09:56 PM

Mine eat Dragon trees (dracaena marginata) and spider plants, and I had to take my miniature Christmas Cactus to work because it was being nibbled to bits.

They're making great inroads into the lawn, so hopefully I won't need to cut it. None of the three react to Catnip. Maybe I should just try them on something a little less legal.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: toadfrog
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 11:03 PM

O! WHY DOTH MY CAT EAT CARNATIONS

(Traditional)
(Aire: "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?")

Oh, why doth my cat eat carnations?
Oh, why do she do stuff like that?
I feed her the very best rations!
Oh! what a perverse, stupid cat!

I feed her on tuna and parsnips!
She turns up her nose and walks by!
But as soon as she smells them carnations,
A fiendish gleam lights in her eye!

One night as I lay on my pillow,
One night as I lay on my bed,
I dreamed she was eating carnations,
Next morning the plants were all dead!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 11:45 PM

Well done, toadfrog!!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 12:19 AM

Coz cats iz stoopid!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JenEllen
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 01:32 AM

Just a little FYI, but it's probably better to keep your cats away from ANY plants that aren't grown specifically for them, and keep the plants that you do grow for them 'pesticide free' (hey, cats are pests, really...)

Fertilizers like Miracle Grow "absorbs through leaves and soil" are toxic, as well is that powdered shit that florists use to keep blooms fresh. Neither is any good for kitty's liver or kidneys, and the effect is NEVER negated, it is cumulative, and can do some pretty horrible things over time.

I've seen enough of it, and it's a shame when bad owners happen to good pets.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 07:20 PM

JenEllen, it's not for want of trying, believe me.....I have a pot plant on the kitchen window sill but to my knowledge she hasn't tried chewing it. So far she has confined her horticultural attention to carnations...mind you, this is one discerning kitty. She chewed through the cable on my son's playstation. YAY!!!
Now if only I can get rid of the rest of the ps...I suppose a hard plastic box is a bit indigestible or she would have tried by now.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 09:07 PM

I had a cat who was a pineapple freak. He'd snatch it off my fork before it would reach my mouth. And Peppersass liked to lie in the nasturtiums. I don't think he ate them, though.

Me, I'm allergic to carnations so I never have them around the house.

Sabine is a butter beast. Vies with me every morning for the butter on my biscuits. I have to soak up some of it onto a paper towel for her to lick so I can eat my breakfast in peace. The other thing she's nuts about is popcorn (even without butter) and cheese crackers.

Mortimer used to do anything for cream cheese. Unfortunately, he's now diabetic and can't have treats like that.

So Banjo makes up for it. She likes cheese of any kind and will do absolutely anything to get it.

I did have a cat who had an adventure licking leftover wasabe out of a dish, though. Never did THAT again!

Cats!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: LadyJean
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 12:23 AM

When we were kids, mom made a whipped cream cake. She left it on the kitchen counter overnight. When she came downstairs the next day, there was a hole in it. She quizzed me. I denied any knowledge. She questioned my sister, who also denied making any holes in the cake. She was on her way upstairs to speak to Dad, when the cat threw up in the hall, and she knew.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 08:20 AM

ONe thanksgiving my Momm baked two pumkin pies - left them on the kitchen table to cool - the next morning we had two empty pie shells. (And a very contented cat)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JenEllen
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:53 AM

Yeah, I had one that ate the bottom (or was it the top?) of a pineapple upside-down cake in a midnight raid on the kitchen. He even chewed through tinfoil to get at it!

My sister's cat LOVES red licorice. She eats it, then jumps on the arm of the couch, does this switchblade thing with her nails, and proceeds to pick the gummy stuff out from between her teeth. It is a riot to watch.

JennieG;
I only mentioned that because people often don't know (or worse, don't care). If you know your cat has taken a liking to carnations (and it sound's like that's the case!), just don't bring any in from florists, and don't use chemicals on the ones you grow in your own garden. I always tell folks in clinic that if you know they eat houseplants, either don't have houseplants, or don't fertilize them with poisons. If you were to slowly poison to death another human, it would be criminal, eh? So don't do it to your pets.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:33 PM

JenEllen,
This kitty has only been living here for about 2 months. I hadn't bought flowers for ages (if I don't buy them I don't get them) and the local florist has some very pretty ones. It was a dull gloomy day (it's winter here, remember) so I bought the orange ones to brighten up the place not knowing the reaction it would provoke from a very silly puss! I love the red licorice story.

Bianca and her 2 brothers were abandoned in a plastic bag as very young babies...how can people do that?? They have all found homes now.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JenEllen
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 01:19 AM

I hear ya, JennieG. My Bridget was a throw-away too. She and her sisters were brought to the emergency clinic one weekend when a kind soul heard them meowing in a dumpster at Wal-Mart, and their eyes weren't even opened yet! She's turned into quite a puss. I threaten to throw her back from time to time, but secretly I think the person that threw her away missed out on a wonderful thing.

Maybe when spring finally rolls around your way, you could plant Bianca some carnations of her very own? *bg*

Cheers to you both,
~JE

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 04:57 AM

Well, there is a UK brand of condensed milk called Carnation ........

I'll get my coat......

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennyO
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 12:17 PM

Jennie, you are going to have to speak severely to Himself - having to buy your own flowers - tsk tsk :-) On the other hand, just show him this thread.

Jenny (still not a grandma)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,Graham
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 06:35 PM

This cat is not satisfied with 9 lives it wants to make sure with reincarnation!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Podger
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 11:11 PM

Graham, 'reincarnation' That was terrible! If you keep that up I'll set Roger the Skiffler on you, or worse, Art Thieme.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: GUEST,Richard H
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 12:25 AM

Cats are unrepentant carnivores. Read somewhere of a neophyte vegetarian who decided his animals should follow suit. His dogs survived but his cats couldn't so he killed them.

According to Collins Dictionary, "carnation" comes from the Latin for flesh. Caro, flesh; carnatio, fleshiness.

Either (1) your cat knows Latin; or
       (2) a carnation is an animal.

This isn't unusual. I've heard of a Bush that is also an animal. Maybe your cat would like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 05:16 AM

Mr REd, you beat me to it, I was going to post 'because it can't get Evaporated Milk'

Thanks for telling about Miracle Gro - not many people realise it's nasty to animals, because having just read the package, there is absolutely NOTHING to indicate that it would be bad for a body... only the usual caveat - keep away from children (sound advice, wish I'd heeded it), no 'if ingested' warnings, no 'in case of accidental spillage' warnings, just 'wash hands after use and keep away from children'.

So why are my snails all happy, fit, breeding like wildfire and positively frisky then? They eat more plants than the cats do.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 05:19 AM

Oh my stars..... maybe Miracle Gro is an aphrodisiac for slugs.....


or worse,

A FERTILITY DRUG for snails!!!!

Somewhere, on the Board of Miracle Gro Inc, there's a giant land mollusc biding his time, waiting to take over the world!

It would explain why there are so many in my garden......



Ooh, sudden thought - how bad is it for humans - I've fed my Rocket Miracle Gro, and fed lots of people my Rocket..... that's why it's so peppery I suppose.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 07:37 PM

Freddie brought home another bird today. He waited until I was on a long distance call and set it loose in the house. Poor thing. I caught it and let it go outside but he was pretty lethargic. Several hours later Freddie came back in with the same bird. I couldn't bring myself to wring its neck and put it out of its misery. When i finally got up the nerve, It was gone to Cloudcuckooland. Wish I could break him of the habit.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: JennieG
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 09:50 PM

Sins,
We have 4 cats now and only one of them, Belle, seems to be a birdcatcher. Binky is a mouser, Prickle is too old to worry about catching things much anymore (she's nearly 16) and Bianca is into reincarnation (I love that, Graham!) Whenever Belle strolls out in the front yard all the local native miner birds set up a racket, they know miner bird is her favourite fruit. She is the only ginger cat in the street so is easily recognisable to the birds!
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my cat eat carnations?
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 13 Jul 03 - 11:56 PM

G'day Jennie,

Well, your Bianca sounds very creative ... maybe she feels that, since she is to remain a house cat, she should keep a subtle clove tang to her breath! We had a next-door cat called Bindii (round about a negative image of Bianca ... all black, bar a little white patch on her head) that kept cropping back our pot of mint. It wasn't cat-mint ... just standard cooking mentha (officinale?).

I ended up putting a guard ring of "GutterGard" inside the top of the pot ... then I had to tent-peg that down, as she just lifted it out of the way! I couldn't keep her away from the mint - but the next-door lot moved off to Chifley ... so she must have found someone else's mint to nibble ... before she made it back to Leichhardt.

Regards,

Bob Bolton