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An elderly woman pours water from a metal watering can onto pink flowers while a calico cat watches the stream closely. 16 / 21

Abuela Rosa Watered the Petunias. Her Calico Wanted a Closer Look at the Spout.

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Little arcs of water sparkle as they fall from the spout, and Canela is studying every drop. Abuela Rosa bends over her flower bed in a soft blue sweater and floral apron, tipping a dented metal watering can over a patch of pink petunias and orange marigolds. Down at soil level, the calico sits with her nose just inches from the spray, whiskers forward, looking both fascinated and slightly suspicious. The little patio around them is crowded with terracotta pots, a pair of sneakers, a basket of gardening gloves, a spade leaning on a bench, and a blue towel drying in the sun.

A garden can be a wonderful place for a supervised cat, but it is worth knowing which plants to keep away from curious mouths. Petunias and marigolds are generally considered low risk, though eating a lot of any plant can still upset a cat's stomach. The plants that cause the most concern for cats include true lilies, such as Easter and tiger lilies, where even pollen or vase water can cause serious harm. Sago palm, azalea, oleander, and foxglove are also on most lists of plants to avoid. Before adding something new to a garden or windowsill, it is easy to check a reliable pet poison resource. If your cat chews a plant you are unsure about, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away rather than waiting for symptoms.

Canela, thankfully, is only interested in the water. And with Rosa's flowers soaking it up, everyone in this garden is getting exactly what they want.

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