A Blue-Eyed Birman Sits Beside the Spilled Soil and Looks Away
On the patio's stone tiles, a seal point Birman with bright blue eyes and four white mittens sits with her head turned, looking off in the distance. A bag of potting soil lies on its side next to her, and a fan of dark soil spreads across the stones. Little crumbs of earth stick to the bottom of her paws and to her chest, and a long, plush tail curls behind her. The garden around her is lived-in: a coiled green hose, a wooden chair, clay pots, and a rake lean against the fence in the sunlight.
Cats are drawn to loose soil because it feels good to dig in and can look like a giant litter box. That is why plant pots and gardening bags attract so many cats. Potting soil may contain fertilizer or other additives, and it is not good for cats to eat, so keep the bags closed and stored away. Giving your cat a safe place to dig, like a shallow box of cat-safe sand or a patch of cat grass, can help. After a dusty adventure, check that her paws are clean, and talk to your vet if she seems unwell.
The white mittens are no longer as white as they were this morning. She is acting as though she was never near the soil, and her calm profile almost works. The patio will need sweeping, but this elegant cat looks as if she has simply been taking in the view.
