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A black cat with wide green-yellow eyes looks up beside a tipped terracotta pot with soil and leaves across the floor. 11 / 32

The Plant Was Fine on the Floor, Said the Cat With Innocent Eyes

AI imageblack catcaught in the acthouseplant

A terracotta pot lies on its side on the wooden floor, and a green plant trails out of it, its roots exposed and soil scattered everywhere. Sitting at attention beside it, a sleek black cat gazes upward with wide green-gold eyes, ears alert, looking as if somebody just said her name. A few dark crumbs of dirt are stuck to the floor around her paws. In the background a gray couch holds a green blanket and a pair of slippers. We'll call her Olive, and she is very sorry about nothing.

Cats knock things over for a surprising number of reasons. Batting an object is a way to test how it moves, to get attention, or to satisfy hunting instincts. Houseplants are especially interesting because they sway and rustle. Some common plants, including lilies, pothos and many others, can be toxic to cats, so it is worth checking a list from your vet or a trusted pet source before choosing one. Heavy pots, hanging planters or a shelf out of leaping range can protect both your plants and your cat. Offering cat grass is another easy way to give her something safe to nibble.

Olive, meanwhile, is gazing at the ceiling as if the pot fell on its own. Her expression is open and bright, and not a hint of mischief shows on her face. The plant will recover, though the floor will need a quick sweep.

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