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A blue-gray Russian Blue cat with a dirt-smudged face sits next to a freshly dug hole in a garden bed, looking upward. 2 / 26

The Garden Was Perfect Until a Russian Blue Went Exploring

AI imagerussian bluegardencaught in the act

Sir Dusty the Russian Blue gazes up with big green eyes, and there is a smudge of soil right on the tip of his nose. Behind him sits a freshly dug hole in the garden bed, a little terracotta pot tipped on its side, and a small trowel left in the dirt. Loose crumbs of earth cling to his whiskers and front paws. In the warm late sunlight, his silvery blue coat looks almost glowing, and his expression is pure innocence, as if the hole simply appeared on its own.

Cats dig for several perfectly natural reasons. Soft, loose soil is an inviting bathroom spot, and a freshly turned flower bed can look like the nicest litter box in the neighborhood. Digging can also be play or a hunt for insects and worms. Russian Blues are known as intelligent, gentle and a bit reserved, and many are happiest following a routine and keeping a close eye on their people. To protect a garden, you can cover bare soil with chicken wire or large stones, give your cat a designated sandbox, and supervise outdoor time. It is also worth checking that your plants are safe, since many common garden flowers and bulbs, lilies in particular, are toxic to cats, and your vet can tell you more.

Dusty will be rinsed off the nose and forgiven by dinnertime. The tulips, on the other hand, may need a moment.

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