Last Updated: December 21, 2020 There are some fantastic plants that cats love and favor over your other garden residents. Use seashells or dried wood pieces instead of rocks if you want a more decorative touch. Plants work to deter cats in two ways. Like seashells or stones, this blocks your cat's access but allows water to get through to the soil. Here are some ways to keep your cats out of your indoor plants. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. 4. Add some citrus peels . If you have larger animals, you may need to move your plants higher up, like on window ledges or in hanging baskets. Relevance. Bitter apple tends to be very effective. They can hurt your cat. Make sure the stand doesn’t having enough space for even an athletic cat to land. They allow the plant to grow through lets air and water run through easily. If you have cats, we recommend steering clear of these. Coleus canina – This attractive plant, also known as scaredy-cat plant, can be grown indoors or outdoors. You can decide on the size, but larger rocks may work better than smaller ones your cat can move aside with its paw. If you don’t have rocks in your yard, look at a hobby shop or aquarium store. To protect your houseplants from your pets, place them on tall, sturdy plant stands to keep them safely out of reach. Cats hate the smell, so placing them in or around your plants and flowers will keep the kitties away. Fans help mimic the natural breeze outdoor plants usually get, and the plant light is essential for dreary fall and winter weather. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 14,691 times. Thus, you need tips and tricks that are safe both for plants and cats. Cats tend to like these and there are perfectly safe to be chewed occasionally. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Ensure your cats and dogs are safe with these non-toxic plants. Pine cones can also work well for keeping your cat out of your plants. Be safe and don't have poisonous plants they may eat. Plant Pattern Covers are offered 10 different Pattern styles designed to fit the customer’s personal style. All you have to do is remove the top of the cage from its base, arrange one or more plants inside, and latch the top back on. Keep in mind that what works for one cat might not be effective for another. $24 for a set of 6. Have a spray bottle of water handy, and give your cat a spritz when they get near your plants. These are all normal behaviors for cats, especially if they are always indoors. Safe houseplant cat deterrents include pine cones nestled into the top of the soil. Read the usage instructions and spray the product on your plant. Poke the screening you choose down in the plant dirt. Though they are generally easy to care for, they typically prefer more humidity compared to other indoor plants. Stunning patterns and wide leaves are a defining feature of calathea (Calathea spp.) We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Keep reading and see the best natural solutions for you to protect indoor plants from cats. - Duration: 2:05. Keep the edible plants watered and maintained, and monitor your cat’s access, if necessary. Protecting Plants From Cats With Plastic Forks - And Morning Glories. Other ideas include oyster shells or chunks of broken terracotta pots. Some may even consider plants a litter box. Cats also tend to like barley, oatgrass, or wheatgrass (The down side is that this may simply tell your kitty that eating plants is acceptable.). Some plants are potentially toxic to cats, and cause reactions ranging from mild nausea to death. Some other ideas to keep your plants safe from cats: Cat Scat Mats are specially designed to keep cats out of gardens. Install hanging planters near a sunny window that is far enough to keep the leaves from tempting your cat’s paws. Cats love playing with flowers and plants, whether they scrape the soil around them or simply chew or scratch them, but this can often be dangerous for them.If you have a cat at home, it is highly recommended you keep them away from apple and peach trees, poinsettias, eucalyptus, marijuana, tulips, azaleas, begonias etc; as they are highly toxic for cats. Do any of you guys have any photos of your setup to protect your cats from indoor plants? You can also try hanging your plants from the ceiling or using a tall, narrow plant stand to keep them out of your cat’s reach. Spritz this on the plant’s leaves or around the pot every day for a couple of weeks. The cat may be so delighted that it will leave your other plants alone. Defender Spikes can be placed in the pot to deter cats from entering. I have always loved the idea of having part of the outdoors, indoors. Cut a piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth slightly smaller than the diameter of the container. One is to keep the cats out of specific areas by planting a few varieties they don’t like. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. To safeguard your plants from your cat, move them to an area that your cat can’t reach, like high shelves, a balcony, or a sun porch. Cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels. References. Felines are innately curious, which means that protecting houseplants from cats can be a major challenge. Cover the wire with a thin layer of potting soil topped with colorful stones or pea gravel. Protecting houseplants from cats is largely a matter of trial and error, and the following tips may or may not work for you and your kitty. Cat Grass is another excellent and option. NOTE: Citrus oil extracts like those found in insecticidal sprays, dips, shampoos, insect repellents, food additives, and fragrances are toxic to cats a… Lv 6. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Keeping Your Kitty Safe. Ask an employee if you’re not sure. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. You can place a pot of non-toxic grasses, such as wheat grass, near the plants you want them to avoid [source: Tufts ]. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to teach your cat to leave your plants alone, keep reading! Sign up for our newsletter. How do I protect my indoor plants from my cats? She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. You can make cat repellent by mixing peppermint, eucalyptus oil, or lemon juice with water (one part juice, three parts water) and spraying the mixture on the dirt around the base of your plant. The rocks add interest and actually help keep moisture in the soil, but kitties don’t like the feel of rough stuff on their paws. These work not too badly, although they need to be replaced on a regular basis. But these habits may become annoying to you and could kill your plants. Offer the plants to your cat when the shoots have grown to about 4 inches tall. Cats usually don’t appreciate the feel or the smell. Chunks of citrus peels on the surface of the soil are often effective houseplant cat deterrents. Hang indoor potted plants from the ceiling with plant hooks to keep them out of reach of cats. Cut a piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth slightly smaller than the diameter of the container. Favorite Answer. plants. ... love having space outside to explore. Pick up a cat houseplant deterrent spray at your local pet store. You can find low-cost spray bottles online(link to Amazon) or at a local hardware store. An alternative to covering the dirt with rocks is … Wall shelves that are fitted off and away from furniture, high enough to keep cats from being able to jump onto them, are a viable way to cat proof your house plant collection. Find out more: Indoor cats. 1 decade ago. I saw [this]... jump to content. edit subscriptions. Cats usually don’t appreciate the feel or the smell. Adding some citrus peels right at the base of the soil will … Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Plants provide cats with dietary fiber, which acts as a laxative or an emetic to relieve hairballs. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) – Don’t confuse this herb with real curry (Murraya koenigii). Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. Stay consistent in your scolding. Some scents are offensive to cats and if the plants are sprayed with these scents, technically the cats won't go near them. Answer Save. When you are trying to keep the cats away, it is very important to not harm them in the process. http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/why-do-cats-knock-things-over, http://www.petsafe.net/learn/protecting-your-plants-from-your-cats, https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-problems/cats-plants/, http://www.catscenterstage.com/kitty-houseplants.shtml, http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/preventing-and-punishing-undesirable-behavior-in-cats/5496, http://www.purrballs.com/catcare/scolding.html, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/7-plants-your-cats-will-love-w-148323, http://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/why-do-cats-knock-things-over, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/cat_toys.html, http://icatcare.org/advice/playing-your-cat. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. This will protect them and reduce the risk of them getting lost. Try facing sharp edges of the rock upward, which can further deter your cat from walking on or digging in the plant. Cover Soil With Pebbles. You can also try pine cones, the scent and feel of which can also keep a cat from the plant. Give them catnip or cat grass (oat and barley grass), a pot of mint or thyme which they can chew on. You can also cat-proof houseplants by making them smell bad. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Arrange a few large rocks in pots, with the rough edges facing up. While simple, this technique only works if you are home most of the time and can keep a personal eye on your plants. Though the ASPCA doesn’t have an official entry for air plants, they are generally regarded as non-toxic indoor plants safe for dogs and cats. However, some cats will prefer to stay indoors and others will need to remain indoor-only cats because of health conditions, such as FIV. By covering up the tempting soil inside the pots, you'll naturally deter your cat from doing his business inside them. Plant Pattern Covers can be used for Indoor Plants as well as Patio and Outdoor Plants. Catnip, Valerian, Lemongrass, Mint, Honeysuckle, or other cat friendly herbs are perfect for distracting cats and moving them elsewhere. A: I used to recommend mothballs until someone pointed out the obvious; they are toxic and a hazard to cats and children who might pick them up by … Place your rocks or seashells around the dirt in the planter. Most cats aren’t crazy about the aroma of citrus. You can … Will planting peppermint, lavender or lemongrass keep cats away from a greenhouse? It bears repeating that the only way to keep birds and other wildlife safe from domesticated cats is to keep cats indoors.All of the other tips on this list are only going to be partially effective, and only address the symptoms, not the underlying problem of the negative ecological impact that our domesticated cats have on wildlife. They are not 100 percent guaranteed to repel a cat, but they do have cat-repelling properties. If you have smaller plants that your cat loves to knock off window sills and shelves, try putting them in decorative bird cages. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. my subreddits. Buy cat-safe deterrents at a large retailer or pet store. Houseplants and cats: sometimes the two just don’t mix! Mix one part either lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus oil with three parts water in a spray bottle. If your cat likes to dig in your plants, put a layer of rocks over the soil to keep your cat’s paws out. www.spokesman.com. To many cat lovers, the idea of a cat household with plants is an oxymoron. Many cats see plants as a source of food and fun. Cover the wire with a thin layer of potting soil topped with colorful stones or pea gravel. Read on for helpful tips on how to protect indoor plants from cats, as well as a list of houseplants cats will leave alone (probably!). popular-all-random-users | news-AskReddit-worldnews-videos-funny-todayilearned-pics-aww-gifs-gaming-tifu-Jokes-explainlikeimfive-mildlyinteresting-Showerthoughts-IAmA -movies-Futurology-science-askscience-television-sports … This article has been viewed 14,691 times. This article has been viewed 14,691 times. In most cases, cats tend to avoid the following plants: Rosemary – Most cats hate it, but felines are unpredictable. Another option is spraying the leaves directly with diluted lemon juice or orange oil. Cats eventually understand that, “No!” means you don’t like her behavior. Decorative rocks or gravel If you have trouble with your cats using the dirt in your plants as a litter box, the solution may be as easy as adding in some stones to cover the dirt … Many deterrents come in scents and tastes cats don’t like. % of people told us that this article helped them. Nothing is more annoying than cat pee in your indoor pot plants. Love indoor plants, but want to keep your furry friends healthy and happy? Cactus, miniature roses and other prickly or thorny plants also seem to deter cats. calathea. For extra protection, hang the cage from a hook or curtain rod. Some cats will just get sneakier and make mischief when you are not home, but some will dev… Plant the seeds in a heavy, shallow container that your cat is unlikely to knock over. You can find out more about how to determine if your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat in our guide. Cats also hate the smell of citrus. Use tall, narrow plant stands if you don’t want to hang items. Keep cats away from chewing on indoor plants by providing them with some plants of their own. Give kitty his/her own pot of catnip or catmint. Cats are notorious for using your potted plants as a toilet even if they are provided with clean litter trays or access to the outside. However, they’re worth a try, and they may just be successful! Check out the following: 1. One example is bitter apple. This is the classic cat “training” technique. Close any doors or use a gate to keep the cat out of the space. My cat doesn't bother my plants for the most part but there are a few plants that I don't want my cat to mess with. Fans and plant grow lights. If your kitty's using your potted plants as a litter box, your house or patio probably stinks of urine and your plants are likely dying. If your cat likes to dig in your plants, put a layer of rocks over the soil to keep your cat’s paws out. Keep Cats Indoors. Good luck . Put plants on shelves that are too high for a jumping cat. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Glory. Provide scratching posts and various toys to stimulate your kitty and prevent boredom, which is one of the reasons houseplants become attractive. The smell can become overwhelming after a few dozen pees. Line pine cones around the bottom of your plant. Citrus is supposed to be one of these scents, orange and lemon peels for example. They can also lead to another problem if forgotten. If relocating your plants isn't an option, try spraying them with … Here are some tips for keeping cats out of your garden: Garden Netting or Chicken Wire Place the netting under a light layer of soil or mulch so it’ll be uncomfortable for outdoor cats to effectively dig in the garden. Place the bowl with cat-friendly grass near the feeding bowls or the cat’s favorite sleeping place so your pet will know that it is for her to use. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to teach your cat to leave your plants alone, keep reading! Consider covering it with a few small rocks to hold it down and further deter your cat. Since cats are sensitive to smell, you might also be able to deter it by spraying your plants with pine, lemon, or eucalyptus oil. Drill a hole slightly smaller than the threaded end of a plant hanger hook into a ceiling joist. Use Sticky Repellent. Cats also hate the smell of citrus. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Safeguard-Plants-from-Cats-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Safeguard-Plants-from-Cats-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Safeguard-Plants-from-Cats-Step-1.jpg\/aid8029043-v4-728px-Safeguard-Plants-from-Cats-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"