how to protect indoor plants from cats

Nothing is more annoying than cat pee in your indoor pot plants. (If your cat nibbles before then, he could kill the 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. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. 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. But these habits may become annoying to you and could kill your plants. Fans and plant grow lights. References. Have a spray bottle of water handy, and give your cat a spritz when they get near your plants. calathea. Put plants on shelves that are too high for a jumping cat. Read more articles about General Houseplant Care. Chunks of citrus peels on the surface of the soil are often effective houseplant cat deterrents. 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. Below are suggestion for out side but they still can be used inside. Sep 7, 2018 - Luckily, with this article, you will solve the problems. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Catnip, Valerian, Lemongrass, Mint, Honeysuckle, or other cat friendly herbs are perfect for distracting cats and moving them elsewhere. Stay consistent in your scolding. One is to keep the cats out of specific areas by planting a few varieties they don’t like. One example is bitter apple. 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. Plants work to deter cats in two ways. Arrange a few large rocks in pots, with the rough edges facing up. Favorite Answer. % of people told us that this article helped them. They can also lead to another problem if forgotten. 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.). To protect your houseplants from your pets, place them on tall, sturdy plant stands to keep them safely out of reach. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This is the classic cat “training” technique. I have always loved the idea of having part of the outdoors, indoors. You can also put your plants in a room that your pets aren't allowed in, such as a sunroom or enclosed patio. If you have cats, we recommend steering clear of these. Safe houseplant cat deterrents include pine cones nestled into the top of the soil. 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. Cat Grass is another excellent and option. Deterring your cats and distracting their attention can keep your plants safe from the curious paws of kitty. I saw [this]... jump to content. Keep reading and see the best natural solutions for you to protect indoor plants from cats. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to teach your cat to leave your plants alone, keep reading! Those two items will do more for your indoor garden than any fertilizer or premium potting soil. Hang indoor potted plants from the ceiling with plant hooks to keep them out of reach of cats. 4. Midwest Gardener 1,905 views. Some may actually love it. Read the usage instructions and spray the product on your plant. Place pine cones in a plant. Place your plants on a balcony, sun porch, or room that your cat can’t access. NOTE: Citrus oil extracts like those found in insecticidal sprays, dips, shampoos, insect repellents, food additives, and fragrances are toxic to cats a… The cat may be so delighted that it will leave your other plants alone. edit subscriptions. When you are trying to keep the cats away, it is very important to not harm them in the process. Another option is spraying the leaves directly with diluted lemon juice or orange oil. If you have larger animals, you may need to move your plants higher up, like on window ledges or in hanging baskets. By covering up the tempting soil inside the pots, you'll naturally deter your cat from doing his business inside them. You can decide on the size, but larger rocks may work better than smaller ones your cat can move aside with its paw. Keep the edible plants watered and maintained, and monitor your cat’s access, if necessary. Cats hate the smell, so placing them in or around your plants and flowers will keep the kitties away. However, some cats will prefer to stay indoors and others will need to remain indoor-only cats because of health conditions, such as FIV. Many deterrents come in scents and tastes cats don’t like. Cactus, miniature roses and other prickly or thorny plants also seem to deter cats. Cats usually don’t appreciate the feel or the smell. In addition to the safe plants, we’ve also included a short list of common indoor plants that are toxic to cats for easy reference. Cover the wire with a thin layer of potting soil topped with colorful stones or pea gravel. Lv 6. Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. Last Updated: December 21, 2020 Some cats will just get sneakier and make mischief when you are not home, but some will dev… For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to teach your cat to leave your plants alone, keep reading! Install hanging planters near a sunny window that is far enough to keep the leaves from tempting your cat’s paws. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. Keep reading and see the best natural solutions for you to protect indoor plants from cats. Good luck . Add some citrus peels . Defender Spikes can be placed in the pot to deter cats from entering. Pine cones can also work well for keeping your cat out of your plants. Cat-Friendly Garden Ideas: Tips For Creating A Cat-Friendly Garden, Indoor Plants Cats Avoid: Houseplants Cats Won't Chew On Or Potty In, Curry Plant Information: How To Grow Helichrysum Curry Plants, Madonna Lily Flower: How To Care For Madonna Lily Bulbs, Ice Suncatcher Ideas – Making Frozen Suncatcher Ornaments, DIY Christmas Bows: How To Make A Holiday Bow For Plant Crafts, Low Growing Viburnums: Can You Use Viburnum As Ground Cover, Zone 5 Deer Resistant Perennials – Perennials That Are Deer Resistant In Zone 5, Why Is My Sunflower Not Blooming: Reasons For No Blooms On Sunflower, Ornamental Bark On Trees: Choosing Trees With Showy Bark, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Buy cat-safe deterrents at a large retailer or pet store. Relevance. An alternative to covering the dirt with rocks is to place a plastic or wire screen around your plant. 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. Keep in mind that what works for one cat might not be effective for another. Since cats are sensitive to smell, you might also be able to deter it by spraying your plants with pine, lemon, or eucalyptus oil. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! In most cases, cats tend to avoid the following plants: Rosemary – Most cats hate it, but felines are unpredictable. Poke the screening you choose down in the plant dirt. Love indoor plants, but want to keep your furry friends healthy and happy? Cats also hate the smell of citrus. If relocating your plants isn't an option, try spraying them with … You can find out more about how to determine if your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat in our guide. 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. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. If your cat likes to dig in your plants, put a layer of rocks over the soil to keep your cat’s paws out. Many cats see plants as a source of food and fun. Geraniums – The aroma and the thick texture of the leaves may keep cats away. If your cat likes to dig in your plants, put a layer of rocks over the soil to keep your cat’s paws out. Adding some citrus peels right at the base of the soil will … Some other ideas to keep your plants safe from cats: Cat Scat Mats are specially designed to keep cats out of gardens. 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. These work not too badly, although they need to be replaced on a regular basis. There are some fantastic plants that cats love and favor over your other garden residents. How do I protect my indoor plants from my cats? Plant Pattern Covers can be used for Indoor Plants as well as Patio and Outdoor Plants. However, they’re worth a try, and they may just be successful! By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. Some scents are offensive to cats and if the plants are sprayed with these scents, technically the cats won't go near them. 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":"