It’s quite an experience to live with a cat. Then they are pawing at the precious plants you have been trying so hard to keep alive, and the next they are curled up into a ball beneath the couch’s sliver of sunlight. You’re not alone among other irritated cat owners if your usually kind cat has ruined several of your leafy buddies. While it may seem overwhelming to figure out how to prevent cats from eating plants, there are practical measures you can take to discourage this tendency.
Firstly, it’s helpful to know why cats are so fond of plants. Founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates and cat behaviorist Stephen Quandt lists a few crucial elements. One sense that cats possess is scent; their nose is 14 times more sensitive than a human’s, and indoor plants smell and look like delicious food.
Cats are genuine carnivores, although they may also eat plants for other innate reasons. Plants contain fiber, which aids in intestinal motility, and they may also contain nutrients that are beneficial to cats. Furthermore, Quandt notes that some plants may just taste delicious to cats. Their interesting appearance is another element. According to Quandt, a lot of houseplants are green, and although cats have poor vision in general, they can see green and yellow quite well. Not to mention, cats just adore toppling objects.
What therefore is the key to teaching cats to stay away from plants? These hints and techniques are useful for how to keep cats away from plants. After you’re up to date, study up on training a cat and preventing cats from entering your yard.
How to Keep Cats Away from Plants?
Teach your Cat to Respect Plants
Another tactic for teaching cats to stay away from plants is basic cat training using a method called remote correction. Quandt suggests utilizing the PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated Dog & Cat Spray, or any other motion-activated air spritzer that activates when your cat approaches the device. “Your cat will be startled and will move away from the plant as it releases a harmless squirt of air,” the man claims.
Should you be present when this occurs, you can gently remove your cat and move them to a plant that they are permitted to eat. This lets them know there’s a better option available.
Plant Pots should be Surrounded by Tin Foil
Aluminum foil feels weird to cats, therefore they will try everything to avoid it. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. Thus, consider covering the pots with aluminum foil to keep cats away from plants. Cover the earth with aluminum foil if your cat enjoys digging in it or perhaps even uses it as a litter box.
This method can also be used to deter cats from climbing the Christmas tree, which is especially alluring with its glittering ornaments.
Apply an Unpleasant-tasting Repellent
Applying a light mist of an unpleasant-smelling cat repellant to your plants, like NaturVet Bitter Yuck! or Grannick’s Bitter Apple, can be quite beneficial. Quandt adds that making a plant undesirable is the greatest approach to deter a cat from chasing after your plants. “These two products are safe for plants and cats, but they taste awful.” Another option is to combine vinegar (or lemon juice) and water 50/50. These repellents that are safe for cats also work well to prevent cats from clawing furniture.
Reapply during the training time at least once a day, if not twice a day. You might be able to reduce the amount of spray if your cat has understood the message.
Transfer Plants to an Off-limits Spot
Although it may seem apparent, moving plants can occasionally be the most effective strategy to keep cats away from them. When it’s out of reach and out of sight, your cat will divert their attention. Quandt advises, “Find areas, plant stands, or even hanging baskets that can be kept near windows. Height is your friend.” You might also consider storing your plants in a room that is off-limits to cats, or building a greenhouse cabinet for them.
Rather than keeping plants on surfaces, suspend them. Hang a plant from the ceiling by placing it in a macramé holder. This is the easy method for how to keep cats away from plants.
Make it Difficult to Approach the Plant
There are moments when you wish to create a greener space wherever, including the bathroom, living room, and bedroom, by keeping your lovely plants on show. Incorporating barriers that make it more difficult for your cat to approach the plant is another tactic you may use to keep cats away from plants, in addition to high places and hanging plants. This could appear as stocking a shelf with additional décor pieces to keep your cat from lounging there and nibbling.
Relocate your plant away from any possible “launch zones” where your cat could find it more convenient to get to it. Don’t install a cat tower directly behind plants on the fireplace mantel, for instance.
Give them a Food Plant to Consume
It’s wise to return the favor if we take anything from our cat. It’s similar to taking away a baby’s alluring toy and replacing it with something else to occupy and satiate them. Quandt advises placing some delicious wheat grass close to the plant your cat prefers to eat, as the former should taste better (particularly if the latter has been sprayed with an unpleasant substance). Fresh catnip is an additional plant alternative.
Take care when bringing new plants into your house. According to Quandt, “Many houseplants are toxic to cats, some very much so [like almost all lilies].” “Lilies are so dangerous that I will smile, thank you, and throw them in a covered trash bin as soon as someone gives them to me.”
Disperse the Pine Needles
When placed on top of the soil surrounding your plants, pine needle sprigs look incredibly natural and maintain a tidy appearance. Hopefully, this will deter cats from digging up or scratching at your plants because most of them don’t enjoy the smell.
Keep Your Plants Out of Sight
Try putting plants in places that are out of reach for your cat, even though cats may be highly athletic and skilled at jumping and climbing to high places. Hanging planters from windows or ceilings is a terrific way to display your plants. If you don’t want your cat to use neighboring furniture as a ladder, you can instead put them on high shelves.
Put Items to Discourage Cats Inside Potted Plants
Try filling the pot with a variety of items, such as seashells, plastic forks, pine cones, and aluminum foil. If your cat enjoys digging in the ground, you could even consider repotting your plants in clay pebbles.
If you would like to use tin foil, you can wrap it around the base of the plant or cover the plant container with it. To ensure that it stays in place, you could try using double-sided tape. Alternatively, bury plastic forks with their prongs facing upwards in the ground.
Ensure Your Cat Isn’t Distracted
Encourage more regular playtimes with your cat during the day to tire them out and keep their mind occupied with something else if they are chewing on your houseplants because they are bored.
Provide your cat with puzzle feeders or new toys to chase to keep them away from your plants. In this manner, your cat exercises spends quality time with you, and uses their brain.
Give Each One a Personal Plant
Growing cat grass, which is typically one or more grasses like rye, barley, oat, and wheat, is a safe plant that your cat can enjoy sitting on, nibbling on, or sniffing. Cats adore cat grass for a variety of reasons. It’s believed to promote healthy digestion and encourage indoor cats to participate in outdoor or wild behaviors.
Online stores provide pre-grown grass for purchase, or you can try growing your own with grow kits. It will help you to keep your cat away from other parts and is the best way how to keep cats away from plants.
What Should You Not Use to Deter Cats from Visiting Plants?
Continue using the concepts we’ve discussed before, and be careful not to employ the following strategies for how to keep cats away from plants:
Spritzing a Water Bottle at your Cat
We all know how much most cats detest water, so don’t do this. Quandt says, “Your cat will learn that they can still eat their veggies when you’re not around and will learn to avoid you as much as the plant.”
Chastise your Cat
Although it’s reasonable that you might be frustrated, it won’t help to punish your cat for eating or scratching at your plants. This involves shoving them into a room or giving them a gentle tap or swatt. According to Quandt, cats have neither evolved nor been naturally predisposed to comprehend punishment. That is to say, this strategy is ineffective and damages your relationship. In light of this, observe your cat’s body language to have a better understanding of their emotions.
Producing Loud Sounds
Likewise, refrain from shooing your cat away from the plants with loud noises like clapping, stomping, and yelling. Cats are scared of noises for short periods, but they will associate the noise with you and not the plant. With cats, it is preferable to employ positive reinforcement.
Diffusing Essential Oils
Certain unreliable tips suggest misting plants with diluted essential oils (peppermint and citronella are two examples) to deter cats. This might discourage some cats, according to Quandt, but if it doesn’t, your pet will be severely poisoned by these essential oils.
Utilizing Cayenne
Similarly, although cayenne pepper is frequently suggested as a safe, all-natural cat deterrent for vegetation, it can irritate your cat’s paws. Never put it in the pot or spray it.
Conclusion
The methods discussed in this article help you how to keep cats away from plants are numerous, and you may need to employ a combination of them to attain the desired result. Try experimenting with different approaches to determine what works best for you and your cat.
Using natural treatments that are safe for cats can be quite effective, but be sure the goods you choose don’t contain any hazardous substances. Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, coffee grinds, essential oils, and black pepper should not be used on cats.
FAQs
Cats may be attracted to plants for several reasons, including curiosity, the texture of the leaves, the smell, or even as a way to get attention. Some plants have scents or textures that are particularly enticing to cats.
Citrus Peels: Cats dislike the smell of citrus. Place lemon, orange, or lime peels around the base of your plants.
Coffee Grounds: Sprinkling coffee grounds around plants can deter cats due to the strong smell.
Vinegar: A diluted vinegar spray around the plant can repel cats.
Aluminum Foil: Placing aluminum foil around the plant can discourage cats as they don’t like the texture and sound.
Pine Cones or Pebbles: Putting pine cones or large pebbles on the soil surface can make it less appealing for cats to dig.
Yes, there are several commercial repellents available, such as:
Cat Repellent Sprays: These sprays often contain natural ingredients that cats find unpleasant.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices spray water when motion is detected, which can scare cats away without harming them.
Scat Mats: These mats have a texture that is uncomfortable for cats to walk on, deterring them from approaching the plants.
Yes, some plants are known to deter cats, such as:
Lavender
Rosemary
Coleus canina (commonly known as “scaredy-cat plant”)
Rue These plants have scents or textures that cats generally dislike.
Training a cat to stay away from plants can be challenging but not impossible:
Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding your cat for staying away from plants.
Redirection: Providing alternative sources of entertainment, like cat grass or catnip plants.
Consistency: Consistently discourage your cat from interacting with plants by using the deterrents mentioned above.
Elevate Plants: Place plants on high shelves or hang them from the ceiling.
Terrariums: Keep plants in enclosed terrariums.
Plant Barriers: Use decorative rocks or chicken wire around the base of the plant to make it less accessible to cats.
Yes, many common houseplants are toxic to cats, including:
Lilies
Poinsettias
Aloe Vera
Philodendron
Sago Palm It’s important to research and ensure that any plants you have are safe for your feline friends.
If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately. Keep the plant in question for identification purposes and follow any instructions provided by the vet.
