How do I get the cat to stop eating my plants?

Question

This cat is so sneaky and smart when it comes to eating the plants in my house. Is there any remedy (safe) to keep the little guy from nibbling the leaves and digging out the soil in the pots?

Answer 1

There are specials sprays available online at places likes Petco and Petsmart that make your plants taste bitter or spicy, and are non-toxic for the cat and the plants. Kitties like to eat plants from time to time, so you may want to offer him his own. I bought my cat grass seeds and grew a little lawn for her, but it made her unbelievably ill. (My cat is very old though.) I would recommend catnip, since it makes them very happy to eat, lick, and roll around in it. You can find it at Petco, and I'm sure other places as well.
As far as the digging goes, try putting a few rocks or a funky little accent like a miniature gnome or flamingo in the plants to get in kitty's way. You don't want him to use the plants as his litterbox. Hope this helps, and happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 2

There are several things you can do to stop this behavior. One is to use a spray bottle, it is one of the most effective tools for correcting a cat without harming them. It is considered a long distance correction tool.

You can also put up sticky paper where the plants are and the cat will not step twice on the sticky paper. Paper like self adhesive draw liners or any wide tape laid upside down. Cats have sensitive little feet and the stickiness is very undesirable.

You can also make another long distance correctional tool by using an empty pop can and place a few pebbles in it and tape the opening shut so as not to loose the pebbles. Attach a wire bail. Using the bail to toss the can near the cat/dog that is doing something wrong. This works cause the animal does not know where all the noise came from and you can sit there looking very Innocent.

The cat/dog will soon learn by association that eating or digging or chewing or peeing on the floor or what ever the bad is that this horrible noise or water follows the bad behavior.

Answer 3

Cats are natural diggers of soil. Do you provide it with a litter box and keep it clean? Also, they need a certain amount of green. If the cat went outside, it would probably nibble grass or other plants in your area.

Some people grow seedlings just for their cats. A little grass seed in a tray of potting soil would probably do the trick. HOWEVER, the cat might enjoy digging that up and spreading the potting soil around.

The best thing might be to take it to a park...with a harness-type leash on it, and let it enjoy nature. Avoid areas with dogs, however, or trouble could be the highlight of that day!

As for the plants, you could consider hanging planters that would be "out of reach" to the cat. Or you could put some wire or netting over the soil portion of the pots. Putting something the cat doesn't like the smell of could discourage it from wanting to eat the plants. Possibly a little sprinkle of cayenne pepper would make him leave the plants alone. That's what's recommended for nibbling deer and rabbits.

Wish I could know how things turn out for you and your little guy. Leave a comment on my site if you want to, or e-mail me:
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Answer 4

Put the plants in an area or in a room and close the door - I have even put a plant inside of a bird cage to keep animals out of the plants or hand the plants from the ceilings so the cats have no direct access - some plants can be deadly - you can try using a cat repellent or putting moth balls in small plastic bags and hanging them around the outside of the plant for the smell - most cats don't like the smell and plant some cat grass or catnip grass for the cat so she has her own safe plants to play with

Answer 5

Nope, they don't understand. Cat find some plants to be very tasty and they don't understand that it's not extra food. I would buy some plant hanger or put them up high enough so they can't get to them. I can't even have a real christmas tree cause my cats sit in it and try to eat the thing all month long.

Answer 6

Posion it lol I hate cats j/k Im really not fond of cats but maybe you can cut onions and put them near your plants or something like that but they may kill the plants I dont know just never been a cat person if I had one it would be a barn cat left outside hehe!

Answer 7

Put tin foil over the soil, they hate that. And maybe sprinkle some hot pepper flakes, spray a liittle mist of water first, so the hot pepper flakes will stick to the leaves.

Answer 8

Double check with your vet first, but try squirting your plants with some diluted soapy water. Also, look for indoor formula cat food. They should contain the nutrients that your kitty may be craving.

Answer 9

Put orange peels in the pot, around the plant and rub some orange oil on the lower leaves.
Cats hate orange-also helps to put peels in your garden if your cat poos in there.

Answer 10

well.. i dont know about the eating plants part... but i know why ur cat digs in the soil.IT is becausethey want to do business in the soil as if it was litter.