How can I keep my indoor cat from digging in my indoor plants?

Question

I got some spray stuff called Four Paws repellent and that didn't seem to work. I will not get rid of the cat so I desperatley need help.

Answer 1

Hi there ... consider using river rock on top of the soil. It's not only decorative, but also large and heavy enough to prevent accidental ingestion unlike that of smaller pebbles or marbles. If Four Paws repellent failed to work, it's unlikely your kitty will then be affected by citrus odours. However, consider trying fresh orange/lemon rinds. Foil also may work however some cats aren't so fearful of the noise, but it does work. Be sure to secure the foil well enough so it isn't eaily pulled off once disturbed.

Many people believe mothballs work, however they are considered toxic and should NOT be used. Here's more information on this:
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ope/enotes/showarticle.cfm?id=89
MOTHBALLS are toxic to cats which contains the ingredient Naphthalene. Mothballs are approximately twice as toxic as paradichlorobenzene, and cats are especially sensitive to naphthalene. Signs of ingestion of naphthalene mothballs include emesis, weakness, lethargy, brown-colored mucous membranes and collapses. Paradichlorobenzene mothballs may cause GI upset, ataxia, disorientation, and depression. Elevations in liver serum biochemical values may occur within 72 hours of indigestion.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have 3 cats of my own and also foster cats for a rescue group. Some just see a plant as a litter box, and they can't help it. I hate using the repellants, as they really stink as far as I am concerned, and I am not sure how good they are for my plants. Try 2 things - on is putting alum foil around the plant to cover the dirt - the cats don't like the sound or feel of the foil. For a more permanent fix, get some decorative rocks, and cover the entire surface with them. You can find the rocks at a hobby store, or even use nice aquarium gravel. They need to be large enough, that the cat can not use it's paws to move them, like he would a litter box, so I recommend rocks at least 2" in diam.

Answer 4

Cats often dislike the smell of citrus, so you can try putting lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels on top of the soil (it doesn't make your house smell badly, either). If that doesn't work, sometimes aluminum foil is a deterrent because it makes a lot of noise when they touch it. There are also other products available at the pet store that are non-toxic that are supposed to keep pets away. These are sometimes water-based, though, so when you water your plant you have to re-apply. I saw that one person suggested moth balls. I would NOT use these as they are toxic and if your cat gets one and eats it, it could die.

Answer 5

Depending on the size of the plant pots, try cuttion out a clear plastic cover [such as a butter dish lid, coffee can lid, etc.] and fix around the base of the plant to cover the dirt area. If you can hang the plants, do so to get them out of reach.
A cat is an animal :) and she/he is probably following some sort of instinct because of the feel/taste/smell of the dirt. The behavior is something you'll have to adjust the environment to.

Answer 6

My friend just got a real christmas tree and has two cats and they got some spray at the store that you spray on the tree and they said the cats won't come within feet of it. Maybe you could use it on your plants, You could check at lowes or a store like that. It was in the seasonal Christmas section. Good luck!

Answer 7

try to bury some mothballs just beneath the surface of the top dirt. I remove it after a week or so. The odor is unpleasant to the cat and the residual odor is enough to keep them away. I have had no reactions from the plants they are Yucca so perhaps if your plant is more sensitive I would place a mothball or two in the drip pan. good luck

Answer 8

If you can catch him/her doing it, squirt it in the face with a water bottle. Does the Pavloes dog thing, it will associate the plants with a face full of water. May take awhile, but it doesn't hurt the cat or plants.

Answer 9

I agree w/buggsnme2...you can put foil around the edge of the planter to deter the cat or the decorative rocks is a great idea too, plus it will look better.

Answer 10

Try taking a piece of light window screen and cutting it to fit around the base of the plant then trim it to fit to the edge of the pot. kitty will get frustrated when her claws get caught in the screen and soon give up.