Buzz
Cats are inherently curious, so your favorite houseplants may attract your little furry friend. Cats enjoy playing and may even nibble on leaves or dig in the soil around the plants. Avoid placing toxic plants, such as lilies, around your home as they are highly poisonous to cats. However, even safe plants can suffer damage or may be killed due to the cats' behavior! Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to minimize this damage.
Steps
Preventing Destructive Behavior Toward Plants
Hang plants from the ceiling. You can purchase hanging pots and mount them on the ceiling or in the garden. Hanging pots are not only aesthetically pleasing but can also keep cats from causing trouble!
Use a spray to keep cats away from your plants. You can buy a cat-repellent spray at pet stores that won't harm your plants but will make the cats avoid them. A safe brand is 'Get Off,' but make sure to check the label before purchasing to ensure it's safe for your plants. Some sprays may damage your plants.
- If you prefer, you can make your own repellent at home by mixing one part vinegar with three parts water and spraying it on the leaves. Cats dislike this smell and will avoid your plants!
Train your cat to stay away from your plants. This method works well with a 'remote punishment.' The idea is to associate the act of approaching your plants with something unpleasant, such as being sprayed with water. However, be sure the cat does not associate the punishment with you. You want the cat to be unsure of where the punishment is coming from.
- Set up a booby trap around the plant by placing a motion-sensor activated air canister nearby. This tool, available at pet stores or online, helps train cats effectively.
- When the cat gets too close to the plant, it will trigger a blast of air. This doesn’t harm the cat, but it will make the cat hesitant to approach the plant again.
Don’t punish your cat directly. For example, if you spray your cat with water or scold it, the cat will associate the punishment with you. Your cat might avoid the plants when you're around, but will likely return to them once you leave the room. Punishing a cat only makes it more cunning. Your cat may become more fearful of you, which is the last thing you want in your relationship with your pet.
Cover the base of the plants with uncomfortable materials. You can place aluminum foil around the base of your plant or use a spiky plastic carpet protector with the prongs facing upward. Your cat will probably avoid stepping on these unpleasant surfaces to get close to the plant.
Use noise to keep your cat away. Gather and clean empty cans – such as vegetable or soda cans. Line them along the edge of the table where your plant sits, stacking them to form a barrier. When your cat jumps up and knocks over the cans, the noise will startle it. After such a frightening experience, your cat will likely be deterred from coming near the plant again.
Sprinkle lion manure into the soil of your potted plant. It might sound unusual, but products like Silent Roar contain lion manure as one of their ingredients. While you may not be able to smell it, cats have a highly sensitive sense of smell, and they will receive a signal that a stronger species has claimed the pot as its territory.
Provide Other Toys for Cats
Understand the reason behind the plant destruction behavior. Cats can get extremely bored when confined to your home. If the moving leaves of a plant are the closest thing resembling a toy or prey in their environment, don't be surprised when your cat is drawn to the plant. To effectively curb this damaging behavior, consider purchasing another toy specifically for your cat.
Play regularly with your cat. Some breeds of cats are more active than others, so you'll need to figure out how much playtime they require. However, a general rule is to play with your cat at least twice a day, with each session lasting 5-10 minutes.
Use toys that make your cat move. While your cat will enjoy the attention, you shouldn't turn playtime into a cuddling session. You need to get your cat excited and active to keep it from chewing on your plants.
- Use toys with long strings so your cat can run from one room to another without tiring.
- Not all cats are drawn to laser pointers, but if yours is, you're in luck! You can lie back on your bed and enjoy a snack while your cat runs around trying to catch the little red dot!
Bring toys for your cat when you go out. Cats can become quite bored when there's no one around to play with them. Bringing out toys for your cat while you're away helps them combat boredom rather than resorting to chewing on your plants.
- Frequently change the toys so that your cat doesn't get bored playing with the same one every day. Cats tend to ignore toys once they become too familiar.
- However, if it's been a while since they've played with a particular toy, your cat will get excited when it makes a reappearance.
Choosing Plants
Observe your cat's preferences. Pay attention to the types of plants that catch your cat's attention, and avoid placing those plants in your home.
- For example, cats are often drawn to plants with thin, fluttering leaves in the wind.
- In this case, you should opt for plants with larger, heavier leaves to discourage your cat from getting too close.
Avoid purchasing "cat magnet" plants. Cats can't resist yucca plants and will chew on them relentlessly. Zinnia and marigold flowers are other examples of "cat magnet" plants you should steer clear of.
- If you do end up buying a plant that your cat loves, place it on a high shelf where they can't reach it. You need to ensure that your cat can't jump onto the shelf, or they'll leap up and destroy your plant.
Place "decoy" plants around your home. You can take advantage of your cat's attraction to certain plants. Set up trays of catnip or grass around your home for your cat. Chewing on these plants will help satisfy their cravings and hopefully divert their attention away from other plants in your home.
Choose plants your cat dislikes. There are also certain plants that cats seem to avoid. These often have strong scents, such as lavender, rosemary, or citrus. While you may enjoy the fragrance of these plants, your cat will not be interested in chewing on them.
- You could also opt for plants with leaves placed high up, out of your cat's reach, like small trees.
Warning
- Never spray anything harmful, such as hot sauce, onto your plants or soil. It may deter your cat, but it could also cause damage to its eyes and fur, even leading to blindness.
- Only use products that are veterinarian-approved for safety around cats. Always test a small amount on the plant before applying it to the entire plant to ensure it doesn't cause any damage.
- Stay updated on toxic plants (you can find lists online) and avoid keeping them as houseplants, even if they are placed far from your cat. Cats have a knack for getting to places you wouldn't think they could reach or where you assume they’re safe. Don’t risk creating an opportunity for poisoning with toxic plants in your home.
- You can deter cats by placing mulch in the pots, but be aware that some mulches are toxic, and if your cat eats them, they may become seriously ill or even die. If you choose to use mulch, make sure it is placed inside a container with holes for ventilation but out of your cat's reach.
What You Will Need
- Plant hanger or high ceiling
- Houseplants with a small tree shape and tall leaves
- Cat repellent spray
- Vinegar
- Mouse traps
- Mulch
- Plants that cats dislike
- New toys, treats, hiding spots, and playtime
- Spray bottles, soda cans, and coins
