Of course, you could give away your plants to avoid fighting with your treasured puss, but this is probably not the advice you seek. You could alternatively give your cat away, but we assume you want to keep both your cat and your plants. So, what should a cat owner do?
Cats are known as plant marauders, and they will use any opportunity to tamper with anything that grows leaves. The majority of houseplants do not survive these adventures. And the truth is that cats are stubborn and often difficult to control. The good news is that there are things you can do to get an advantage. But first and foremost, why are cats unable to keep their paws off houseplants in the first place?
Why Do Cats Damage Houseplants?
To clarify, not all cats will injure plants and those that do mean no harm. If you have a cat who chews on leaves, digs in plant pots, drops them, and can even relieve themselves in them, you know what I mean. Yes, it can get that bad.
Only cats can tell us why, but these are the most typical reasons why cats will not leave houseplants alone.
Boredom
Boredom is harmful to everyone. When your adorable feline’s life is boring, they will strive to spice things up. Unfortunately, this may entail jumping on flower pots and attempting to topple them. It has also been observed that bored cats would gnaw on plant leaves.
Cats are Cheeky
They certainly are! Felines are very mischievous and will find anything to occupy their time. Cats, you know, retain their forefathers’ savage impulses. And because they aren’t required to hunt, keep an eye out for other predators, or battle for territories, they must do something. Jumping from a low-hanging plant is also an option.
Maybe They Like the Taste
Cats appear to appreciate the taste and fragrance of certain plants. We all know how appealing catnip is. Many other plants will entice your pet to try their leaves or dig up their roots.
It’s Good for Them
Cats will chew on plants in order to obtain nutritional value. They are, after all, carnivores, but some plant materials may be useful as well. It can, for example, deliver fiber.
How to Keep Cats Out of Houseplants
If your cat appears unduly eager to damage your houseplants, you must take action. And this does not include replanting the plants as soon as they are planted. Consider the following.
Keep the Plants Out of Reach
It is simpler to keep the plant away from the cat than it is to keep the cat away from the plant. Overgrown leaves that hang sideways and sway in the breeze near your cat’s favorite hangout will almost certainly get scratched. Of course, this does not preclude the cat from touching anything that gets in its way. It will, for example, hop on windows to reach the plants planted there.
Hang your plants in a difficult-to-reach location if possible. For example, away from the window or any furniture. Or perhaps put your plants in a secure room?
Choose Unpalatable Plants
Many plants thrive in the environment because they are repulsive to herbivores. This is where things like thorns or a foul taste come into play. What we mean is that if you make your plants unappealing, your cat will leave them alone.
You have several options here, including spraying the entire plant with a repellant, such as safe commercial scented sprays. A blend of scented soap and water, on the other hand, can work just fine—just make sure the aroma is strong enough. You may also heat things up by spraying your plant with spicy chili. Make certain that whatever repellent you use is non-toxic to your cat.
Cover up Your Plants
If the cat can’t get to the leaves, how can it nibble on them?
Consider putting your plants in a birdcage. All you have to do is acquire a really nice enclosure with some design (to make it attractive) and remove the top. Then, place your potted plants inside and shut the door. You can keep your plants in an aquarium with a top-mounted screen.
Add Some Stones
Have you ever discovered cat poop on a potted plant? The issue is that once a cat begins to discharge itself in one location, it tends to stay there. Plant pots are appealing to cats because they are usually full of dirt, and cats enjoy digging when going to the bathroom.
This can be stopped by pebbles or loose stones. With a good covering on top of the dirt, your cat will have no desire to dig and destroy your plant.
Keep The Litter Box Clean
Cats do not need a reason to act out, and some will simply choose to be difficult. However, because of unclean litter, many of them will poop on plant pots. Cats are inherently clean and will not discharge themselves in an unclean environment. As a result, before you start pointing fingers, make sure you’re clean.
Keep Lemon Peels Close to The Plant
Cats do not like lemons or other citrus fruits like oranges. Throw fresh peels at the base of your plant on a regular basis to keep them away. They won’t like the ambience and will find other things to do than hang out.
Give Them Some Plants
Cat grass, thyme, mint, and catnip are all beneficial to your cats and will be greatly appreciated. If your cat can have its plants to chew on, you might be able to keep yours.
Conclusion
We won’t lie: there are no promises that anything will work, but here are tried-and-true cat-owning tactics that we hope will offer you and your plants some relief. Experiment with different things to see what works best for your feline, because what works for one cat may not work for another.
