Keeping the cat away from houseplants

[Sunny]

How do I keep my cat away from houseplants? A friend suggested mothballs, but those things have unpleasant smell. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[opabinia51]

Don't have any botanical solutions for you. We just keep the plants in places that are either to high or to awkward for the cat (formerly cats) to get at.
Also, everytime I catch a cat near one of my plants.... he gets a little slap and a stern warning. Sorry I can't be of better help.

You could try doing a google search for botanical cat repellents or plants that cats.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I don't like the slap thing so much as they begin to resent you directly; I have had great luck with a squirt bottle (I also use for misting); just turn to stream and apply to cat! They don't associate it with you and it makes a BIG impression every time!

Scott

[Grey]

Make him a housecat? LOL

Give him his own bed of catnip and other kitty favorites so maybe he leaves your plants alone?

[NZG]

I bet your bottom dollar Cayenne Pepper will do the trick.

[The Helpful Gardener]

N.Z. has a good solution; no physical harm, but you'd have a hard time convincing the cat of that...

I do raise cat grass (winter wheat) for mine every year and they do chomp that to the exclusion of all else. Remember, they eat to satisfy cravings, so consider this a cry for veggies...

[Sunny]

Hi guys! Thanks for your help. My cat is very much a housecat, and the house plants are the ones catching his interest, especially my Gloxinia the leaves of which he loves to nibble on.

You mentioned Cayenne Pepper. How do I use it? Should I sprinkle some on the soil around the plant?

Can we grow cat grass inside the house?

[NZG]

Yes, just sprinkle it over the area you don't want your cat digging in.

Has worked for us many times before, both with cats and dogs.

[JulieR]

I have seen a TV program where you plant winter wheat,(Thanks Scott for mentioning it because I had forgotten exactly what they had planted!) in a large flat container, such as the bottom of a big clay pot. It grows quickly, and can just be left on the floor for the cat's "gastronomical enjoyment".

[Marge]

I have written about this in the Organic board ... use orange peel or prickly bits of berberis!

[Sunny]

Thank you for your advice, everybody!

The cat is not digging, but he is nibbling on the leaves. I'll be sure to try out your suggestions and see which one works best for him. thanks again.

[wingdesigner]

I agree with squirtbottles--longer range and better accuracy than a squirtgun! I wouldn't begrudge a few aloe leaves to kitty; but most everything else is highly toxic, so don't lapse in your discipline. Most cats are like two-year-old-teenagers: "No" means "try later"... Most of the rest of the suggestions also work, depending on the temperament of the cat, and the human(s). Try "bitter apple" spray, also; it's sold to keep animals from picking at bandages and such. Our house has 3 cats/2 dogs; with lifetimes of experience with each. One cat got into the diffenbachia and found out why it's called "dumb cane"! He survived, and after being whisked to the vet, along with the plant, didn't try that again! Rots o' ruck, and Happy Gardening!

Wingdesigner

[The Helpful Gardener]

The Bitrex often sold as a deer repellent is a bittering agent and may work just as well (while being a bit cheaper...)

HG

[Guest]

Boy! am I glad I'm not Sunny's cat! Using cayenne pepper on an unsuspecting animal @#!! Who would even think of such a thing - and I don't care if it works - its cruel.

Be kind and run that pepper thing past your vet ~ or ~ better yet spread a little of that pepper on your kitchen counter, and when you get a bit of it in your eye, mouth or nose, and only then, decide if that is what you want to expose your cat to. I know of no cat owner who doesn't have a few funny cat tails to tell about their cat and houseplant. Well, funny now anyway. Forget the pepper~ pitch the plant~ keep the cat.

[NZG]

Boy! am I glad I'm not Sunny's cat! Using cayenne pepper on an unsuspecting animal @#!! Who would even think of such a thing - and I don't care if it works - its cruel.

Be kind and run that pepper thing past your vet ~ or ~ better yet spread a little of that pepper on your kitchen counter, and when you get a bit of it in your eye, mouth or nose, and only then, decide if that is what you want to expose your cat to. I know of no cat owner who doesn't have a few funny cat tails to tell about their cat and houseplant. Well, funny now anyway. Forget the pepper~ pitch the plant~ keep the cat.

I think you're taking this the wrong way.

There is NO harm to any animal when it is put on the ground (NOT the animal!) that you don't want your cat or dog to dig.

I have used cayenne pepper many times when teaching my cats or dogs not to dig in a specific area and have never had one ill effect of using it. They take one sniff, and never return. Simple easy solution.