Cats often dig and defecate in potted plants. Sometimes cats also bite the stems and leaves of plants so that it interferes with the health of the plants you care for. If you want to keep your cat away from potted plants, there are several steps you can take. You can put up barriers to keep your cat away from plants, improve her behavior, or find alternative solutions.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Installing Barriers
Step 1. Use rocks
If you're trying to keep your cat away from potted plants, the barrier method may be the best option. Some cat owners even feel that the use of rocks as a barrier is actually an attractive and beautiful choice.
- Spread the rock around the base of the plant and make sure you don't crush the stems or lift the roots of the plant. When you water your plants, water can easily run through the gaps between the rocks and into the soil. Of course, your cat can't dig or defecate in the pot because the rocks are blocking its access to the potting soil.
- You can collect big rocks from outside. If you want to use rocks of a specific design (or match a specific color scheme), try ordering rocks (whether coral, pebbles, or artificial gemstones) from the internet.
Step 2. Try using clam shells
You can also use clam shells instead of rocks. Cover the soil around the potted plant with clam shells and create a unique barrier that allows water to pass through. You can collect seashells at the beach or buy them in stores or online.
Step 3. Place the pinecones in the pot
Pines can also keep cats away from potted plants. Cover the soil around the plant with pinecones. Like shells and rocks, pinecones prevent cats from using soil. However, water can still flow through the gaps between the fruit and into the soil. You can collect pinecones when you are outdoors or elsewhere, whenever you see them.
Pines are sometimes lighter than clam shells or rocks, so your cat may remove the pinecones if she wants to use the soil or nibble on your plants
Step 4. Cover the soil around the plant with foil
Usually cats do not like to walk on aluminum foil because of the slippery surface. Therefore, you can cover the soil around the plant with foil and lift the paper up when you need to water the plant. This method is quite simple. However, many people do not like the appearance of the pot after the soil in the pot is coated with the paper.
Step 5. Try using double sided adhesive tape
Your cat may not like it if its paws get sticky. If you don't like how the pot looks after the soil has been coated with foil, try using double-sided adhesive tape instead to cover the soil around the plant. While it can lift soil, it won't lift the plant's roots (or at least it won't lift too many roots). Just like when you use foil, you need to remove the adhesive tape before watering the plants.
Some cats tend to like to chew or eat plastic. If you know that your cat has previously eaten or chewed on plastic bags or plastic wrap, this method may not be the right choice. Don't let your cat eat the adhesive tape and get sick after eating it
Method 2 of 3: Finding Alternative Solutions
Step 1. Use a citrus scent as a cat repellent
Many people report that cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits. Therefore, try soaking a few cotton balls in the juice of a lime, orange, or lime. After that, place the cotton balls around the plant. This will hopefully prevent the cat from getting close to your potted plant. Change the cotton balls periodically when the citrus smell begins to fade or your cat begins to approach the plant again.
Always use real fruit juices instead of using citron scent spray products that contain citron oil extract (sometimes referred to as Limonene or Linalool). The extract is widely contained in perfumes, insecticides, and shampoos. If ingested, the extract can cause poisoning in cats. Therefore, it would be better if you use safer products to prevent unwanted things
Step 2. Try using substances with a strange or unpleasant taste
If your cat often nibbles on potted plants, try spraying the plant with a substance or liquid that has an unpleasant taste. Cats don't like the taste of chili sauce, aloe vera gel, chili powder, and bitter apple. Therefore, mix one of these substances or materials with water and put the solution in a spray bottle. After that, spray (lightly only) the plants and pots with the mixture. Spray several times a week. In this way, your cat will eventually associate the plant with the unpleasant taste so that it will stay away from it.
It's a good idea to spray the liquid on a small leaf first. After that, watch for any negative effects from spraying to make sure you don't damage the plants
Step 3. Surprise your cat to get him away from the plant
If you see it begin to approach a plant, you can scare it away with startling noises. Try ringing a bell or blowing a whistle. You can also put a few coins in an empty can and shake the can. Try using any device or device at your disposal to scare your cat when it gets close to a plant. While this method requires vigilance as you will have to watch or watch your cat closely, it is effective at keeping cats away from plants if used regularly.
- You can also use silly traps (cat-safe ones, of course). For example, place a motion detection device near plants that can produce noise or flashes of light when the device detects movement in its surroundings. You can also stack a few cans of soda near the plants which could fall on your cat if she walks past them.
- If your cat tends to be timid, don't use this method. You need to surprise him, but don't scare him. If he's feeling stressed, there's a good chance he may exhibit unwanted behaviors.
Step 4. Give your cat a plant for herself
Sometimes cats like to nibble or eat plants. If your cat likes to eat plants, it will be difficult to keep them away from your plants. Therefore, try buying potted plants that are safe for cats at a pet store or supermarket. These plants can attract a cat's attention and encourage it to nibble and eat plant leaves.
- Place plants or grass for cats where cats frequent. If you place the plant near his bed or bowl of food or drink, he will think it was given to him.
- If your cat has her own plants to enjoy, she probably won't be very interested in your potted plants.
Step 5. Hang your plants
If your cat doesn't seem to be afraid of barriers or repellent devices, and the training doesn't work to keep them away from plants, you need to keep the plants out of their reach. Head to your local hardware store (eg Ace Hardware) and purchase pot hanging hooks to hang plants on a wall or ceiling. In addition to keeping cats away from plants, many people like the beauty of hanging plants.
If your cat likes or is good at climbing, try buying an unused birdcage and placing plants in it. Apart from preventing cats from getting close to or damaging your plants, this can also be a unique and interesting decorating trick that can add some color to your home
Method 3 of 3: Improving Cat Behavior
Step 1. Encourage your cat to use the litter box
If he uses a potted plant as a toilet, you will need to encourage him to use the litter box. There are several reasons why cats are reluctant or dislike their litter box. Therefore, try to work on some of the issues that might be triggering the reluctance or dislike.
- Keep the toilet box clean. Cats do not like to use dirty litter to urinate (both small and large). If the litter box is not clean, your cat will use other items around the house to relieve himself. Therefore, try to clean the litter box at least once a day.
- Make sure your cat can reach or use the litter box easily. Boxes with sides or walls that are too high make it difficult for the cat to climb up the box to get in and out. If you put the litter box in an area that's often closed, your cat won't be able to find the litter box when he needs to use it. Similarly, if the litter box is placed in an open or noisy place. Your cat may be embarrassed or afraid to use the box if the environment is too open or noisy.
- If you have more than one cat, you will need to prepare an additional litter box. Sometimes cats want to "master" their own litter box. Therefore, the presence of an additional litter box can encourage the cat to defecate in the box provided so that he does not need to use a plant pot as a place to urinate.
- Try using a different type of litter. Cats are quite sensitive to the litter used and may not like certain types or brands of litter. If your cat has trouble using the litter box, try using a litter product with a milder (or odorless) odor. Keep in mind that many cats don't like smelly litter, so the cat will probably defecate elsewhere.
Step 2. Give your cat a reward if she manages to stay away from the plant
In general, cats respond better to positive reinforcement than to negative reinforcement. If you see him walking away from the potted plant and leaving it alone, reward the behavior.
- Watch your cat when he is near plants. If he manages to get past the plant without digging the ground, give him a compliment. Call her name gently and give her a treat or attention as a reward for avoiding or abandoning the plant.
- Always reward your cat after he has passed the plant without doing any damage or defecating in the pot. Animals have short memories and focus solely on the present (in this case, what is happening). In order for your cat to understand what behavior is considered good or desirable, you need to praise it when it displays the desired behavior.
- As much as possible stay consistent. Even if you can't keep an eye on or look after the plant all the time, try rewarding your cat every time you see it manage to leave or stay away from a plant. This helps reinforce the behavior.
Step 3. Don't punish your cat if he digs or pees in potted plants
Cats don't respond well to punishment, and usually can't associate yelling, anger, or punishment with certain behaviors. When punished, the cat may feel agitated or frightened, so that it will behave even worse. If you see him climbing into a plant pot, it's a good idea to distract him with a toy or other activity rather than scolding him.
Step 4. Provide more entertainment for your cat
The negative behavior your cat exhibits may be due to boredom, which can also cause stress and anxiety. If your cat isn't feeling active enough at home, there's a good chance that it will dig up potted plants as an activity. Therefore, try to provide him with more toys so that such behavior does not occur.
- Take time every day to play with it. Try to spend about 20 to 30 minutes playing with your cat every day. You can drag the string or string along the floor so he can catch up. You can also throw toys for him to chase. One of the most popular toys used by cat owners is a fur toy. This toy is made of a piece of string with a feather attached to one end and can swing.
- You also need to provide him with toys he can play with on his own. This way, he won't feel bored when you're not at home. Try buying a toy mouse or bird that he can chase and catch himself. In addition, interactive puzzle toys can also be a fun option. With the toy, you can put small pieces of food or treats inside the toy and your cat will need to figure out how to get to them.
- Some companies sell stimulating or relaxing video DVDs that you can play on your television when you're not at home. This way, your cat will stay entertained when no one is home.
- Make sure he has access to look out the window. Cats love to see wild animal life and outdoor activities.
