Some indoor plants contain toxic substances for your cat (asparagus, cyclamen, poinsettia, philodendron…). This is why it should be kept away from it. Besides, you love your plants. So, it’s heartbreaking to see him scratching the ground with his sharp claws and nibbling the leaves (not to mention the cat who does his business every day in the middle of the garden plantations for a good marking). After all, even if your cat is king here, that’s still no reason to damage your beloved plants! If you can’t live without either, here are a few grandmother’s tricks to avoid disasters. It’s not much, but these pet-safe repellents can make a difference in keeping cats away. In the meantime, give your cat a box!
We reassure you: if neighborhood cats often come to destroy your vegetable garden and urinate there, many repellent plants and natural solutions that are safe for the animal also exist. Medicinal aromatic plants (peppermint, rosemary, etc.) can, for example, be planted to chase away small undesirables that are harmful to the health of the garden. On to remedies!
1) Mustard water to prevent your cat from destroying your plants
Do you like mustard with your andouillette? Your cat does not. He prefers sausage alone. For what ? Because he doesn’t like mustard and can’t stand the smell which makes it a real cat repellent. Do not hesitate to pour a tablespoon of mustard in a spray bottle containing 500 ml of warm water. Then spray this mixture on the leaves of your plants to repel your feline. Above all, remember to shake the bottle well before use on your flower pots prone to scratches.
2) Coffee grounds
As you know, coffee grounds are excellent natural fertilizer. But what you might not know is that you could be getting a double hit. Your cat has a weak point: it is too clean. He often licks his paws… especially when he walks in the marc! He will then find a very bitter unpleasant taste. Your cat is intelligent: if the experience is unpleasant once, it will not come back.
3) Citrus peel to keep the cat away from plants
The cat does not support too strong repellent odors of citrus peel (lemons, etc.). So place some bark on the soil of your plant. As they break down, they will give off a stronger scent that should keep Hooch and her powerful sense of smell at bay. In addition, you will fertilize the earth. Double hit. On the other hand, avoid using an essential oil (eucalyptus, officinal lavender, lemongrass, etc.), these essences being toxic natural solutions for felines.
4) Pepper
Don’t have mustard? Take pepper. You’ve sniffed pepper before, either out of curiosity or out of defiance. And you didn’t like it. Neither does your cat. So deposit a little ground black pepper on the ground. Then repeat to renew the effectiveness of the mixture. You can also spray pepper water as a very effective repellent. Another useful spice, cinnamon sticks can be planted in the ground to hinder your cat’s access to plants!
5) Cacti and shells
It’s a bit drastic, but it’s an effective solution. To keep Barney away from plants, you can also make access difficult. The goal here is not to put rusty nails everywhere (you’re not like that!), but you could, for example, have small cacti, large pebbles or pretty seashells. The contact between the pads of his paws and the limestone residues will be particularly unpleasant for your little feline. And if flirting with your plants is an unpleasant experience, your cat will look elsewhere.
Note, remember that bleach is very popular with cats. Also, it is better to avoid using it near your beloved plants or risk attracting them. For cleaning, prefer the white vinegar that repels them and acts as a good anti-saltpetre on the pots. In addition, many of these natural products can be used on indoor and outdoor locations. It is therefore also useful to keep away some stray cats and neighborhood cats that come to relieve themselves in your plants. Your roses, beds, flowerbeds and your lawn will say thank you!
You can also create a natural, non-hazardous repellent for cats to spray in strategic places.
