How To Keep Your Cat Away From Your Houseplants

In addition to health concerns, this destructive behavior in cats can damage both the home and the plant, says Marc Smith, DVM, MS, veterinarian and owner of Natchez Trace Veterinary Services in Nashville, Tennessee.

Although there’s no set-in-stone way to deter cats from plants, he says the best solution depends on your feline friend and setup at home.

Here are eight ways to kitty-proof your houseplants:

If your feline is a furry plant lover, moving your plants out of their reach can be a tremendous help.

“You can hang plants, put them in a greenhouse, or move them to a different room,” says Joey Lusvardi, an IAABC-certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Class Act Cats in Minneapolis.

Relocating your plants is an effective method, because it completely prevents your cat from getting to your greenery, especially if they’re highly motivated to get to them, he explains.

If you can’t move your plants, you’ll want to set up physical barriers to deter your cat.

Setting up a cat gate can restrict access from the area of your home where you keep your plant(s). However, many cats can jump over gates. You can also use mesh fencing or even chicken wire to protect your plants.

Soil is similar to litter, making it attractive to our furry friends to spend time doing, well, cat things in it.

Digging in dirt is an evolved trait in kitties that’s rooted in their natural instinct to bury waste, says Mieshelle Nagelschneider, cat behaviorist and owner of The Cat Behavior Clinic in Seattle.

To make it less inviting to dig in, she recommends using pea-size gravel or rocks to cover your soil to prevent your cat from getting into your plants.

Training your kitty companion to stay away from your plants can not only help keep your plants unscathed but also keep your cat safe.

When you notice them targeting your plants, redirect them to a cat tree or scratcher, and reward them with treats for playing with those items instead.

You can also try clicker training or use a puzzle feeder to keep them engaged.

Introducing your cat to outdoor leash walking is a wonderful way to enrich your cat’s life and help release pent-up energy from being indoors. Slowly take the steps to help them acclimate to wearing a harness and leash.

Introducing a variety of safe and fun enrichment activities for your cat is easy and provides the mental stimulation needed for your cat’s well-being and happiness—so they forget about investigating your houseplant.

Enrichment provides your cat a safe outlet for normal cat behaviors like scratching, scent-exploration, climbing, perching, resting, and owning their space. Options include:

• Cat tree
• Window perch
• Scratching post
• Cat tunnel
• Swapping out new cat toys daily
• Wall-mounted shelves
• Outdoor catio

Does your cat tend to nibble on your houseplants? Consider offering them an alternative, cat-safe plant to chew on, like The Cat Ladies organic pet grass seed.

“Cat grass is fairly easy to grow and can be a good way to give your cat a plant that’s acceptable to munch on instead,” Lusvardi says.

Lusvardi recommends short playtime sessions, ranging between five and 15 minutes, a few times a day to keep your cat happy. This helps them not feel the need to find their own amusement, which may include plant munching.

If your kitty is determined to investigate your greenery, the safest solution may be to swap out toxic houseplants for feline-friendly alternatives. That way, you can still have a green thumb and ensure your cat is safe.

Some common plants that are poisonous to cats include:

• Lilies
• Azaleas
• Tulips
• Oleander
• Daffodils
• Pothos
• Monstera
• Jade plants

“These plants can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild stomach upset to severe poisoning requiring hospitalization,” Dr. Smith says.

A few cat-safe plants to opt for include:

• Orchids
• String of hearts
• Ric rac cacti
• Gerbera daisies
• Spider plants
• Bromeliads
• Money trees
• Bamboo palms

It’s important to note that even non-toxic plants can lead to digestive upset and diarrhea if they’re consumed in large amounts, Dr. Smith says.

Not only can digging in plant pots be destructive to your plants, but it can also pose risks to your cat.

“The soil of houseplants can sometimes contain harmful material, such as fertilizers, mold, or pesticides,” Dr. Smith says. “Keeping your cat away from this soil is imperative for both the health of the plant and the health of your cat.”

Here’s how to prevent your cat from digging in your plant pots:

• Cover the soil with cat-friendly decorative materials. You can use options like decorative stones and aluminum foil, or natural materials like pine cones. These materials won’t be as fun for cats to dig into and can act as decoration. Lusvardi has also had clients take a DIY approach and turn a Frisbee into a soil cover.
• Add sticky materials. Double-sided tape, for example, could deter your cat from digging in the soil.
• Keep the pots out of reach when possible. Placing pots on high shelves or tall plant stands can make it more difficult for cats to get to.

Has your four-legged friend decided they’re going to make your plants their new potty spot? To deter your cat from using the plants as a litter box, it’s important to first determine why they’re doing it, Dr. Smith says.

A few possible reasons why a cat might resort to using plants as a litter box include:

• The litter box is unclean.
• The litter box is in an inconvenient location.
• They don’t like the texture or scent of the litter.
• There aren’t enough litter boxes in the home. (A general rule is at least one litter box per cat in a multi-cat home.)

Try these tips to keep your cat from using your potted plants as their personal toilet:

• Keep the litter boxes up to your cat’s high standards. Avoid common litter box mistakes.
• Use a natural deterrent. Sprinkle citrus peels or coffee grounds around the base of the plant, as cats dislike these scents.
• Place decorative rocks, pebbles, or plastic mesh on top of the soil. These kinds of materials create a not-so-comfy surface that discourages your cat from digging and urinating. You can use Frisco river rock gravel or Pure Water Pebbles gravel.
• Place the plant near a litter box. This encourages your cat to use their litter box and gives them an acceptable outlet for this behavior.
• Repot the plant. Repotting the plant in a tall, narrow pot so the soil doesn’t have as much of a surface area can be less appealing to your cat.

While many cats dislike mint scents, essential oils—specifically peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree—can be toxic to cats and should be avoided.

If you have a kitty who’s adamant on getting into your houseplants, Lusvardi says the first step should always be figuring out what your cat is getting from the behavior you don’t like—and addressing the underlying reason for the behavior, whether it be boredom, wanting attention, or a health-related cause.