New kittens are obsessed with plants. They want the leafy greens, doesn't matter if its non-toxic, he'll chew it until he vomits everywhere. So far, I've let go of a lot of them and are down to these few that I've got a hard time parting with. I don't want an outdoor green house, seeing my plants make me happy. I can't lock the cats out since I also like having them around. This is my solution right now with packaging tape around all the corners since that's the only thing that annoys them. I'm hoping someone has a better idea. Thoughts? I thought orange scents would stop them but they chewed on my orange tree (that I've gotten rid of).
by Real-Jeweler5177
15 Comments
Have you considered offering him some spinach or other leafy green. Or perhaps a cat grass plant of their very own?
Cats can do no wrong 🥹
Ahah I’m not the only one to put my plants in a cage 😂😂
When I got my kitten last year, she was also super curious about my plants. Was constantly jumping onto my plant shelf. I ended up [buying mesh fabric and draping it over my entire plant shelf](https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/comments/1eku07s/when_you_adopt_a_cat_and_have_to_catproof_your/) so that she could no longer jump onto it. After a few days of her attempting but ultimately failing to climb onto the shelf and get to the plants, she lost all interest in my plants. I ended up removing the mesh a few weeks later, and other than a haworthia that she and my dog both love to pull out of the pot for whatever reason, she’s so no interest whatsoever in my plants. She’ll occasionally just go and sit by my plant shelf and stare at the plants, but she’s never again tried to get onto it.
I’d only recommend trying this, though, if you are able to monitor your kitties around the mesh full time (I work from home, so I was able to).
Other than that, giving them a plant of their own, such as cat grass, may work. Just direct their attention to the plant they’re allowed to mess with when they show interest in your plants.
I have my plants in an old aquarium and some Ikea cabinets with grow lights
Brilliant!
can you start growing some cat grass for them to nibble on elsewhere and maybe they’ll learn moderation? (faint hope)
https://preview.redd.it/indq4ahq8j0g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85f833a7720d822b92d72a39e1e5096f83f38aac
I caged my plants too! For me I zip-tied plastic fencing around my plant shelves. Aside from the sacrificial ponytail palm on the floor lol.
Just today a co-worker tried to get me to take two young Bengals that were surrendered with her rescue. She knows I’ve talked about how neat Bengals are, and she knows I’m a great dog owner already so she hitme up first. I told her I didn’t think they would be compatible with my current pets. She assured me they’d been exposed to small dogs, and I had to tell her I was talking about my plants… in every room at nearly every level. 😆
🤣 I can so relate to this!
My female cat doesn’t care about my plants at all, but my male cat is obsessed. As soon as he sees me get out the watering can, he’s right there to “help.” He eats them, plays with them, lays in the them, and LOVES to dig in them!
I’ve given him cat grass and he loved it, but it didn’t slow down his interest in my plants.
Anyway… I’ve got them strategically placed at the moment, but I do have a few that are still within his reach. I put in bird spikes a few months ago, and they’ve worked really well! He’s obsessed, but not especially bright, lol.
https://preview.redd.it/txn93c16zj0g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7dd28cfc1cf417983261d3b2d8544ca90deca226
I sooner put the cat in a cage than the plants.
I stand by Grannick’s Apple Bitter spray. Probably spray it every 3-4 days on the plants that are accessible to my cat. Harmless to the planties and keeps my cat from chewing
My mind is blown! Why have I not thought of this? I moved my plants to a room that had good light, but not the best light, because of the kittens, and I just keep that door shut. Amazing!
Must touch the plants!!! 😼
JIC you don’t know already, palms are right up there with airplane plants for cats- they want to eat that business SO bad!! Keep a special eye on that one, especially since it’s technically free-range right now!