Use Tin Foil to Deter Cats from House Plants

By

SheresaJ

Just five minutes ago I caught my wonderful, adorable, un-trouble making kitten in the same potted plant for the millionth time, dirt on the floor, foil torn to shreds. I find he can't seem to help himself after we've watered. Being an indoor cat he seems to love anything that smells like outside (coats, shoes, dirt, xmas tree) and the dirt smells stronger moist. I'm starting to wonder if I'll have to get rid of my plants :( I love them as much as him! I will definitely try the pebble/rock thing though. But foil, for my family, did not work! I think he's got a mind of his own and is going to dig where he feels like it. Trouble, trouble, trouble.

By Herb (Guest Post)

I have a Bengal cat that loves to play with tin foil. A co-worker of mine told me to try this tin foil method and it simply did not work for her. She enjoyed the crinkly noise that it made and proceeded to drag it all around the apartment and finally tore it to little pieces. I'm still finding little bits after about a month. She doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, not even the vacuum cleaner.

By (Guest Post)

My cat loves to play with tin foil, so this tip wouldn't work.

By

ashleybunkin

Cats HATE the smell of oranges. Just put a few orange peels on top of the soil and they will not go near it. This is also great for flower beds outside. I have used this tip for years now. ~Janette~

By Deeda in Seattle (Guest Post)

Foil is pretty ugly. We had the same problem, but the best way we found is to collect smooth rocks from the beach or river (or buy, I suppose) and place them on top. It's attractive, and still lets the soil get water and fertilizer. It's like a mulch that the cats don't want to dig into!

By

catastrofy

This is easier if you use a foil pie pan...just cut a slit to the center and a hole in the middle to fit around your plant's stem, fold down the cut edges so they won't damage your plants, and slide it on...UPSIDE DOWN.....I find the ones with the tiny holes all over the pie pan work best....stops the cats from using the dirt for litter...but doesn't stop mine from eating the plants!!! I had to hang all my plants from the ceiling...so I have my own private "hanging garden"!!