Last Updated on March 11, 2023 by ellen
Wondering how to keep cats from pooping in houseplants? Check out these tips to keep your cat out of your potted plants.
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Table of Contents
How to Keep Cats from Pooping in Houseplants
Keeping cats out of your indoor plants can be a challenge. Cats eat plants and some cats poop in a potted plant rather than their litter box.
If you notice your cat suddenly pooping in plants with no changes in your household, speak to your vet.
Cat poop is bad for houseplants and it’s an unwanted behavior that can cause pest and odor problems in your home.
If your cat is eating plants, you must have only non toxic houseplants in your home. Growing plants is fun but you need to focus on cat friendly plants.
Other plants can be dangerous if your cat decides to eat them. Try growing cat grass. Many cats love nibbling on this every day.
Check your litter box
The first step is to be sure that the litter box is clean. Cats don’t want to use dirty litter boxes. So, they may look for indoor plants to poop in instead. Keep your litter box clean at all times.
Use two litter boxes
If you have more than one cat, consider using two litter boxes. Some cats don’t like sharing litter boxes and will find somewhere else to go like your potted plants.
It is best to stick with one type of cat litter rather than switching to a new brand regularly. If the smell or texture is different, your furry friends may prefer to use potting soil.
If your cat poops in your potted plants, try a few of these tips or get this cat repellant spray that works great for me. Cat owners have great success with it.
Why do cats poop in potted plants?
- Cats like to bury their feces; the potting soil in your potted plant provides a soft, dark substrate perfect for burying.
- Some cats don’t like the texture of the litter, so they opt for something softer.
- Kitties may poop in plants because of stress or anxiety.
Is it ok to let your cat poop in potted plants?
No. Cat droppings can spread harmful bacteria that can make people and pets sick.
Cat feces can also contain parasites such as roundworms, which are dangerous to humans.
In addition, the smell of cat poop in a houseplant will be hard to remove and could ruin your plant’s health.
Cat poop is bad for plants. They may kill the entire plant. Your cat will destroy the root system by digging in the dirt. It’s important to stop cats from pooping in places other than their litter box.
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Stop cats from pooping in houseplants
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep cats from pooping in your potted plants.
- Place a litter box next to the potted plants and encourage your cat to use it instead.
- Provide an alternative spot that your cat can scratch and dig without harming any of your plants.
- Keep small plants out of your cat’s reach if you see your cat eating your plants or pooping in the pot.
- Use plant protectors, such as netting or chicken wire, to create a physical barrier between the cat and the plant. This works well for a large potted plant.
- Place citrus-scented items, such as orange peels, around the plants to discourage cats from pooping.
- Spray a solution of vinegar diluted with water on the soil of your plants. Use a spray bottle to keep it handy. Cats don’t like the smell of vinegar, and it can help keep cats away from your plants.
- Provide extra stimulation for your cat. Make sure to provide plenty of playtimes, treats, and toys so your cat is kept busy and not tempted to dig in the dirt.
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How do you cat proof indoor plants?
- Move the plants to an inaccessible area, such as a high bookshelf or tall cabinet.
- Place items like small figurines or wind chimes on top of pots to keep cats away.
- Add horticultural oil to the soil around your plants to deter cats from digging and pooping in them.
- Place a motion detector noise distraction near the plants which will emit a sound or spray of water when triggered by movement.
- Line the bottom of pots with materials such as pebbles, gravel, or cedar chips to make it difficult for cats to dig and poop in the soil. Smooth river stones or white silicon desert stones work well.
- Add an artificial plant barrier like chicken wire around your plant pot to keep cats away.
- Try using a natural cat repellent like citronella oil or lemongrass essential oil around the plant.
- If all else fails, consider switching to pet-safe artificial plants. These look and feel like the real thing but don’t require the same level of maintenance as real plants.
What can I put around my house plants to keep cats away?
- Put a motion detector near the plants which will emit a sound or spray of water when triggered by movement.
- Line the bottom of pots with materials such as pebbles, gravel, or cedar chips to make it difficult for cats to dig and poop in the soil.
- Place pine cones or large stones around the base of your houseplant to discourage your cat from playing in it.
- Crumple up balls of aluminum foil to place around your potted plant pots. Cats dislike aluminum foil.
- Places the peels from citrus fruit in your potted plants. This works well as a cat repellent. Most cats dislike the concentrated oils from citrus plants.
Try a cat repellent spray with ingredients like lemongrass and citronella.
Add a few drops of essential oil to cotton balls, then place the cotton balls around your plants. Citrus essential oils can be especially effective for repelling cats.
Cover any exposed soil with chicken wire or netting to prevent cats from digging in them.
Keeping cats out of your potted plants takes time if they’ve been doing it for a whie. I really recommend this cat repellent spray to help.
By following these tips, you can successfully protect your houseplants from cats and keep your furry friend out of trouble. With a little bit of patience and the right techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy both cats and plants in your home once again.
Get my favorite repellent spray here.
Related Reading
Now that you know how to stop cats from pooping in houseplants, you may want to read these articles.
- How to grow cat grass
- Cat safe flower garden
- Creating a pet friendly garden
- Homemade dog repellent
- Homemade cat litter alternative
- Cat litter storage containers
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.