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Tips to keep cats away

15 years ago

I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion as to something I could use to deter my cats from some artificial plants. My cats will eat live or fake plants and I would really like to have an artificial arrangement on my dining room table. Is there something like an orange oil or something else that I can spray on it that will keep them away from it. Thanks!

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Comments (9)

petaloid
15 years ago
Orange oil is not a bad idea. Cats don't care for a citrus smell.
carmen_grower_2007
15 years ago
Get a coyote?
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User
15 years ago
kris, if your cats are indoors only, you might want to consider growing cat grass for them. Doing that keeps ours away from houseplants.
User
15 years ago
Try some bitter apple. Or do what irresponsible pet owners like carmen do and turn your critter out to the wilds to become part of the food chain.
krisfl
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone...
They are indoor kitties only and I've grown the grass for them, which they enjoy, but they still try to snack on my faux stuff!
I think I will try some bitter apple...thanks!
Here are some pictures of my big guys...

Max and Cody on the bed snoozing

Max taking a nap in the sun

Max and Cody hunting lizards through the window
joepyeweed
15 years ago
Oh, the big guy with the white chest looks exactly like my old josie cat...
emmhip
15 years ago
They are so cute!!!! I have a soft spot for Orange kitties.
dances_in_garden
15 years ago
Good luck. I have one who will eat any live plants, and another that doesn't descriminate between live and silk LOL.

I'll think I found a safe spot to put a faux arrangement, and it seems like it is being left alone. Then one day I will walk by and notice every single fake bloom has been stolen from the top of it's stem. ARGH! Of course, I can't help but laugh and that doesn't really help, does it?

Sometimes she will just take a piece here and there, not really enough to be noticed and I will move something (like a case of water on the basement floor) and find a little stash of assorted silk leaves and plastic buds and things. And pony tail holders. Lots of pony tail holders.

So now I live with no plants, or plants in inaccesible odd places.
fandlil
15 years ago
I have 2 suggestions, but they may not work if they are not appropriate because of the way they look. One is cactus -- cats generally stay away from them. If you find some that you like, that might be the answer. The other suggestion is Norfolk Pine. For some reason, cats don't go for it. But, of course, it's a tree, not exactly the right thing as a centerpiece for the dining room table.

Providing something green that cats strongly prefer sounds like a good idea. But I have a feeling that will only work if your cats are past that younger stage when they want to get into everything -- in other words, middle aged cats.

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