Keeping Cats Away

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by spinrah

I believe chillies are toxic to cats.

Probably better not use chilli if it is toxic to cats. On the other hand - if it's super powerful chilli ---- eg. carolina reaper ----- and if cats do react in the way that most people react ----- very quickly ------ then it's possible that they won't be continually eating. They'll probably get a very small sample ------ but powerful sample.

Maybe a protected tub of citronella (eg. protected cotton buds in a container dipped in lots of citronella) - placed in among the plants ------ could work Not sure.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Probably better not use chilli if it is toxic to cats. On the other hand - if it's super powerful chilli ---- eg. carolina reaper ----- and if cats do react in the way way that most people react ----- very quickly ------ then it's possible that they won't be continually eating. They'll probably get a very small sample ------ but powerful sample.

Maybe a protected tub of citronella (eg. protected cotton buds in a container dipped in lots of citronella) - placed in among the plants ------ could work Not sure.

They do sell special kinds of spray that have a small amount of rubbing alcohol in them to deter cats (not sure how I feel about the alcohol being in it, but apparently it dissipates when it's exposed to air, although the smell remains). But, my experience with these things again is that unless you're consistent enough to spray the plant on a regular basis the cats will always end up going back to it if they really want to.

I'm a bit of a crazy cat lady so I've tried all the tricks... the only thing that works is keeping the plant out of reach.

[Leafmite]

Perhaps keeping all the plants in a cage, reptile habitat (the type with the screens on the sides), wardian case, terrarium, etc. might be the easiest solution.

I have a very well-behaved, well-trained pup who, maybe once a year, twice at most, would go on a small orchid-destroying rampage. I lost a few very good, irreplaceable orchids. Now I keep the orchids on a shelf she cannot reach and, when they are outside for the summer, I accompany her outside. Most of the time, she left them alone so it did take me a little time to take action to keep them out of her reach.

---------- Post added at 02:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 AM ----------

If you want to deter the cat from eating plants with plants...Rue is one of the most bitter herbs and it can grow in a small pot as long as it is kept watered. When we had wild critters eating plants, I planted that and wormwood in the garden and it ended the problem.

[GrandpaUtz]

Whew thanks for all the replies! I got totally tied up at work and forgot to check back in.

After reading all this, I think I'll bring in the orchid and see how it goes. I have 2 cats, and only 1 is really interested in eating plants (I have a wandering jew and some shamrocks that he loves to chew on) - but from reading the replies I'm hopeful that he just doesn't give a care to the orchid. That's why I'm just starting back up with a big box store phal and not something rare/expensive/difficult.

I've tried the spray bottle before, but unfortunately for me, one of my cats is a Maine Coon and he loves the water and thinks it's a reward, and taught the other one not to fear the bottle lol

My house is very small (under 1000 sqft), so unfortunately there is nowhere that our cats can't reach/go - and this is the only window in the entire house that gets acceptable light that I can use! And there's absolutely no space for a grow light setup! lol - hope to someday build a greenhouse and keep my orchids out there, but for now I'm hoping I can get my hobby restarted just with my one little shelf under my window.

---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:59 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Interestingly - not all cats eat or damage plants and orchids. I have a cat at my place that sleeps on one of my orchids hehe ------ can see at (This was your URL that apparently I'm too new to post). That was really lucky that this one doesn't eat or chew orchids. Otherwise - I would have likely needed to try the 'spray bottle method'.

This is totally hilarious, and 100% something my cat would do. In fact, he almost killed my wandering jew when I brought it in for the winter doing exactly this! No vanilla orchids for me I guess!

[Dollythehun]

What about setting up a mini greenhouse on the table if you only have a few orchids. IKEA has one, and I'm sure you could improvise.

Be glad for your Maine Coon. I lost mine last October, one of the saddest days of my life. I'd trade all my orchids for another day with him.

[thefish1337]

my cat hates the smell of limonene (citrus oil), lavender, rosemary, mint really any common strong smelling essential oil. easy to spray over your collection as a deterrent. you can buy orange bathroom spray (pure orange oil) which works pretty good.

maybe some person in your life reached out to you on facebook and put you in an akward spot and 'convinced' you to buy essential oils and you aren't convinced of their healing properties. well now you have something you can use them for. just make sure to dilute heavily before spraying over your plants, and shake well to emulsify.