Cats vs orchids

[Salixx]

I have found the best solution is a bait plant. My cat much prefers spider plants and cat grass to the orchids.

[estación seca]

Ha ha ha. Just a couple of weeks ago I observed cats could be a problem around orchids and I got shouted down by all sorts of crazy cat ladies and gentlemen.

The only solution that works is keeping cats out of the orchid growing room. Just be glad you don't have javelina in the house.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Ha ha ha. Just a couple of weeks ago I observed cats could be a problem around orchids and I got shouted down by all sorts of crazy cat ladies and gentlemen.

The only solution that works is keeping cats out of the orchid growing room. Just be glad you don't have javelina in the house.

Just to be clear...you said all cats destroy plants...that is what prompted the responses. Yes, some cats eat plants...as do some dogs, but not ALL of them.

[Dollythehun]

I understand that you might mean this as a joke, ES. However, I have never said an unkind word in this board about dog owners. Every pet, scaled or furry, has it's draw backs. In nature, dogs and cats eat grassy plants to clear their digestion, and you know this. Because we love our pets, we work around them and even in jest, we shouldn't be calling anyone "crazy." The OP wanted suggestions, not color commentary.

[jkofferdahl]

While I agree with most of what ES says, I also have to agree that NOT all cats destroy plants. Comatose cats don't. And I'll also admit that the occasional, rare, psychotic dog might potentially occasionally cause minimal damage to an orchid as well. The only sure way to keep cats out of orchids is to not allow the cats to be around them in the first place. Again, I encourage the use of electric shock.

[Leafmite]

Dogs can be just as destructive as cats where plants are concerned. My American Eskimo, in her prime, could jump quite high to get and destroy ti plants that I tried to hang out of her reach. Lately, she has been going after my 'indoor' ever-bearing mulberry bush. She has decided that she is old and going to enjoy the time she has so when she wants to do something, she does it. Fortunately, all her infractions are minor and pretty funny.

My Maltese poodle not only shreds orchids but she has also knocked them over. I gave up putting my orchids outside because of her. I keep them on a shelf indoors, out of her reach. Most of the time, she is great but no amount of careful training has convinced her that she should NEVER touch the plants. She does know I do not like my plants destroyed but she is an imp and unrepentant. :|

I have heard of larger dogs sweeping plants off of lower tables and shelves with their tails and others knocking them over as they accidentally bounded into the shelves or tables when excited or to bark out of a window.

The only pet I have ever had that was perfect with the plants after being trained was our bunny. Our rabbit could be free in the home or outside and she would sniff the potted plants but never eat them. She decided that anything that grew in the ground that appealed to her was fair game, though.

I think the way to keep pets out of plants is to keep them out of reach of the pet. For cats, this might mean putting the plants in a cage or glass enclosure and for a dog, this might mean putting them on a shelf where the dog cannot reach.

[Dollythehun]

Salixx had a hanging shelf idea that was quite good. Also my husband suggested a white mesh net like you use for peas to pull across our shelves. We have had good success with Amber Listerine and generally don't have trouble, unless, like leafmite, damage is done to get our attention and or revenge for not getting their way. The idea of shock ( which is supposed to shock me) isn't new. Dr Fosters and Smith sells scatt mats and I have used that successfully. We also have a Dazzer which emits a high frequency sound, again, successfully. However, we seldom need such things. You can also buy a device that duts on a shelf and emits either sound or air it water and is motion activated. There are lots of solutions besides being petless.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I have heard of larger dogs sweeping plants off of lower tables and shelves with their tails and others knocking them over as they accidentally bounded into the shelves or tables when excited or to bark out of a window.

As a former owner of two English mastiffs (who have sadly passed) I can approve this message
Super calm but, my god, those tails. and my baby boy was never entirely aware of his size...

[NikkiM]

Good morning to all. I had to comment because I have an 85lb pitbull who has never destroyed any plants in the home. I keep all my orchids inside and have never had a problem. Unfortunately, I cannot grow anything outside since he thinks they are his personal objects and marks everything! My children are the ones I have to keep an eye on! They like to throw things at each other, even though they are not allowed to.

Maybe for the cat, buy or grow some cat grass.

[estación seca]

This isn't dogs vs cats. Any animals can destroy plants. Best to keep animals out of the growing room.