Cat solutions?

[leslie123]

That's kitty-cats, not cattleyas. I hope I put this in the right category - they are definitely pests when it comes to orchids.

Anybody else live with orchid-eating or orchid-destroying cats? How do you prevent cat damage?

Thanks!
Leslie

[fishmommy]

I grow in a closet under lights with the door closed, and in terrariums. Anything exposed gets eaten!

[WhiteRabbit]

I haven't had problems with this - but I have read to try growing some 'cat grass' (oat, wheat, barley) and/or catnip - leave those around

[Bud]

my kitty cat is barely a year old...it loves to play and when I water my vandas he loves to play with the hanging roots, he loves to grab on my little Neos and play...I just make it aware that the plant is not a toy...I leave it to explore the plants and I entice him with a real toy that flies and rattles...now he leaves the plants alone...you just have to learn how to play with them...they need attention too

[kmccormic]

Aaaa! I know what you mean. My cats have chewed the leaves on my oncidiums to pieces. The only place with any room and light is on a table by the window, and they perch there. They also love love love to poke bark out of the pots, so I come home and there's a whole bunch, littered on the floor. As long as they don't eat the flowers when those shoot up, I don't pay it much attention.

[Alyons]

I play with my cats a lot and make sure they are very stimulated but sometimes they still eat my orchids. Then they throw them up everywhere. I haven't really found a great solution to this problem yet! I started growing on those metal kitchen shelves under lights only on the higher shelves where they can't reach and lately it has been working better.

[Bud]

I found a new solution...when my cat jumps to the table by the window sill when I am spritzing...it gets sprayed with water if it comes near the orchids, it gets sprayed a couple of squirts...I got it a perch and if it is in the perch he doesnt get sprayed...so he discovered it is a safe place to be...and he doesnt go near the orchids for the past two weeks

[nenella]

All the cats I have ever had have @ first tried at least a 'nibble' at my plants.
I have found that as long as you teach them that house plants & orchids are a NO NO, but also give them access to eating grass and /or give them cat Malt they leave them alone!
the only reason cats 'munch' at plants is to get rid of hair & hair balls in their system
In fact the two cats I have even 'tell me' If I have forgotten a plant in water or if a pot has fallen! they let me know.... I also make sure they also come and have a 'sniff' at all plant new comers to the house & they love it!

[Discus]

I had visions of food processors and cats when I saw this thread title... Don't think that's the solution though.

Negative reinforcement like Bud suggests will probably work quite well. I've also seen products that are supposed to deter cats and dogs by scent, which may or may not work.

Giving the cat an alternative nibble (cat-grass, catnip, cat mint etc) that is kept somewhere away from any orchids might also help.

Final resort is physical barriers!

*makes mental note about potential cat pets and orchids*.