what can i put in my garden that wont harm cats to ... - Pet Forums

Quote:

im gettin a little fed up of my neighbours cat and i possibly my one cat messing in my one little flower bed. they keep digging my plants up while they are hole digging. i want to either put some cat repelant or plants they dont like in there to stop them but im not sure what plus i want something that isnt posionous to them or will harm them in any way just something that will make them leave it alone. i try and keep an eye on mine when they are out and they know to get out quick if they see me coming as when i used to catch them in it i would bring them inside so i think they think get out or mummys guna put us back inside and we cant stay out and play. i no its a wierd punishment but it seems to work. can any 1 sugest anything please ???

A few things I'd be tempted to try:

Chicken wire* (VERY effective when supported a cm or two off the ground, but laid right on the ground works too)

Mulch with:
relatively large pebbles or gravel*
pine cones (the hard ones)*
coffee grounds
lemon/lime/orange peels
clippings from thorny/spikey plants (roses, thistles, etc.)*

Plastic forks stuck tines-up fairly deeply into the soil, but definitely still visible (same idea as pigeon spikes)*

Powder or spray made to mimic predator pee odour (I wouldn't use it with resident cats though, they might perceive it as an intrusion and get stressed and/or more territorial)

Fake rubbery snakes (probably would be ineffective against keeping resident cats out, though)

Plectranthus caninus, as mentioned above, is also sold as "Coleus canina"
Rue, lavender, and pennyroyal may also act as cat-repellants (all very pretty plants, too!).

To take things a step further, I'd also suggest a "rabbit garden" approach in combination with one or more of the above: provide an alternative spot that's more attractive than your flower bed. A sacrificial arrangement of catnip and catgrass plants in the sun perhaps?

*Note that these things do hurt to step on! Most cats will avoid stepping on these things, and not get hurt. But if you've got a cat who doesn't look before they leap, I'd avoid these.

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