How can I stop my kitty from messing in the plants?

For the last week I noticed that Neville hasn't been using his litter tray (hoorah), but I'm leaving it down a bit longer just in case, because he hadn't been using his tray I presumed that at long last he's going outside, that was, until yesterday when I was going around watering the indoor plants to notice that in one of the pots, was a couple of poo's, I presume that he is probably going outside as well and being used to the soil outside, he's now decided to use soil (ie, indoor plant) opposed to his litter, suggestions please on how to stop him doing toilets in the indoor plants and not doing it elseswhere in the house.

How can I stop my kitty from messing in the plants?
Cats prefer using soft earth as it's easier for them to dig, which is why they will often choose a neighbour's well kept garden as their toilet, or in your case, potted plants. Is the soil in your garden soft enough for him to dig? If not, dig over a small patch with a fork to encourage him to use that area of the garden.



You could try covering the soil of the indoor plants with pebbles or small stones so that your kitten cannot access the soil (works with our two). Cats don't like the smell of menthol or eucalyptus oil, so you could put a few drops of that on the pebbles/stones as a further deterrent.



I understand that you're pleased that he's stopped using his litter tray, but it might be worthwhile considering allowing him to continue to use it instead of going outside to the toilet. I suggest this for a couple of reasons;



* In bad weather or during the night time, he needs somewhere to be able to go to the toilet.

* Not everyone is a cat lover and it eliminates the possibility of any of your neighbours becoming annoyed with him using their garden as a toilet.

* It also means that you will be aware of any changes in his toileting habits, which can be an early warning of health problems.



Good luck.
Reply:I have an indoor cat w/ the same prob - it will use it's litter box, but it also likes to pee in the plant. So the fact that it's an indoor %26amp; outdoor cat has nothing to do w/ it. Besides that, I have no advice, cuz I'm trying to figure this one out myself.
Reply:Try using aluminium foil. Surround the area of your plants with the foil. Ive read in a book that cats are scared of the foil so that should keep them away. My cat never had this problem, so I cannot guarantee that it will work, but it might be worth a try if all else fails?
Reply:Put orange peel down, cats hate the smell of this.
Reply:bitter apple spray, or orange peals. they don't like any of these. you can get the bitter apple spray at a pet store.
Reply:Put a lot of pepper in the plants' pots. I had this problem once and when I put a good layer of pepper in in the soil, it worked great and the cats never used it again.



But...you should have a litterbox in the house when Neville is going to be locked up in the house. I personally feel cats are much better off being in the house, where they are safer from predators, mean people, disease and chemicals.

At this point, it sounds like Neville is getting things mixed up. If he goes out, he finds himself a patch of dirt to do his business, he comes home..he does what he does outside, forgetting what the purpose of the litterbox is. When he is home and in for the night, keep him locked up with his litterbox until you are sure he is using it.
Reply:My cat goes indoor and outdoor and shes fine with the changes, she mostly goes outdoors but when she sleeps indoors at night she uses the litterboxes fine, and we do have plants indoors.

Maybe you should change the soil for the indoor plants, because it may be similiar to the outdoor soil you have.

I would try the tea bags and the orange peel, because that sounds really useful.

But I think the important thing is catching him in the act, make sure you have a spray bottle handy. Cats are quick to learn, and if you catch him and spray him maybe once or twice chances are he'll learn.

Also reintroduce him to the litter box, put him in there and then take his paws and dig for him. Do that three or four times and dont change the position of the litterbox, leave it in the same room. Otherwise thats just confusing for the poor thing.

Good luck with everything.
Reply:Either put moth balls in the plant (I know-stinky but it works!) or go to the pet store %26amp; get cat repellent. You have to make sure the repellent is safe for plants. Mine does the same thing every fall when I bring my plants in for the winter %26amp; the ONLY thing that keeps her out is moth balls! BTW, I tried orange peels %26amp; she tried to eat them! Good luck!
Reply:Keep him inside and let him use the litter box. An outdoor cat is SO much more suceptible to disease or injury. If you love your cat and want to protect him, you'll keep him inside where can be safe.



Right now you're sending him mixed messages on where to go to the bathroom. That's not going to help him. He needs to know that the litterbox is the place to go and you need to make sure you keep it clean for him.
Reply:ew.
Reply:I had this problem with my cat. I had ficus trees with big pots. I took chicken wire and used it to cover all the bare dirt area. Problem stopped immediately because there was no place for her to walk. Plus, the chicken wire allows you to still water.
Reply:I'd use some 20mm (3/4") pebbles from your local garden centre around the base of the plants. He won't be able to dig down then. About ￡5 for a large (25kg) bag.



It stopped the neighbourhood cats from digging up my flower beds.
Reply:Well there is no way you can "train" a cat not to do it, if he wants to he will! but try putting sticks around the base of the plants, cats aren't so keen on getting spikes up their bums- this works because mine did the same thing. (Though now she has transferred her doings to the bath tub, have tried everything to stop her, but the only thing that works is leaving an inch or so of water in the bottom. She has two litter trays and has always used them in the past, and I'm sure she will again.) I'd keep the litter tray anyway, as cats don't like going out in the rain much either! As for keeping cats indoors if you truly love them- well, if you really love your cats, then have them vaccinated every year then they can go out whenever they like with no risk of catching anything, neutering them is a good idea too.
Reply:put some old cd's down shiny side up or a small bottle with some water in it. cats dont trust the shiny reflective sudden movements and they stay away.
Reply:Remove the soiled dirt and replace it with new dirt but put lemon peel in with it, this won't harm the plant, but will deter the cat from using it as a toilet as they hate the smell of citrus
Reply:How about putting some soil in your cats litter tray....a bit messier but it will save your plants.

My cat starting using my flower bed in the garden and I tried everything to stop her but it didnt work...if they need to go they just go!!!! Recently tho I have spotted her coming back from my neighbours garden and mine is smelling nicer ;)
Reply:Think the chicken wire idea is v good, as is CD one! What I do know is that mine HATE the smell of tea-tree oil - you could dilute it and spray, its probably good for the plant too!
Reply:Change his litter for soil.and put some lemon Or orange pieces around the base of the plant.Cats dont like the smell..
Reply:you have to get rid of your plants.
Reply:Hi there,



I'll keep it short...



*Citrus peelings- Orange works best, cats hate the smell

so it works as a detterent.

*Pepper sprinkles- BE CAREFUL not to get it in the cats eye

when they stand on pepper it will be gritty

on their paws, they hate that feel and

when they lick it of it will be hot.

*Foil-Put foil on top of the soil, then Neville cant dig.

*Ornaments- Put some pretty pebbles or marbles on the

the soil, again so Neville cannot dig.

*Water spray- Squirt Neville with some water if you catch him

be sure to have a squirter handy, maybe one of

the plat squirters but be sure to use the squirt

and not the misty spray.

Good Luck! I hope some of these suggestions were of use to you, Have a nice day and give Neville a hug from me! Cute name by the way!

Lotty xx
Reply:It doesn't matter because the cat pooh is good for the plants and it will help the grow if you water them regularly. If your cat is eating the plants it is because cats do that to trow up when there is something wrong with their stomach. What you can do in that situation is go to the pet store and buy special cat plants and grow them in your garden so your cat can eat it.
Reply:Get rid of your plants.
Reply:get rid of the cat
Reply:try using orange peel, cats dont like the smell of it (too strong for them) and it makes your house smell nice.
Reply:Put used tea bags down in the plant pots.. loll.. we did it with my cat, it seemed to work for a short while.. i dunno why though.. x
Reply:You can cover the soil with pieces of screen cut to fit around the base of the plant, and cover with river rocks. Don't use pea gravel, or aquarium gravel, he can dig in that just as well. Use larger rocks. If Neville can't get to the soil underneath the rocks, he may give it up. For extra help, spray Kitty Indoor No! on the pots and rocks in the pots. It works for some cats, but not all. I have heard of orange peels being repugnant to cats. I have no experience with that, but might be worth a shot. A great air freshener if nothing else.

Now, what in the world are you doing putting your cat outside? Keep that up and it will solve the problem, he'll get killed or disappear! If you're going to live with a cat, you have to accept you're going to live with a litterbox. If you keep it clean, there's no problem. It only takes a minute or two daily to scoop it, and the occasional litter change and cleaning should be no big deal. If you want to be a pet owner, be a responsible pet owner. There are already plenty of the other kind! Good luck!