How to Keep My Cat Out of the Artificial Plants

If you're a cat owner and an artificial plant enthusiast, you know the challenge: your cat seems to have an innate curiosity for your fake greenery. Not only can this cause a mess, but your cat's interest can also lead to potential damage to your plants. If you're looking for effective ways to keep your cat out of your artificial plants, you're in the right place!
Keeping your cat away from artificial plants involves using a combination of scent-based deterrents¹, strategic placement², and certain sprays that naturally repel cats.

When it comes to protecting your artificial plants from your feline friend, it's not just about what keeps them physically away; it's about leveraging their sense of smell and instincts to your advantage. Let's dive deeper into practical solutions that will safeguard your fake plants while keeping your cat content.

What Can You Spray on Artificial Trees to Keep Cats Away?

Cats are notoriously sensitive to certain scents, which can be used to keep them away from your artificial trees. Here are some effective sprays that can do the trick:

• Citrus Spray: Cats dislike the scent of citrus fruits, so using a citrus-based spray (like lemon or orange) on your artificial plants can effectively deter them.
• Vinegar and Water Solution: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The strong, pungent odor of vinegar is enough to send most cats running.
• Essential Oils: Some essential oils, such as lavender or peppermint, are natural cat repellents. Just be cautious as essential oils can be toxic to cats if ingested in large amounts, so use diluted versions and spray lightly.
• Commercial Cat Repellents: Many pet stores sell sprays specifically designed to repel cats. These usually contain a mix of natural ingredients like eucalyptus, citronella, or lemongrass.

Objective and helpful snippet:
To keep cats away from artificial trees, use natural sprays like citrus or vinegar solutions, or try commercial cat repellents³. These methods deter cats with scents they dislike.

Spraying your artificial trees isn't a one-time solution—it requires a bit of consistency and monitoring. Reapply sprays regularly, especially after cleaning your plants, to maintain their deterrent effect.

Tips for Effective Use of Sprays:

• Spot-Test First: Always test sprays on a small, hidden part of your plants to ensure they don't damage or discolor them.
• Avoid Excessive Application: Too much spray can make your house smell overwhelming, not just for your cat but for you too.
• Reapply After Cleaning: If you regularly clean your plants, remember to reapply the deterrent afterward.

Why Does My Cat Eat My Fake Plants?

It can be puzzling when your cat chews on your fake plants. Even though artificial plants are not edible, your cat’s behavior may stem from different causes:

• Boredom or Anxiety: Cats sometimes chew on things as a way to relieve stress or boredom. If your cat doesn't have enough stimulating activities, fake plants may seem like a tempting target.
• Teething in Kittens: If you have a kitten, they may be teething and gnawing on various objects, including your fake plants.
• Hunting Instincts: Cats are natural hunters, and they may treat your artificial plants like prey. The movement of leaves or the rustling sound might trigger their instinctual behavior.
• Attraction to Texture: Some artificial plants have textures that mimic the real thing. Your cat may enjoy the sensation of biting or clawing at the plant.

Objective and helpful snippet:
Cats may chew on fake plants due to boredom, stress, or a teething phase. They may also be triggered by the texture or their natural hunting instincts.

The best way to address this behavior is to provide alternatives, such as cat grass or chew toys, and ensure your cat has plenty of stimulation.

How to Stop Your Cat From Eating Fake Plants:

• Provide More Playtime: Offer engaging toys or activities to keep your cat's attention away from the plants.
• Use Bitter Sprays: Apply a bitter-tasting spray (available at pet stores) to the plants. Cats dislike these tastes, making them less likely to chew.
• Add Cat-Friendly Plants: Give your cat safe plants, like catnip or cat grass, to chew on instead of your artificial ones.

Are Artificial Plants Toxic to Cats?

One of the common worries for pet owners is whether artificial plants can be harmful to their cats. While artificial plants themselves aren’t toxic, there are a few important things to consider:

• Material Safety: Not all artificial plants are created equal. Some are made from materials that may be harmful if ingested. For example, PVC-based plants may release toxic chemicals if chewed or broken into small pieces.
• Plant Decorations: Many artificial plants come with additional decorations like glitter, beads, or fake fruits, which may be toxic if consumed by your cat. Always check the materials used in your plants before purchasing them.
• Choking Hazard: Even though they aren’t poisonous, small parts of artificial plants could pose a choking hazard if swallowed.

Objective and helpful snippet:
While artificial plants are typically not toxic to cats, some materials and decorations may pose a choking risk or release harmful chemicals if chewed. Always check for safety.

To avoid health risks, always opt for high-quality, pet-safe artificial plants and be cautious with decorative items that could be swallowed.

How to Choose Safe Artificial Plants for Cats:

• Avoid Toxic Materials: Choose plants made from non-toxic materials like silk or plastic that are free from harmful chemicals.
• Check for Small Parts: Inspect your artificial plants for small, detachable parts that could be easily chewed or ingested by your cat.
• Look for Pet-Safe Labels: Many high-quality artificial plants are now labeled as safe for pets. Opt for these when possible.

What Smells Keep Cats Away from Plants?

Cats have an incredibly strong sense of smell, which means certain scents can be very effective at keeping them away from your artificial plants. Here are some smells that cats generally dislike:

• Citrus: As mentioned before, cats can't stand the smell of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
• Lavender: This soothing scent is lovely for humans but unpleasant for most cats.
• Peppermint and Eucalyptus: Both of these strong-smelling plants are known to keep cats away.
• Rosemary: The scent of rosemary can be both a deterrent and a repellent for cats, especially in larger quantities.

Objective and helpful snippet:
Scents like citrus, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary can help keep cats away from your artificial plants. Use essential oils or natural oils in sprays for a simple solution.

A simple way to incorporate these smells into your home is by using essential oil diffusers or spraying diluted oils around your plants.

Best Ways to Use Smells to Keep Cats Away:

• Essential Oil Diffusers: Place diffusers near your plants to create a constant scent barrier.
• Scented Sachets: Create small sachets with dried herbs like rosemary or lavender and hang them near your plants.
• Natural Plant-Based Sprays: Make your own spray using diluted essential oils (with a carrier like water or vinegar) to spritz on your artificial plants.

Conclusion

Keeping your cat away from your artificial plants is possible with a combination of safe sprays, scents, and proper plant placement. Consistency and monitoring will make your plants and your feline happy.