Hi Brian,
Thanks for the info. For background, I've had indoor/outdoor cats, and currently have 2 indoor only cats, and one who's indoor/backyard.
When I lived in a diff house, I allowed my cats outside whenever they desired (self-serve style via cat door). , My house plants were never bothered, as the cats would eat grass in the yard, and not feel as much 'urge' to do so inside.
Now with two young, indoor only cats(twins who feed off each others mischief), things have changed and they want to chew on plants inside! The few times they have been allowed supervised time in the backyard, they run straight to the grass and eat. so I've curbed their desire to harrass my plants in a couple of ways:
1) To prevent the cats from digging in the dirt in my pots, I place vinyl coated hardware cloth atop the dirt. Below you'll see 'Thing 2'** presenting the hardware cloth, (and 'Thing 1' participatory cameo shot). The metal cloth is stiffer, so they can't 'paw' it out of the pot. Metal mesh cloth comes in rolls at the hardware store(1/2" opening). Use tin snips to cut it in a circle shape. I measure the pot internal diameter, make 2 half circles out of metal cloth, cut an opening for the plant (like 2 halves of a donut) and put these two halves on top of the dirt around the pot stem so that the whole surface of the dirt is covered. No more digging, and plant can still be watered and breathe, without encouraging mold.
2) To satisfy cat's desire to munch on something, I give them a plant of their own. I've never been able to get ANY cats to eat Wheatgrass (sold as 'cat grass'). What they love is BARLEY GRASS! Cats love the taste of Barley Grass and it's nutritious, full of vitamins and safe. Dogs love it too! The trick is to place potted Barley strategically where the cats hang out, meaning where they typically eat your plants.
I grow the barley grass outdoors and indoors so I always have a fresh Supply to give them. Water it well outside and be careful not to over water it indoors so you don't attract mold. Sometimes I'll even break off chunks of the grass and bring it inside for them to munch on. They really love it.
You could grow catnip, but a CAUTION: my cats have loved it so much they dont stop at the leaves... I've come to home to a knocked over planter, dirt everywhere, and no trace of the plant save for a few whisps of root! While it's funny, it's also messy and annoying. Catnip strategies coming next...
3) I have an incline corrugated box scratcher that looks like a big wedge. Most cats love these! Except for mine... On a cat-scratcher-likeability scale, 'Thing 1' and 'Thing 2' give it a solid, 'Meh...'
However, when i mound a handful of dried catnip on this scratcher, the love to eat it!, and the leftover flakes fall into the cardboard, rather than the floor (less vacuuming). This leads to playing, running, releasing all their energy, followed by a self-bath and a nap. MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THIS DISCUSSION, eating the catnip satisfies their desire to chew and eat plants. The cats love it, and the energy they expend playing leaves them too tired to go looking for ways to get in trouble. I have found potent dried catnip in bulk at a local health food store that sells bulk herbs and it's surprisingly inexpensive! About 1/3th the cost, and higher potency, than buying it pre-packaged at pet store.
3) Of course, don't place the house plants next to where the cats like to travel. let's face it, INDOOR CATS ARE BORED when compared to indoor/outdoor cats. And cats will satisfy their natural urges to climb, hunt, eat grass, etc, inside the house. It's a compromise, sure. The key is to distract them with something better than your plants.
4) some cats are obsessive chewers, just like some dogs. Boredom, desire to hunt, or being weaned to early, are typical causes. Your plants become easy targets for this behavior. Solution: Try a toy that the cats can Chew! Below, 'Thing 2' is demonstrating his chewing skills with the help of 'Spiderman.' This knitted toy works because it is stuffed with catnip, and cats love the texture! 'Thing 2' can sink his teeth between the fibers for chewing satisfaction without destroying the toy. Recharge the catnip smell by rubbing catnip on the outside, or use catnip spray.
4) GROW CAT SAFE PLANTS-- make sure to remove plants that are poisonous to cats, or place them in an area they have no way of reaching. I have only one spot in my house I'm 100% certain the cats can't reach and it's a shelf above the front door. Some plants I prefer to enjoy, teethmark free. Even plants high up can pose dangers to cats. the leaves will fall and the cats will eat them and can cause serious poisoning.
I speak from experience. I had a cat that bit into a Lily leaf in the yard and promptly spit it out. That exposure was enuf to poison her. Thankfully I recognized the plant from the intact leaf fragment she spit out and rushed her to the ICU within an hour of ingestion. EMERGENCY TREATMENT WITHIN 6 HOURS OF INGESTION SAVED HER LIFE(or death from kidney failure is inevitable within 72 hours--no joke)! After 4 days in ICU, and 8 months of recovery, she lived, with mild kidney damage and a gallop heart rhythm, and a HUGE hole in my wallet. We dont grow Lilies anymore (Lilies were my favorite plant, but I love the cats, more).
Be advised: if you read that Bamboo, is safe for cats, it is!
HOWEVER, ACACIA SOLD AS 'Lucky Bamboo' IN GROCERY STORES IS NOT SAFE for cats or dogs to eat, and causes stomach upset, nausea, vomiting.... none of which will stop the cats or dogs from trying to eat it because they like the taste and texture.
One plant that is safe for cats to eat is spider plant! but I don't grow it anymore because it annoyed me with all the kitty teeth marks in it. Lol! The cats do love it, as it dangles down and they can sink their teeth into it, swat it back and forth...
Please dont use mousetraps to deter the cats from jumping on things. You could seriously injure the cat. Very very bad for the cat , very bad for your wallet. again, indoor cats dont have to hunt for their food, but their instincts wont go away....redirect their behavior.
please try these first few tips and let me know what works. Then I can help you with other strategies for any remaining hiccups.
Good Luck!
** While the kittens did agree to show their faces on camera, to protect their privacy, they have asked that their names be changed.
