Will pepper oil or garlic oil prevent cats from chewing on plants?
melw asked:
I’m wanting to buy a philodendron plant, but am afraid one of our cats will see it and try and eat it, mistaking it for her cat grass. I’m wondering if pepper oil used for cooking sprinkled on the plant will work, or, alternatively, hurt the plant. Or what about garlic oil on the plant? I know that pepper on the skin can burn, so am wondering if it could do the same on the plant. Or, is there any type of spray that can be used to prevent the cat from getting near the plant before she chews the leaves? Philodendrons are poisonous to cats, so I don’t want her to even chew on it, which is why I want to avoid bitter apple spray. Hope all this makes sense, and thanks in advance?
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I’m wanting to buy a philodendron plant, but am afraid one of our cats will see it and try and eat it, mistaking it for her cat grass. I’m wondering if pepper oil used for cooking sprinkled on the plant will work, or, alternatively, hurt the plant. Or what about garlic oil on the plant? I know that pepper on the skin can burn, so am wondering if it could do the same on the plant. Or, is there any type of spray that can be used to prevent the cat from getting near the plant before she chews the leaves? Philodendrons are poisonous to cats, so I don’t want her to even chew on it, which is why I want to avoid bitter apple spray. Hope all this makes sense, and thanks in advance?
December 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Just plain black pepper sprinkled on the soil should work, I’ve also used lemon pepper to keep the cats out of the house plants. Actually, my cats have never bothered any of the many varieties of philodendra that I’ve grown, they sometimes are interested in spider plants until they’ve investigated thoroughly. The only plants my cats have ever ruined have been small cacti … for some reason, the cats remove them from the pots and play chase the ball with them. Barbara E
December 7th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
There are sprays and granules you can put on your plants to keep all animals off of them. The best I’ve found is called Critter Ridder….it costs about 18.00 at Lowes. It’s a pepper spray and you can spray it around the plant, you can also spray it on the plant, but you don’t have to. You can also use this spray on anything else that you don’t want animals to mess with. Call Lowes and talk to someone in Lawn and Garden,,,,they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about….it’s very popular. pondering