A Dirty Mess: Keeping Your Cats out of Your Plants

In this episode of Cat Advice, Chris unearths a problem I’ve heard many times before: Why do cats love to play in dirt? I’ll break ground on a solution for this messy situation!

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:32 No Yes
6:29 Closing

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#JacksonGalaxy #Cat #Advice #Houseplants

[mharder]

I had the plant problem and solved it by accident. I bought a garden dragon ornament and thought it looked cool sitting amid my plant pots. For some reason my cats did not like that dragon and never again dug up those house plants. That was not the intent of the dragon placement but i guess whatever works.

[microtyger]

I inadvertently found a perfect repellant. I sprinkle Cinnamon on the soil to prevent mold growth.
Ever since, the cats leave my house plants and my soil alone!
Cinnamon is Not toxic to cats, dogs, or plants. 🌱🌿

[acidbrns]

Person: How do I get my cat to stop playing in dirt?
Jackson: Give her some dirt to play in!

[angeliksvidal]

I didn't think this problem had a solution, but the sticky thing was a good idea so thanks haha

[rachelthomas]

I always want to watch your videos right when they come out, but my husband will be sad if I watch without him! You have helped this now three cat family SO MUCH over the years! From introducing to each other to the sounds they make to sleep-eat-play schedule. We understand our tigers so much better now! Also so many slow blinks and upward head nods 🐱

[muzerhythm]

For playing in the dirt...I've also heard of people getting a small kiddie pool and fill it with sandbox clean sand. And like Jackson said...hide toys in it. 😁

[Prettymapleleaf]

Exactly what I needed Jackson! This outdoor stray kitty found me about 6 months ago and I named her Gracie. She’s so friendly and wonderful but she loves playing with my plants! She used to pee in them but I got her to stop that by putting rocks on any exposed dirt. Now she just likes biting them and standing in them, etc. especially when she wants my attention! it’s so funny but annoying!

[willdwyer]

I've observed feral cats rolling around in dirt prior to hunting. My theory is that they're using the dirt to mask their scent so they don't scare their prey.

[kathydempsey]

Thanks so much, Jackson! I was about to give up and not have plants in the house anymore. My sweet Polly, who we have had for just about a year, LOVES to dig in the plants and worse knock them over. Middle of the night and I hear another plant bite the dust :D I will definitely try the lava rocks and Sticky Paws, and the cat grass. My plants thank you!

[MsGoldencat]

One thing that helped with my cats bothering house plants and also those miniature Christmas trees (usually Norfolk pine with glitter on it) is to put fresh citrus peels in the pot on top of the dirt. Or you can put essential oil of Sweet Orange on cotton balls and tuck it around the plant under the leaves. Most cats do not like citrus smell.

As an extra freebie for fall and winter you might like to boil a small pan of water and drop in the rinds from a couple Mandarin oranges, and a few cloves.
(navel oranges do not smell as strong neither do blood oranges).

Stir it around so everything gets submerged in the hot water and you will immediately get the fragrance. Smells wonderful. Let it sit on the stove and cool off at its own pace.**seasonal air freshening purposes only. Under no circumstances give to the cat.**

[Randoplants]

I am so glad to see this video today. I recently saw a life hack for this same sort of problem, and the solution was to stick toothpicks all up in the dirt. Dangerous for kitty all around! X_x It's so good that Jackson Galaxy is here to provide to actual good advice, to combat all the bad info!

[MC-gtyp]

I have a cat who does the same thing. My solution was to by large smooth pebbles and place it over the soil area. This way my cat cannot get her claws hooked on rocks or dirt and the pebbles protect the top soil. Additionally, it’s easy to remove smooth large pebbles to occasionally fertilize the plant and place back again. If you have a balcony you can place grassy outdoor plants for the cat to play with

[miragecinemas]

My cats are so fascinated by dirt and houseplants. Thanks for the advice!

[the_grave_nugget]

Omg, thank you for this! My cats have been munching on my plants for months now and I haven't been knowing what to do. But now I do.

[mel]

Jackson, please make a video about spaying after care, how to keep the cat safe and methods to help heal the wound properly! pleasee. My cat just wont tolerate the elizabethan collar or a cat corset and I'm very afraid she'll hurt herself, she's on day 5 post op and on the first post op night she already was very energetic and trying to jump all over the place 😩 there's a lot of different info online about what to do and what not to do, I'd love to hear your take on this, all the techniques and theories I've learned from you have worked wonderfully with my (6mo) cat. Please and thank you!

[Firedeath]

Hannah happily rolling in dirt is just the cutest thing... Though if she's anything like my cat you just know she goes straight to her owner's pillow when she's done rolling lol.

[bigheartanimals]

How can you not love this guy! I met him at a book signing and he is so nice ♥️xo

[msvaleriah]

This was really helpful, Jackson, thank you. I've always had adult rescues, dogs and cats, most of them on the older side. We just lost our Irish Wolfhound, and have decided it's okay for us to have babies for a change. We just kind of need a break from losing them so quickly. We will be getting a pair of kittens soon and are in the processes of baby-proofing and catifying, so I've been looking up our plants to make sure they'll be safe. Saying goodbye to my snake plant, the dracena and my oxalis. And the philodendron. Sigh. But kitties come first. I hadn't thought about digging.

[lettuceforlife]

I’ve got a special needs cat who’s got lots of mental issues. He loves the house plants. I think they help calm him a bit. I think it helps bring the outside more inside. He’s a very sweet cat he’s just got a funky brain.

[IoanaCapraru]

I have this issue with my baby. I tried the sticky tape and she just keeps going at it until i hear her walking around with the tape stuck to her tummy and have to carefully peel it off giving her a slight tummy wax. I tried the rocks and thats even more exciting to her and wont give up until all the rocks are out and she's playing with them everywhere. Also cat grass. She couldn't care less. Nothing works besides physically elevating all plants out of reach with plant stands.