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I've come to discover that my darling little "(semi!) Tamed Beast" (as I affectionately refer to him), has been digging up the rocks and soil in the containerized draceana tree in my apartment... not for "fun" as I'd initially thought, but to apparently pee in. While I apparently need to be more diligent in spraying a harmless but smelly "critter" deterrant on the soil each day, I wonder if the peeing he's already done could somehow do harm to the roots. Anybody know?
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by bonniepunch USDAz4 AgCanz5a (My Page) on Fri, Apr 30, 04 at 15:45
| Urea (present in urine) is nitrogen, and it can burn roots, and kill a plant if it is not diluted. If you suspect that the cat has been peeing in the soil, then you should probably give the plant a really good watering to dilute the urea. I keep my cats out of my containers by covering the soil with large pieces of bark mulch - it looks ok, and is too big and heavy for the cats to bother with. I've used cheap bamboo skewers poked in the soil to keep them out in the past. Anything that will cover the soil, or make it difficult to pee in the pot should work. Also, once you make the pot unappealing, no matter how clean you keep your cat pan, keep it even cleaner! BP |
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| Is this light enough you could take it to the sink and really flush the container? Fill with water several times until water is freely running out of the drainage hole? Then wait to water again until it needs the moisture. The skewers as mentioned above should keep kitty from your plant....or if you have a very persistent cat, there is a spray repellent called Boundary that you can purchase at pet supply stores that is effective for most cats. Spray the outside of your container. (my cat used to go in the fireplace every so often...when I would see ashy footprints on the hearth, I knew it was time to burn a few newspapers) |
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| Maybe you should change the litter to something they prefer. If you don't clean it out everyday, consider it. Cat's appreciate a clean, comfortable place to go just as much as humans do. Cat Deterrents for your Garden: Keep in mind that each cat is different (like people), what works for one may not necessarily work for another. On the plus side, most cats will keep pesty squirrels, moles and other critters out of your garden. They're great for keeping out moles, rabbits, squirrels, and other critters which can do more damage in your garden than a cat ever will. Birds aren't stupid, they watch for cats and stay away. Sometimes natural law comes into play and the quicker animal wins, it's natural law. If the cats have owners, talk to them without being confrontational. The cat owner who allows his cat to damage other peoples' property is as guilty as the cat hater who kills the cat for trespassing. Remember, cats will be cats, and it is unfair of us to blame them for being what they are and how nature intended them to participate in this world. After-all, we praise them when they catch mice or rats or other creatures we deem to be 'pests'. * amonia soaked (corncobs, etc) NOT RECOMMENDED: Give them their own areas: (To keep them out of where you don't want them) + pick the cat up and bring it to eye level with the plant to see and smell it up close. She noted that once her cat has seen and sniffed at the plant, she usually doesn't bother with it later. + give them their own plants - i.e., pots of grass for her to chew on and a place in a large planted container on her balcony with some miscanthus grass in it (the cat likes to curl up in that for some reason) + if the cats are strictly indoors and attracted to your houseplants, grow catgrass for them. If someone forced you to remain inside one enclosed structure all your life, you might be attracted to the plants too. + Barley Grass As a gardener, grow your indoor cat some catgrass and catnip. They're healthy alternatives for your houseplants and they'll much prefer them. This list compiled by Violet_Z6, email at violetgw@care2.com for comments and suggestions regarding this list. |
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| My potted rubber tree started smelling VERY VERY bad. I discovered the cat had dug up an buried here feces in the pot. I scooped it out, replaced the soil, wattered well outdoors, then put some decorative river rock on top, to cover the soil but allow water in. She leaves it alone now. By the way, the cat is twelve years old and NEVER did this before. I attribute it to temporary insanity or an intestinal infection of some kind. |
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| This is all well and good, for male cats who dig more. What about females who spray? I suspect my tomatoes plants have fallen victim to this. I caught her in the act last year. She spends 75% of her time outside. Is there any way to keep her away from the garden? I could then take that variable out of the death equation. |
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- Posted by PatriciaTorngren South Africa(pgt@mweb.co.za) onFri, Apr 1, 11 at 14:41
| There are two places in my garden where my cats have peed and pooped, and now plants don't want to grow there. Is there any way I can treat the soil? I have been told cat pee is acid -- would it help to use some bicarbonate of soda to restore the soil PH? If not, is there any other treatment that works? Thanks! :-) |
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| I also very much want to know this. I live in a courtyard with big planters but nothing grows in them. We have lots of cats. I used to think that it was because they are always digging up the soil. However I have created a fence round one to plant some tomatoes and they have gone yellow on the lower leaves. ANy help would be greatly appreciated. |
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| Hi, is cat urine and feces really that bad for plants? I think they would help keep away voles and moles which can be far more damaging. There's a lot of coyote and bob cat feces on my property anyway, I figured it'll just become compost and they too should keep away small mammals. I found my cat peeing near my flowers the other day, but the flowers seem fine. I do keep my edible garden in a protected area where the cats (and deer) cannot enter. But I wonder if the danger to flowers are so great... Anyway, I do mulch around my more precious plants with leaves etc and these pokey covering discourages the cats. |
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