If you love to garden and you love your cat, garden safety should be included in your landscaping plans.
Use Repellents to Keep Cats from Digging
If cats are digging in your freshly planted seedbeds, you can use a cat repellent to deter them. Citrus peels make an effective feline repellent or you can purchase non-toxic sprays that will keep cats away.
Keep freshly mulched beds neat by laying wire mesh approximately 1 inch below the mulch. This will discourage digging.
Plant for cat repellency. There are several garden favorites that cats simply do not like. Try lavender, rue and pennyroyal. A new introduction, Coleus canina, is known as the "scaredy cat plant." It is not widely available in nurseries but is available online.
Fence or Enclosure for Cat Safety
If you are planning a vegetable garden, you may need to install fencing to keep out rodents and deer. If you hope to keep cats out of the area as well, standard upright fencing will not be enough-cats can climb a traditional vertical fence. Top each fence section with a flexible nylon web barrier. The flexible webbing is difficult for cats to climb. For added protection, install the webbing at a 45-degree angle to the ground. In this configuration, it is virtually cat-proof.
Outdoor cats are vulnerable to many dangers, including cars predators and entrapment. To increase your cat's safety, consider an outdoor cat enclosure. There are ready-made enclosures available in a variety of sizes, allowing your cat a risk-free outdoor experience.
With planning and a few simple precautions, you can keep your cat safe and your garden healthy.