How can you prevent dogs from eating plants in pots?
You may have been frustrated after leaving your newly planted pot plant only to return to discover it lying on the floor next to a dog that was obviously feeling bad. Dogs are drawn to the aroma of new potting soil for some reason, and it only takes them a few seconds to damage a newly potted plant. Smaller plants that can be put out of your dog’s reach are acceptable, but the majority of us prefer huge plants to decorate our homes both inside and out and require a more long-term solution to keep dogs away.
The habit is rather simple to break with a little bit of patience. Continue reading for quick fixes and humane solutions if your dog keeps destroying your potted plants.
Training
A well-behaved dog is the result of proper training, since they will stop undesirable behavior very quickly and frequently on demand. The finest training techniques are reward-based ones because they help children learn orders quickly and kind of. When instructed to stop digging in your potted plants, a well-trained dog will do so immediately, and after receiving a treat for doing so, they are less likely to repeat the habit.
Of course, there are always exceptions, and some dogs may find it difficult to break a habit once it has become ingrained in them.
Supervision
Step two is keeping a tight check on your dog whenever they are near your plants. Even a well-trained dog will require monitoring in the early stages of breaking a behavior. As before, praise them or give them a treat for good conduct. Also, make sure you are close enough so that they can hear you and will comply with your directions. Then you can gradually start backing off a bit to watch if they continue acting in this way without you around. It can take some time, but with enough commands, ideally your dog will come to understand that the potted plant is off limits.
Pinecones
The next step is applying a deterrent if your dog continues to dig up potted plants while you aren’t around to watch them. There are other options to test, but pinecones work the best in our experience, especially for little dogs. Bury pinecones—the more, the better—just beneath the soil’s surface in your potted plant. The harsh pinecone edges on your dog’s paws should be enough to discourage them from digging when your dog decides to come and dig.
Smaller dogs should use this technique because some larger breeds actually like to munch on pinecones!
Clove oil
If pinecones are ineffective, clove oil-soaked cotton swabs might be the solution. Clove oil’s strong aroma is repulsive to dogs and can serve as a powerful deterrent. Several cotton balls should be covered in clove oil before being buried in the soil of your potted plant. Hopefully the fragrance will be enough to dissuade them, but most dogs won’t bother digging them up because of the taste!
Temporary fencing
The next step to stop your dogs from digging in your potted plants is to put a tiny fence around them. While this may seem severe and cost extra money, it should be sufficient to stop them. Additionally, you will only need to employ them as a temporary solution while you are teaching your dog or when you are absent from the situation to keep an eye on them. Depending on the situation, you may either construct a modest fence around the entire space where you keep your potted plants or you can put a fence within each pot.
Make a dig pit!
The fact that your dog enjoys digging is one of the main reasons they keep destroying your indoor plants. Your dog may keep away from your plants if you designate a specific area in your yard for them to dig without restriction. Give them praise for digging in the designated location and add toys and sticks to the dig pit to make it more entertaining than the potted plant. Having their very own digging area can make your dog very happy!
Other deterrents
If your dog is still occasionally digging up your plants, you should give some of the other tried-and-true deterrents a shot. Most dogs dislike the smell of vinegar in addition to clove oil, so you can try it as an alternative. Additionally, creating a moat with a rough surface may be sufficient to discourage most dogs. This may be a tiny circle made of jagged stone or pinecones—anything that will annoy your dog but not hurt him.
Exercise!
Last but not least, some dogs simply dig because they are uninterested or understimulated. Digging is one of many negative habits that can be prevented and treated by providing your dog with enough mental and physical stimulation throughout the day. Regular daily exercise should help relieve dogs’ boredom and prevent them from digging up your potted plants. Many dogs will dig to release pent-up energy.
How can I make my indoor plants dog-proof?
Pets and plants may cohabit, but I believe my cats and dogs are unaware of this because they enjoy using my plants as punching bags and sleeping on the pots despite having luxurious and expensive beds. My dogs would remove the soil from the pot while I was busy and then seem perplexed when they discovered there was no buried bone within. They would then turn to me and stare at me with such sweet eyes that I could not be angry with them.
The cute fuzzy pets that are designed to kill your houseplants are one of the main issues for every fur and plant parent—not the sunlight or water. I am aware of this because it is how my aloe vera perished and how I was able to afford the hefty vet payment for my animal. Nothing is more upsetting and disheartening than having your pets destroy all the hard work you put into caring for your houseplants in a matter of moments. Follow these practical tips for protecting your dogs and plants from one another if you want to put a stop to this issue. Kids may use it safely too!
Blood Meal
Okay, I know it sounds disgusting, but it works to protect your dogs from your plants. A blood meal is a nitrogen amendment that you can give to the soil around your plants, according to Gardening Know How. Raising the nitrogen content of garden soil by adding blood meal will encourage lush, green plant growth.
Additionally, the nitrogen in blood meal might help your soil become more acidic, which is good for some plants that appreciate soils with low pH levels (acidic soil). Given that you have purchased blood meal, which is a highly concentrated source of nitrogen, take care to carefully adhere to the application instructions. Inadequate nitrogen levels in the soil can, at best, prevent plants from blossoming or bearing fruit, and, at worst, cause them to burn and possibly perish.
For some animals, including moles, squirrels, and deer, blood meal is also employed as a deterrent. It is believed that these animals do not find the smell of blood meal to be alluring.
the soil of your plant with blood meal. Your plants will enjoy it because blood meal is an excellent fertilizer for them, but your cats and dogs’ sensitive noses will detest it and keep them away from the plants.
Citrus & Coffee Grounds
The pungent scent that citrus peels like grapefruit, lemon, lime, or orange can emit is something that most pets detest. Yes, primarily because I tried this solution and my dog didn’t respond well to it. However, adding coffee grounds worked because the odor was far stronger and will undoubtedly keep your pets away from your plants. Every time I water my indoor plants, the smell also comes back, and it’s a great fertilizer.
Give Your Pets Safe Toys
One of the reasons your pets enjoy destroying your plants is that it provides all the benefits of a toy. It’s a boredom buster of sorts. If this is the case, the best thing you can do for your pet is to buy them toys they can bat at or chew toys that can have a treat concealed inside to keep them occupied.
Keep Toxic Plants Out of Reach
Place your houseplants on a shelf or countertop that is out of your pet’s reach, especially if they are hazardous, since this is one of the most crucial solutions on our list that will unquestionably keep your pets safe from your plants. It is preferable to transfer your plant outside if you have a cat who enjoys jumping.
Repellents Sprays
Utilizing spray repellents is the next way to protect your pets from your plants. In order to keep your dog and cat away from your plants, you can also add marigolds and citronella. Try growing flowers with sharp thorns, like roses, if that doesn’t work.
Stones (for cats)
Cats can be kept away from your plants by placing stones there, but your dogs won’t benefit much from this. If your dog plays fetch with you as mine does, they both might choke on the stone. Cats enjoy sandy, smooth soil, so they’ll leave your plants alone.
Use Positive Reinforcement With Your Pets
Okay, I think it’s safe to say that this is the best way to protect your dogs from your plants. It’s better if you can use positive reinforcement to train them to stay away from your plants.
Give your pet a tiny gift, for instance, anytime he or she stays away from your plants. Continue doing this until your pet understands that if they are away from the plant, they will receive a tiny reward or treat.
That’s all there is to say about protecting your dogs from your plants. Remember that some plants can make your pets vomit, feel sick, or develop diarrhea, so it’s best to utilize these remedies. We assure you that the next time you leave your dogs with your plants, you won’t need to be concerned.
Expand your knowledge of plants. For additional information on various houseplants and advice on how to keep your plants alive and healthy, visit our blog on plant care.
What odor makes dogs avoid plants?
There are several plants that dogs detest and won’t let them touch your garden. This organic outdoor repellent contains citronella, bergamot, and rue, all of which are effective against dogs. (Be careful with rue; some people are allergic to it.)
Calendula, sometimes known as marigolds, and other plants that dogs detest can also be used. Try Scaredy Cat (coleus canina), or use herbs like rosemary and lavender for cats.
Different animals can respond differently to plants. Sadly, an unpleasant smell doesn’t always discourage an animal if the animal has the urge.
As an alternative, you can grow thorny flowers and bushes like roses. Animals detest thorns just as much as humans do.
While many of the plants that dogs dislike will only keep them away, there are some plants that can be dangerous to their health. Check out these 50 Dangerous Garden Plants for Pets to be sure your plants are safe for your pets.
Why is my dog stealing plants from my home?
Some dogs begin nibbling on indoor plants in an effort to get nourishment. Plants include vital vitamins and nutrients that your dog may be deficient in if he solely consumes kibble. Add some green vegetables to your dog’s diet if you find that he frequently consumes grass, houseplants, and other greenery.
Chili Peppers
Your dog’s nose will be bothered by any type of spicy pepper, such as jalapenos, Thai chilis, habaneros, or chipotle peppers.
Dogs find the smell of capsaicin, the ingredient in chilis that gives them their spicy flavor, so repulsive that they frequently steer clear of kitchens where chilis are being prepared. Use caution when using chili peppers or powders to ward off your dog because they can trigger intense sneezing fits even in very little doses.
Ground Spices
A dog’s sense of smell may be overwhelmed by any strong ground spice. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cardamom, mustard, and cayenne pepper are typical home spices that dogs detest the smell of.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are frequently utilized as a fragrant scent enhancer for household products. Citrus fruits’ bright and lively aroma is due to the high oil content in their skins and pith. Dogs’ noses will become greatly offended by the strong scent of oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, which humans find to be enticing and delightful.
Vinegar
Although vinegar is promoted as a safer alternative to stronger household cleaners, even people find its fragrance to be unsettling. Acetic acid, a benign and non-toxic molecule produced naturally as a byproduct of fermentation, is the source of both this odor and vinegar’s cleaning abilities.
Dogs should not be allowed on patio furniture or certain areas of your yard by using a spray bottle filled with a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water.
Fresh Herbs
Freshly grown and harvested basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme all have strong aromas that make them perfect additions to gardens you want to keep dogs out of. These herbs have the ability to discourage dogs since they are rich in volatile fragrant oils.
Alcohol
Dogs find the smell of alcohol to be quite overpowering and repulsive, whether it is regular rubbing alcohol, vodka, or grain neutral spirits. Never use any alcohol as a spray to deter dogs from objects because it can quickly cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Household Cleaners
The two most prevalent chemicals in household cleansers that dogs abhor are chlorine and ammonia. You probably already know how uncomfortable the vapors may be if you’ve ever used a household cleaner in a tiny, enclosed area. Dogs should never be let near surfaces that you are cleaning with abrasive substances.
Strong Perfumes or Colognes
Due to the mixture of denatured alcohol and strong aromatics in perfume and cologne, overdoing your morning beauty regimen can cause dogs to avoid you. Even deodorant can cause this reaction in highly sensitive dogs.
Mothballs
Mothballs are used to prevent moths from destroying stored clothing, and their particular odor indicates how effective they are. The little white balls should never be swallowed by either people or canines due to their great hazard.
Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover
Dogs’ nostrils are extremely bothered by the strong chemical glue in nail polish and the heavy acetone odor in nail polish remover. Always use them in an area of your home that is very well ventilated.
Onions and Garlic
Allium plants all have a strong, distinctive aroma that people love to use in cooking. Dogs’ sensitive noses will be turned off by the smell of raw or cooked alliums, but we might appreciate the aroma of onions and garlic cooking on the stove.