🪴"Leave that monstera alone!" - or how to protect plants from curious paws
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Cats are master climbers. Dogs are experts at digging. And if you have a rabbit? Well... they're a pot-eater with the zeal of a reaper.
If your houseplants become a snack or a playground too often, this post is for you!
🐾 Why do animals love plants so much?
For several reasons:
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Cats love heights – a macrame monstera is the perfect swing.
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Dogs dig because they can – potted soil is more fun than a sandbox.
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Plants smell, move and... sometimes taste .
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Some animals think that if something green is on their property, it is theirs.
🌿 Step 1: Choose resistant or safe plants
If you are just starting your adventure with a home jungle, start with species that are non-toxic and less “attractive” to animals.
Safe plants:
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Arrowroot
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Areca
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Calathea
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Bamboo (the real one, not the "happy" kind)
Plants that may be poisonous:
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Monstera
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Philodendron
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Sansevieria
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Dieffenbachia
(Note – they may look like lettuce. But they are not lettuce.)
🛡️ Step 2: Covers, Hoods, and Clever Tricks
👉 Protective covers for flowerpots – like our cat and child-proof mats . They look inconspicuous, but they get the job done!
👉 Gravel or pebbles on top – they prevent digging and are as trendy as Pinterest in 2019.
👉 Nets around plants – not very decorative, but effective.
👉 Mini greenhouses and display cases – Ikea says hello! Plants are visible, but your paws can't reach them.
🧠 Step 3: Redirect your pets' attention
🐱 Does your cat want a Monstera? Put some cat grass next to it.
🐶 Dog bored at home? Give him a peanut butter Kong and your plants will stay untouched.
🐰 Does your rabbit chew everything? Set up a special herb corner just for him – basil instead of begonias!
⚠️ Beware of DIY sprays!
Some guides recommend vinegar repellent sprays. Be warned – you could scare away not only the animal but also your own nose. Instead, it's better to:
✅ Use natural scents that animals don't like – e.g. citrus, mint (but not everywhere!)
✅ Buy ready-made, safe preparations in garden centers or zoos.
🧩 Bonus: What else is worth doing?
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Hang your plants – the higher the safer.
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Use heavy pots – they are harder to tip over.
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Observe your pet's reaction – every animal is different. Maybe your fern is its number one enemy, and the dracaena is just a backdrop.
🌈 Summary: It is possible to live in harmony
Plants + animals = challenge, but also great joy.
With a few simple tricks, your monstera will no longer resemble a salad after a storm, and your cat will be happy with its own greenery.
The plants will survive, and you will gain a home where everything has its place (even claws and leaves).