Cats like to bury their feces; the potting soil in your potted plant provides a soft, dark substrate perfect for burying. Some cats don't like the texture of the litter, so they opt for something softer. Kitties may poop in plants because of stress or anxiety.
Here are three top reasons behind this unwelcome cat behavior: 1. Some cats like the feel of soft dirt to dig out places to urinate or defecate. 2. Some cats are giving you a less-than-subtle signal that they view that their litter boxes are not clean enough to use.
Cover the ground around your plants with plastic wrap, sand paper, or even sticky tape to make the area uncomfortable. Have a litter box alternative close by. Add stones to the flower pots.
So why shouldn't you use cat poop near edible crops? The answer lies in your feline's diet. Because cats aren't herbivores like cattle and horses—but are instead obligate carnivores—their feces carry harmful bacteria.
Any animal waste, not just cats, can also contaminate the soil with other parasites such as roundworm and hookworm and bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella. So what to do if a cat uses your vegetable garden as a litter box? It must be cleaned and the sooner the better.
Cat feces can carry diseases such as toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and intestinal parasites. You don't, however, need to replace all your soil. When you notice feces, remove it and the soil it's touching. It's a good idea to put it in a plastic bag and dispose of it in your garbage can.
However, before trying out this hack, it's important to note that not all kitty litter is safe for soil. For instance, fragranced and chemical-heavy litter can damage or kill your plants — also, never use litter that your cat has used first.
Same reason they sleep in other locations - warmth and comfort. Plant pots containing soil warm up in the daytime in summer, the soil and pot retaining that heat (especially if they're terracotta pots). It seems natural that a cat would find a plant pot an attractive place to stay.
Wild felines regularly ingest plants, and it seems to be a behavior that our domestic cats have inherited from their ancestors. Many cats eat plants because they enjoy the taste. Others consume plants because they are bored, stressed, or attracted by the movement of the plants.
All this waste is good, holy fertilizer. Dog and cat waste is particularly valuable because, compared to most manures, it is higher in phosphorus, the plant nutrient most difficult for organic farmers and gardeners to come by naturally.
The feces and urine from the cats contain microbes and parasites that are unsanitary for vegetable growth. If the garden box is small, remove all the soil, really ALL the soil and replace it with clean soil.
Cat urine leaves alkaline salts and nitrogen in the soil, which damages the plant's roots. The best way to remove the salts is to leach them out with plenty of water. The excess water must be able to drain completely from the potting soil in order to flush out the salts.
There are several natural ways to do this: Cats hate the smell of citrus, for example, so try throwing a lemon peel or two into the soil of your plants (but don't use concentrated citrus oils as it can be toxic). You could also sprinkle cayenne pepper around a plant... one sniff and your cat will back off for good.
Pregnant women and those who have compromised immune systems should be extra careful and consider not being the one to change the litter. I have a cat at home and do not worry about becoming infected with Toxoplasma. Even in a laboratory setting, the chances of infection are quite low.
Dangerous types of cat litter on the market include some types of clumping cat litter, those containing sodium bentonite clay and those containing crystalline silica dust.
If cat litter boxes are not regularly cleaned, the urine and feces accumulate and ammonia fumes build up. Ammonia is a toxic gas made from a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen. Living in an atmosphere filled with these ammonia fumes can cause a great deal of respiratory discomfort and problems.
You Should Never Flush Your Cat's Poop Or Litter!
One of the biggest problems with flushing your cat's presents is the harmful parasites in your feline's stool called toxoplasmosis.
Just a little bit of baking soda in the bottom of your cat box absorbs odors and can help to keep the area smelling clean.
Are Cats Supposed to Clean Themselves After Going to the Bathroom? "Cats are naturally clean critters, so they are inclined to clean up after using the litter box," Dr. Zay told POPSUGAR. "Typically though, they have little to no residue from their bathroom habits.
Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma gondii are not aware of it because they have no symptoms at all. Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the “flu” with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that may last for a month or more.
Cats prefer to walk on soft soil and will avoid prickly surfaces. They're also more likely to defecate in soft soil or compost. Make beds and borders less attractive to them by covering areas of bare soil with twigs, pine cones or holly leaves, or laying down chicken wire.
Cats dislike wet soil, so keeping those flowerbeds well watered will stop them pooping in your garden and crushing your plants.
In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.