Do Cats Eat Garden Vegetables

Most people who have gardens are worried about the wildlife eating their vegetables. Think deer, possums, squirrels, raccoons, birds, and rabbits. Cats, however, can also find their way into the garden and munch on some vegetables. Seeing it, you may ask: do cats eat garden vegetables?

Cats eat garden vegetables. There are several common vegetables that cats can eat, but some vegetables are also toxic to cats. You should avoid growing toxic vegetables at all costs.

Most of your vegetable crops are safe for cats to eat, but we’ll also cover those that aren’t. Whether they’re safe to eat or not, you might not want your cat disturbing your garden, so we’ll cover some ways to keep your cat out!

What Vegetables Do Cats Eat

Cats can eat a number of vegetables.

Cats are carnivores, but they can benefit from having vegetables in their diet. Their daily meals just should not be comprised entirely of vegetables.

The following are some vegetables that cats can and will eat, especially if there is free access to them in gardens:

• Carrots
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Zucchini
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Pumpkin

Most of the vegetables cats can eat are commonplace, even in small gardens of a hobbyist.

The best thing to do is pick the vegetables, wash, and cut them up for your cat to avoid choking. However, if your cat finds the vegetables themselves, rest easy knowing that they can safely eat them!

What Vegetable Plants Are Toxic To Cats

Although humans are told to eat all the vegetables they can, some vegetables can be toxic to cats.

Toxicity is different than being allergic to something.

Whereas an allergic reaction can cause breathing issues or hives that can be eased with medicine, toxic to cats means that it is poison. Without immediate intervention from an emergency vet, there is almost a certain chance that your cat will die.

Not all vegetables are toxic, but here is a list of vegetables that are toxic to cats:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Scallions
• Chives
• Avocados
• Leeks

Some of these vegetables are easier to grow than others.

Depending on the climate you live in and the scale of your garden, these may be some vegetables you are growing, meaning that you need to keep a closer eye on your feline friends around your garden.

How Do You Keep Cats Out Of Garden Vegetables

No matter why you want to keep cats out of your garden, there are many things you can try to deter cats.

Some of these methods may work by themselves, but you also might need to combine several of these suggestions to guarantee that you will keep the cats away.

Use Smells Your Cat Doesn’t Like

Homemade and commercial repellents can keep cats away from your garden.

We’re going to focus on some homemade repellents here, but I do want to note that you can buy commercial repellents at the gardening store.

You can make most homemade repellent sprays with ingredients you already have at home, and most of the sprays contain mostly water.

The nice part about making your sprays at home is knowing exactly what is going into your repellents. Even though you are frustrated with your cat going into your garden, you don’t want to harm them!

Lemon And Peppermint Oils Mixture

This one is easy. Add a few drops of lemon oil and peppermint oil to about a quart of water. Spray wherever you don’t want your cat.

Bonus: This is safe to use in the house too!

Citronella Oil Spray

Citronella isn’t only for keeping the mosquitoes away!

Mix one part citronella oil with four parts water. Spray to repel your cat like magic!

Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Another simple mixture is apple cider vinegar and water.

Add apple cider vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Load it into your spray bottle, and you’re ready to go!

Use Twigs All Over The Soil

Cats may see your garden and soil as one giant litter box, so you need to change their perception.

Try making the ground in your garden uncomfortable for your cat or cats to walk on.

Some people use eggshells for this, but they are not strong enough. Your cat can easily walk over them, and they will quickly decompose into the soil.

Instead, I suggest that you try twigs. Spread a healthy layer of twigs and mulch across your garden.

Twigs and mulch won’t disturb your plants, but they will make it unpleasant for your cat to walk around.

For many cats, this is enough to keep them away!

Use Stakes To Make Moving Around More Difficult

You can use stakes or chopsticks to make it difficult for the cat to move around the garden.

Now, most people say that this method does little to deter cats, but if you are looking for a low-effort solution, this could be it.

All you need to do is use sticks, chopsticks, or stakes in your garden to make it harder for the cat to walk around. Put them in places that make it more difficult to turn around.

The biggest drawback to using these is that you also have to maneuver around them. It can make tending to your garden more of a chore without doing enough to make cats stay away from the garden.

Build A Fence

Fencing is always my go-to option when it comes to protecting a garden.

A fence will protect many predators, from deer to squirrels, so you should consider a fence no matter what animal gives you problems.

You may not be handy, but fences are relatively easy to build on your own, with some wood and chicken wire to cover the holes between the woods.

If you aren’t handy, you can purchase pre-made fence sections or hire someone to build the fence for you.

I probably don’t need to tell you this, but a fence alone won’t stop a cat because they can most likely scale it.

A fence will work best in tandem with other methods discussed in this article, which can make your work cut out for you!

Keep The Sprinklers On

One way to scare a cat is to get them wet. They’ll never do it again!

I don’t need to tell you how much cats hate water and getting wet, especially when it happens suddenly.

Use your sprinklers to your advantage by using them to wet your cat.

I know, I know. It sounds mean to do, but it will teach your cat a lesson quickly. Anyway, a little bit of water isn’t going to hurt your cat.

If you don’t have sprinklers installed around your garden, your hose will also work. Turn it on and give your cat a quick burst of water.

Have Things That Make Noise Nearby

Cats can get scared by sudden noises, deterring them from going into your garden.

Now, this one will only work if you have a timid cat scared by sudden noises. Even scaredy cats like to spend their time wandering around.

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this is to install windchimes.

If you know a particular spot where your cat scales your garden fence, stick a windchime there. When your cat goes to jump or land, he will hit it and scare himself!

You can also get more hi-tech by purchasing motion-sensor bells or buzzers. These will sound when they detect movement, but everything from birds to squirrels may set it off.

You may be able to use it to keep pests out of your garden, but you might drive yourself crazy in the meantime!