If you cultivate a garden and water and fertilize it daily, you certainly do not want your cats playing inside. When cats enter and cause a commotion, they often leave the entire yard in chaos, trampling your plants and wasting your hard work. However, it is too late to act once damage is done, so we have come up with some methods to prevent cats from entering.

　　Another major benefit of stopping cats from entering the garden is reducing the risk of food poisoning for the cats. We know that many plants are toxic to cats, and some are even highly poisonous. Many flowers and plants may cause cats to vomit, have convulsions, suffer liver failure, or even die. Yet these solitary hunters won't always learn after vomiting repeatedly; many cats keep eating the plants that make them sick. Therefore, keeping cats away from the garden is also a consideration for their health and longevity.

　　Method 1: Build a Fence

　　1. Use plastic forks or chopsticks to create a barrier to prevent cats from climbing over.

　　Fix forks or chopsticks between each plant and ensure they are inserted upside down into the soil. Cats generally can avoid large obstacles easily, so smaller obstacles are more effective, especially those with small spikes. The pointed ends of forks or chopsticks won't seriously harm cats but are enough to scare them off. The spacing between two chopsticks or forks should be less than 20cm; too much distance renders it ineffective. You can also replace forks or chopsticks with 25cm plant spike nails.

　　2. Insert thin wire into the soil.

　　Fix thin wire before the plants sprout. Plants usually grow through gaps, but cats will feel uncomfortable stepping on the wire. If plants need extra space to grow, you can cut some wires with wire cutters to provide enough space for growth.

　　3. Install a grid fence.

　　Place the grid fence before sowing. The fence effectively blocks surrounding stray cats. Press the fence lightly into the soil so the soil covers part of it. Plant your plants within the fenced soil. As the plants grow, they will grow around the fence.

　　4. Scatter pinecones, twigs, and stones on the ground.

　　Sprinkling these things around your plants makes it uncomfortable for cats to step on. Cats will feel very uncomfortable stepping on them, and it is hard for cats to dig these obstacles away. If cats cannot remove these barriers, they will stop trampling the soil.

　　5. Lay a special mat on the soil.

　　These mats have soft plastic spikes on the surface. They usually come divided into four pieces, making it easier to cover different sized soils. Different brands have varying specifications; generally, a package contains two to five mats. Do not simply lay the mat on top of the soil. Press the mat into the soil and cover it with soil, exposing only the plastic spikes. Otherwise, clever cats will claw the mat open.

　　Method 2: Scare the Cats Away

　　1. Use water spray to drive cats away.

　　Many cats are afraid of water, so spraying water at cats visiting your garden for the first time can effectively scare them off. You just need to spray water quickly to startle the cat, not soak it. So do not use high water pressure. For some cats, this method is ineffective as they are not afraid of water and sometimes even enjoy it.

　　2. Install a motion-activated sprinkler.

　　This sprinkler detects uninvited guests like cats and quickly sprays water to scare them away. Each sprinkler is equipped with an infrared sensor. When a cat enters, it sprays water directly at the cat. The spray lasts only a few seconds, aiming to scare the cat, not soak it. These sprinklers are ineffective in winter when water freezes and cannot function well if cats do not enter the detection zone.

　　3. Buy an ultrasonic device.

　　Ultrasonic devices emit sounds inaudible to humans but audible and frightening to cats. Once installed, the device automatically detects any movement. When an intruding animal is detected, it emits an alarm to scare the cat away. This device effectively covers an area of 85 square meters.

　　4. Use an air blaster.

　　Like sprinklers, air blasters detect invading cats and then emit a burst of air to scare them away. The air blaster and sprinkler are both nearly silent. Once installed, the device detects animals entering the protected area and emits air blasts. This air blast does not harm small animals but can scare them off.

　　Finally, what plants are toxic to cats? Generally, azalea, grape hyacinth, periwinkle, hydrangea (detailed introduction), oleander, daffodil (detailed introduction), larkspur, hyacinth, evergreen, golden pothos, mandevilla, poinsettia, amaryllis, morning glory (detailed introduction), cyclamen, toad lily, caladium, dusty miller, desert rose (detailed introduction), iris, croton, calla lily, poppy, lupine, and many other common plants are unsuitable for cats to consume. Owners should try to keep cats away from these plants in daily care.