Dogs are nosy by nature, which means that your plants could be their next victim, if they’re feeling daring. So, how can you deter your dogs from digging or destroying your beloved plants? There are a few ways you can try and keep your pet from diving into your plants headfirst and making it a snack, or just a mess.  

This is Sonny. He isn’t terribly nosy when it comes to plants, but he does like the occasional sniff or lick. The first step is to make sure that you either keep only pet-friendly plants in your home or keep non-pet-friendly plants out of your dog’s reach.  

We decided to try a few deterrents and see what works and what doesn’t impact or hurt the health of the plants. Additionally, we want to determine if it is a cost-effective way to keep pups away. 

To start, we grabbed seven pet-friendly Wild Interiors Blue Star Davana Ferns. We bought three of Amazon’s top pet deterrent sprays were chosen: Grannick's Bitter Apple Liquid, NaturVet’s Bitter Yuck, and Nature’s Miracle PetBlock. We then chose three home remedies, including cayenne pepper powder, lemon juice, and coffee grounds. One plant was left without any treatment to serve as the control. 

Next came the fun part: letting Sonny sniff! The plants were placed around the house to test his reaction over time. 

No Treatment 

First up was the control plant. Sonny wasn’t very concerned about this, because he isn’t overly curious. However, he did take a few light sniffs. 

Next, we decided to try the home remedies first.   

Cayenne Pepper 

Sonny isn’t a fan of smells that tickle his nose, so it isn’t a surprise that he didn’t get too close to this one. The downside of cayenne pepper is that once a plant is watered, it loses its spice and deterrent effects. Additionally, since this was on the soil of a fern that needs consistently moist soil, the cayenne began to grow a blueish white mold. While this mold is likely just feeding on and breaking down the cayenne pepper, having a moldy pot is not ideal. We recommend cayenne pepper perhaps for plants that stay on the dry side, such as cactus, succulents, ZZs, Sansevierias, etc., as long as you are ok with having bright red soil! 

Lemon Juice 

Not shockingly, Sonny wanted nothing to do with the lemon juice, as it’s another ‘tickly’ scent for him. We sprayed it on the leaves and soil of the plants. Unfortunately, the acidic juice caused a sticky sheen on the leaves, which then began to brown and die within a few days. We would anticipate that because of the sticky residue on the leaves, lemon juice would be more likely to cause pest issues. 

Coffee Grounds 

Coffee grounds* have been used as a fertilizer for ages in outdoor gardening, especially around the roots of plants that prefer acidic soil like azaleas, hydrangeas, blueberries, and roses. So, why throw away your coffee grounds when you can just spread them on your houseplants’ soil? Well, not all plants are suited for this acidic addition. The reason why coffee grounds are effective as a fertilizer is because of the presence of beneficial bacteria in the soil that breaks the nitrogen in coffee grounds into a form of nitrogen that plants can use. Indoor plants do not have the same soil system as those in an outdoor garden, so the benefits may be lost. This one intrigued Sonny a bit, but not enough to elicit more than a sniff. Additionally, some very fuzzy white fungus began to grow on the soil, worse than what was found on the cayenne pepper. The coffee grounds lost their effectiveness after a week, so more were applied, doubling down on that mold growth and creating a kind of stinky environment. It is likely that this treatment would cause issues with pests like fungus gnats and fruit flies. 

*An important note about the use of coffee grounds both on indoor plants and in outdoor gardens: when consumed in large quantities, caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea are toxic to pets! While the bitter smell of coffee usually wards off pets tempted to taste, care should always be taken when the use of potentially toxic treatments is used when pets are in the house. 

Grannick’s Bitter Apple Spray 

This non-toxic spray is clear and has no smell. Immediately after spraying, Sonny took a skeptical smell, but wasn’t interested. The base of this spray is isopropyl alcohol, which can tend to be harsh on plants if sprayed too thickly. While there were some residue spots on the leaves, they did not cause any yellowing or browning - they just looked like water spots. After two weeks, the effectiveness seemed to wear off and reapplication was necessary. 

NaturVet’s Bitter Yuck Spray 

Bitter Yuck has similar properties and effectiveness to Bitter Apple. Upon spraying, there was a more noticeable rubbing alcohol smell, which eventually faded. Like Bitter Apple, there were noticeable droplet marks on the fern’s leaves, but they did not appear to cause any burning or damage. Sonny never got close enough to this plant to form a serious opinion. It is possible that the scent was like Bitter Apple. Like Bitter Apple, this spray stuck around for a bit, but by week two we needed to retreat the plant to keep Pepper away. 

Nature’s Miracle PetBlock Spray 

This was an interesting spray to try out. Unlike the others, it has a very noticeable smell of cloves and other spices. The smell was pleasant and peaked Sonny’s interest. After two weeks, the smell and deterrent effect was gone, and the plant needed treatment again. This plant did not have any obvious spots on it after treatment. 

While some of these treatments wear off after a week or two, they can be effective in conjunction with proper pet training. When we bring new plants home, we always let Sonny approach and sniff and explore the area around the plants. With the spray on the leaves, there is a buffer for our plants for when our eyes may not be on our curious dog. 

Do you have a tried-and-true way to keep prying paws away from your plants? Please share it with us on our social media pages! 

**Important Notice for Pet Owners: ** 

Before adding new plants to your home, please be aware that some houseplants can be harmful to pets. Many common plants contain toxins that can cause reactions ranging from mild irritation to serious health issues. 

**Understanding the Risks of Houseplants to Your Pets** 

Houseplants can bring a touch of nature into our homes, purify the air, and enhance our living spaces. However, for pet owners, it's essential to recognize that not all plants are safe for our furry friends. While we strive to clearly indicate on our website whether a plant is pet-friendly, it's crucial to be aware that many common houseplants contain irritants and toxins that can pose serious health risks to pets. 

The effects of plant toxins on pets can vary widely. Ingestion of certain plants may result in mild symptoms such as drooling or mouth irritation. However, more toxic plants can cause severe reactions, including vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and in extreme cases, even death. To ensure the safety of your pets, it's vital to thoroughly research any plant you intend to bring into your home. 

Before introducing a new plant to your living space, take the time to understand the potential risks it may pose to your pet’s health. Here are some steps you can take: 

1. **Consult Reliable Sources: ** Websites like the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center provide comprehensive lists of toxic and non-toxic plants. 

2. **Speak with Experts: ** Reach out to your veterinarian or a knowledgeable plant store staff member for advice. 

3. **Observe Your Pet: ** Monitor your pet's behavior around new plants and seek immediate veterinary attention if you notice any of these signs of distress. 

• Continuous vomiting 

• Difficulty swallowing 

• Drooling/salivation 

• Bloody diarrhea 

• Tremors 

• Poor coordination when walking 

• Elevated or irregular heart rate 

• Lethargy 

• Weak pulse 

• Skin irritation 

• Conjunctivitis

By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of houseplants without compromising the health and safety of your beloved pets. For more detailed information, you may want to explore the following resources: 

[ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center] 

[Pet Poison Helpline] 

[American Veterinary Medical Association] 

[Merck Veterinary Manual] 

[PETA] 

Remember, a little research can go a long way in preventing potential emergencies and ensuring a safe environment for all members of your household, both two-legged and four-legged.