Why Actinidia Needs Protection from Cats

Actinidia is a valuable plant rich in vitamin C. The fruits contain acids that can be used medicinally. A common obstacle to acquiring it is the domestic cat, which poses a threat to the plant by nibbling young shoots. To help the vine, you should take measures to protect it. This can be done using household items and tricks.

Why do cats find actinidia attractive?

Actinidia berries have an alluring scent due to the aromatic compounds they contain. These compounds are found in valerian. For cats, this aroma has a narcotic effect. It induces a feeling of euphoria, impairs coordination, relaxes muscles, and confuses the animal's consciousness.

Pets prefer to completely destroy plantings or gnaw on berries and bark. Animals are often observed rubbing against the trunk. Sometimes they completely uproot the actinidia or fall asleep right next to the stump. Owners often witness several pets fighting over this plant. Cats have an excellent sense of smell, so they can detect the vine from afar.

You may be interested in:

Actinidia - autumn care and preparation for winter: pruning, winter shelter
Actinidia vines are rarely found in gardens in our country. This is due to their high sensitivity to cold, because…Read more…

Protective measures

Frequent animal attacks require immediate action. According to felinologists, to save the actinidia, the following steps should be taken:

1. Use rubber or plastic tubes to cover the stems. The disadvantage of this method is that it leaves the rhizome unprotected.
2. Install nets. To do this, place a couple of tall posts and attach the net to them. This method is suitable for keeping lazy cats or kittens out.
3. Build an obstacle course using branches of thorny plants, such as sea buckthorn, rose, or wild rose.
4. Try to mask the smell. Place dried flowers or strongly scented herbs nearby. Sage or wormwood are good for this purpose. Place citrus peels nearby, as animals don't tolerate them.

Protection is only necessary for a short time. After a while, the vine's trunks become too hard and unattractive. Pets become accustomed to eating the young shoots, even before their stems have matured. According to felinologists, complete protection from the plant will subconsciously wean animals off the plant. After a while, the protective measures are removed.

You may be interested in:

What garden crafts can you make from scrap materials (with descriptions)
To understand how you can use various materials at hand to make crafts, which are always…Read more…

In most cases, actinidia vines require good protection from pets. If you protect yourself from threats, you can reap many beneficial benefits from actinidia. Having a cat is no obstacle to growing medicinal herbs. By taking protective measures, you can minimize the risk of their destruction.