Question
My male cat urinated in a large potted (floor) plant and now it stinks to high heaven.  I'd like to try to keep the plant, but can't stand the smell.  Any ideas?  I've heard about a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap, but I wonder if that would kill the plant.  Thanks.

Answer
Dear Kristen,

Not being a cat lover I haven't, thankfully, encountered this problem but this is what I would do as, apart from the awful smell, the nitrogen in urine could kill off the roots of your plant.

I am hoping that you have an outside area since your plant is large.  If you do then take it outside, [the plant not the cat although you might want to treat the cat in the same way!!] turn on your hose and flush out all the urine from the soil.  At the same time you can add some white vinegar to the soil which will neutralise the urine and restore the ph level.

If you don't have an outside area then it is going to be more difficult.  I would put the plant in a bucket of water and vinegar mixture, let it sit there for a while, pour away the water and do it all over again until the smell has disappeared.  Of course whichever method you use you must make dure the plant is well drained before placing it back on its tray.  And you will probably need some fresh compost to replace that which has been lost by flushing.

There are loads of ways to prevent your cat urinating in your plants - make the soil unattractive for him by covering it with jagged bark or stones, aluminium foil or place wooden skewers - pointed end upwards - in the soil - he won't want to have anything to do with them.  You can find out lots of other things to do, ie grass to grow especially for him, catnip, etc.etc. just look it up on the internet and you will be inspired!!

And don't forget to give your cat a good talking to and show him that his cat tray, which I am assuming you keep spotlessly clean, is the place for his urine and not your plants!

Good luck

Diana