How can I deter my kittens from destroying my house plant?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

I'm a serial plant killer but I have a Monstera that I've kept alive for 18 months and it's thriving, I'm very proud of it! But my kittens have just discovered it and decided that it's really fun to play with 😩 they've shredded a few leaves and bent a few stalks. I know from googling that it's a little bit toxic but not fatal to them.

What can I do to keep them off it? Would it kill my plant if I sprayed the leaves with orange oil?

I'd move the plant somewhere where they can't get to it

There isn't really anywhere I can put it, it's quite big. It's too heavy for a shelf and if I put it on a table they'd find a way up there somehow!

You move it or they’ll shred it. Orange oil won’t put them off for long.

I've just had the same problem.
Mine were digging in it, and had started using it as a toilet.
I had to drag it outside - it's huge - empty the enormous tub and replace the compost. Then, I cut a circle of shiny, slippery 'stuff' that I'd scrounged from the painted, and made a physical barrier.
They've lost interest now they can't get at the fun bit - the soil.
They've chewed and shredded other house plants, though. Having said that, they were obsessed with them when they first moved in, but are less interested, 10 weeks later.
My girl usually only does it, now, if she wants to play, and I'm not giving her the attention she wants. She literally stands in the window, where all the plants are and calls out to me, looking at me, then at the plant. Daring me to ignore her.
I have to leave them overnight, for the first time, in a few weeks, and fully expect the plants to take the brunt of any upset.

Move it or they'll destroy it. If it's toxic I wouldn't even have it in the house, to be honest.

Kittens/cats and plants are rarely a good combination.

This was our kitten back in March. I had to give up and put it in bathroom so he couldn't get it. He has also broken a stem on my orchid that I had waited a year to grown back, I was gutted

I wouldn't risk my kittens' health for the sake of a plant.It's not worth it.

Sorry, not worth it.
"Little bit toxic but not fatal".😱

Yes it can cause some skin/mouth irritation if they chew it. Hardly life threatening

Yes it can cause some skin/mouth irritation if they chew it. Hardly life threatening

Hardly nice for your kittens to experience though. Is keeping a plant really worth causing that kind of discomfort to your pets?

Get some cat nip plants. Make them their own garden area!

Yes I realise that, and I'm glad it's not fatal, but why would you risk little kittens' health for a house plant.?l

My 16 week old cat even digs in a huge cactus.. it's so prickly it's a wonder it hasn't put her off.. l tried spraying round the plant pot with cat behaviour spray.. didn't work.. so made a disc out of shiny cardboard..( lift it off to water the plant) she's given up now.

Black pepper sprinkled heavily over it will do the trick. Remember to season it at least weekly.