Put containers where pets can’t reach them, cover every opening around the net cups, and use stable containers that are hard to knock over. Pets are drawn to the water and the leaves, so physical barriers work better than training.
Why It Matters
Nutrient solution is water with concentrated mineral salts added. It isn’t meant to be drunk by pets, and some houseplants and herbs aren’t good for them either. Check your nutrient product’s label, and talk to your vet if a pet drinks from a container.
Placement
- High shelves or closed rooms work best for cats, who will reach most windowsills.
- For dogs, height alone is usually enough.
- A grow light on a shelf inside a closed cabinet or a spare room keeps plants out of reach entirely.
Covering Openings
Use lids that fit tightly around the net cups. Any gap is an invitation to drink. Taping over extra holes in a tub lid helps.
Stability
Wide, heavy containers are harder to tip than narrow jars. Grouping jars in a tray with sides also stops a single jar going over.
Protecting the Leaves
Cats in particular like to chew grassy leaves. If yours does, grow a pot of cat grass somewhere else as a decoy, and keep your herbs out of reach.
Related guide: growing Kratky in apartments and small spaces.
