Cover with a layer of gravel the cats wont dig in this. Basically cats only dig in bare earth so the secret is never to have such. You could also use decorative bark if it will look better.

Or garlic granules - they don't like the smell

Thank you

I noticed one of my larger houseplants smelt iffy and put a layer of stones on top - not all that small - and that prevented it as well as looking quite decorative.

I always have to use gravel or grit, (neighbours cats), it works! It even looks nicer and stops the soil drying out so quickly. Plants don't mind and bulbs grow up through it if the stones are small.

We usually keep the hose pipe handy a few blasts of water and our cat soon gets the message or anything that is citrus especially lemon they will not go near this smell and as everyone else says gravel

I think I'll get some gravel tomorrow. I did try the hose pipe idea but the cats were gone before I could get it turned on. I quite like the idea of the lemon, so might try that too. Would gravel protect my hosta from slugs as well? Thanks everybody.

Hello
With the slugs I have tried the copper tape around my tubs that seems to work the tape creates a mild electric current so when they come to it they do a u turn you can get this tape at most garden centres but eBay seems to be the best value for money
Hope this helps

ive tried gravel and grit , we found this does not work because the cats where we live still do their number 2's in it
the only thing id agree with is what steve has said

as for pots as i have done to stop my bitch pug x weeing in them.i got som thin wire and poked it into the pot in lots of places so she just cant sit down to do the deed .