What can be done to keep cats and dogs from digging in a flower bed?

The dogs and cats dig holes in my flower bed. I can not plant shurbs or flowers in it. They dig them up.

What can be done to keep cats and dogs from digging in a flower bed?
Fencing is the best way but not always possible or desireable.





I suggest planting geraniums and marigolds in the outer edge of the area. They are very pretty but the smell is so strong, it will keep animals away,





A last resort is to catch the pet doing the damage and spray with a water gun, yell at them. The cat's especially.
Reply:put a high fence


there is also this thing at petsmart that keep animals away from certain areas too.


u spread on the ground and animals stay away from it...
Reply:A. Buy some snuff (powdered tobacco that people 'dip' with)and liberally sprinkle around on top of the soil or mulch. Some familiar brand names are "Garrett", "Tube Rose", etc.








B. Cut up or grind up bunches of orange or citrus peelings and sprinkle around flowerbeds.








C. Put down 'chicken wire' around plants in flowerbeds, then cover with mulch.
Reply:I was all ready to suggest chicken wire when I saw it listed. I put patches of it about 2 inches down, under the soil, as myLab. had a compulsion with a 2 ft. square area in a bed. She did NOT like it when she hit it. It's worth a try and some hardware stores sell it by the foot
Reply:spinkle some pepper around the area.
Reply:I know what you mean. I tried all those products that are supposed to keep the animals off, but don't. Then I tried putting up little fence barriers which seem to work for dogs but not cats. I have a yard that has a little patch of grass. The rest is dirt. I gave up.