Good idea. Mine don't bother the plants - they just wait for the green tomatoes and then steal them. ;) Hot pepper spray also works.

Dave

First, as a wildlife biologist, you do not have to worry about cats getting rabies from eating squirrels...never been a documented case of a squirrel having or carrying rabies.
Second, my question is about dogs and blood meal. I have read that dogs are attracted to blood meal and will dig up the plants if you put blood meal around them. Does anyone have first hand experience with this?

I was so happy my upside down tomatos were giving me fruit!!! Then I started finding hunks being taken out of the toms that were turning color Hmmmm... caught the invader red handed so to speak. A red headed woodpecker! He soon tired of me removing the fruit just before completly changing color. Two days later, my toms were simply gone off the vines. Vanishing whole. Thats when I caught an incredibly hungry squirrel! He returned (simply to torment me) at will, and stripped all of my plants in three days. Even with everything I threw at it. My husband suggested I tether the cat to the plant stand, but the squirrel would probobly torment her too!! Seriously, I will try some of the suggestions here, and hope to have some better luck. BTW we have been having pretty serious drought conditions. Maybe they are just thirsty.

I've never had a squirrel or bird bother mine yet..it's because I have a feeding station set up in another part of the yard..I make sure they have plenty of seed, fruit, and peanuts to eat and plenty of water so they leave my veg's alone!

I know this is not a solution for most..but it works great for me!

No experience with blood meal..sorry