Are you searching for a homemade cat repellent solution? This article will cover natural indoor and outdoor deterrents for every scenario where cats are causing trouble. The first part will cover home remedies for training cats to stay away from furniture and other restricted areas inside your house. The second part will cover outdoor repellents for keeping cats away from your garden, plants and yard.
Step 1: Indoor Repellents for Training Cats
- Mix apple cider vinegar and water at a 1:1 ration. The vinegar can also be substituted for an essential oil such as citronella, lavender, peppermint or lemongrass (1 part oil to 3 parts water). Either one will make a fantastic cat repellent spray. Just spray it where your cat likes to hang out. It will neutralize the area and your pet will become disinterested in returning. Always test homemade recipes like this on a piece of fabric to make sure it does not stain furniture.
- You can also use aluminum foil or sandpaper to protect furniture, carpets and counter tops. These items provide an unpleasant surface to walk on. Double sided tape also works great as a cat repellent. They have a hard time tolerating the feel of these surfaces on their paws. This is an easy way to train them to stay away from certain areas of your home.
- Finally, cats don't like to get wet. You can't always be on patrol but if you catch your pet in a restricted area, just spray them with a water bottle. This is the simplest home remedy of all. If you continue to repeat this process, it will deter them from returning to the area. This is not a sure-fire way to repel them but it will help aid the training process.
Step 2: Homemade Outdoor Cat Repellents
- Prevention is the best first step. Try to eliminate the factors that are attracting cats in the first place. Get rid of the bird feeder, put a lid on the sandbox and keep tight fitting lids on the garbage cans.
- Since cats have superior smelling abilities, they are extremely sensitive to scent based cat repellents. As I mentioned above, you can make a really simple homemade remedy out of essential oils. I recommend using peppermint oil for repelling cats outdoors. Just mix 3 parts water to 1 part oil into a spray bottle and apply to necessary areas. You will need to reapply the solution as it wears down from the outside conditions.
- Adding string to the top of your fence is also a great cat deterrent. This will make it very uncomfortable for them to cross or walk along. If you have a wire fence, applying oil to the top will provide deterrence as well.
- Another method that works extremely well is tying a disposable aluminum pan to a stake in your yard. As the wind blows, this homemade cat repellent will provide soft noises that will make the intruders very uncomfortable.
- Finally, this is not necessarily a homemade remedy but it is the most effective outdoor deterrent available. When all else fails, a motion activated sprinkler will get the job done. When an animal walks into the path, it sets off a startling alarm and sends a quick spray of water at the intruder. These have proven to be the best repellent for cats, deer, skunk, raccoon and other wildlife. Again, it is not homemade but it is a safe and natural solution.
Step 3: Give Yourself a Pat on the Back for a Job Well-Done!
Using a homemade cat repellent means you know exactly which ingredients you are spreading around your home. It is safer for you, kids, pets and the environment. It will also save you a great deal of money. If you have any natural cat repellent recipes that you have had success with, please let me know in the comment section below. Thanks and good luck!
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36 Comments
Thank you for the great advice. I have also heard that cinnamon oil and lemongrass oil combined is a great way to keep cats from remarking. I have a 10 year old male cat, Biscuit, who s been neutered when he was a year old. He doesn't have any medical problems but likes to urinate on my bath rugs in front of the toilet. The vet seems to think it's his way of showing dominance even though he is neutered. I was reading the back of a bottle of marks no more @ Petsmart and the two main ingredients in the bottle is cinnamon oil and lemongrass oil. I plan to make a bottle myself and I will let you know how effective it is at deterring King Biscuit lol.
In the top articles u say to use peppermint oil mix with water to spray then at the bottom articles u say how bad peppermint oil is for cats so I'm confused why suggest it if it's bad plus u also say dont use it after u already say 2 use it to keep cats away.do explain
Peppermint oil is NOT safe for cats.
Essential oils is so new to the world that many vets don't realize (or haven't done the research) on what oils are safe or not safe for pets. Peppermint oil can cause pneumonia in cats and other issues with digestive system, neurological issues, and liver damage. Most essential oils are not safe for cats at all. There are so many more options that are safe for animals (see my link above). Please please don't put peppermint oil out to deter the cats.
From the ASPCA regarding peppermint oil and cats:
https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/peppermint-oil
I think it's fine for you to want to deter the cats, but not at their health expense. Coffee grounds would do it! Or citrus peels!
i have heard of Cyan Pepper repelling cats is that one safe?
I have found cayenne pepper is really good but it's very hard to buy it in bulk now as you have to replace it after rain or wind, often. I used to buy it for my neighbours who had a vegie garden which my cats loved to dig in during the day. They HATED the cayenne pepper and after a number of bags to my neighbours it eventually worked. I now have the same problem where I am living. Have also been looking for other ways as there are many stray cats living a round the area. Outside of the house (front) it just stinks.
I was told not to ever use cayenne pepper to repel animals. Rabbits and squirrels walk in it, clean their face and get it in their eyes. They will scratch their eyes practically blind trying to clean them.
where exactly is the information about the peppermint in this website. I can only find information about where to donate, pet safety ,,Etc nothing about peppermint essential oils
I don't think the plan includes capturing the stray cat and forcing it to ingest peppermint oil. I would hope getting a slight whiff of peppermint oil in the open air is not toxic.
On repelling outdoor cats, could not read past #1....."Get rid of the bird feeder". I bought my home on over an acre 25 years ago because it is in a major bird migration flight area. Since then I have many new neighbors who own cats. Most are not neutered so many kittens have become feral and moved into barns and sheds. They and pet cats screech all night, have made my garden a toilet and have killed baby chickens and songbirds before I could run them off. I have tried to appeal kindly with the neighbors about this problem but each one answers with a variation of "that's how cats are". I would never harm an animal, wild or domestic, but why do cat owners, and you apparently, believe that I should give up something I love so that others can have cats?
Totally agree on the cat problem Donna. I have problems with the neighborhood cats. I don't live on a large acreage but I feed the birds and love watching them. When we bought our home we put up a privacy fence to keep our dogs enclosed as required. Our neighbors cats climb the fence to come after the birds and the rabbits that visit our back yard. While they hunt they also dig and urinate. When talking with one neighbor to try to get them to keep in their cat for a few days so the yellow finches babies on our front porch could get big enough to fly away we were told that is just a cats nature and he wouldn't keep it in for birds. Why we must control our dogs while cats roam free is maddening to me. I believe cat owners should be required to build outdoor enclosures on their property if they want to let them outside; not only for the neighbors rights but the safety of the cats. It has become in my nature to shoot a bb-gun at cats.
So it's not ok for a cat to hunt, which is in its nature, yet it's ok for you to shoot an animal with a bb gun. I can see already the type of shitty person you are.
I do not agree with shooting a cat with a bb gun. The same law that apply to dogs should apply to cats. If you own pets, keep them on your own property. When a person refuses to keep control of their pets, get the law involved.
I don't think she is a shitty person at all. Obviously you don't live in an area where every neighbor around you are cat owners but do not not have their cats spayed or neutered so the cats just keep on reproducing. Cats can actually become pregnant as young as four months of age, having a litter when they are six months old. This is the case in my neighborhood..kittens having kittens. I guess you think it's better that they get run down in the street constantly trying to cross over from their yards to mine? They use the front and side yards of my property (I live in an area with sandy soil and very little grass) as their personal litter box..no less than 10 cats. Can't walk out the front door for the smell knocking you back. Our vehicles our scratched up from all the cats that climb and play on them. Can't even wash our camper without the smell burning our throats and stinging our eyes..yes, the ammonia is that strong. We've tried store bought repellents, homemade repellents, etc. but nothing works long term and I'm sorry but my husband is disabled and I don't make an awful lot of money to keep spending it on cat repellents to repel cats off of MY property. My granddaughters should be able to go outside and play in the yard whenever they want to or whenever I want to take them out for some fresh air. Again, it is MY property! We have resorted to shooting plastic bb's at the cats..it only stuns for a moment but it is working and slowly but surely, we are seeing less and less cats on the property. If that makes me a shitty person, then so be it. BTW, by nature I am a cat lover but not all cat owners are RESPONSIBLE pet owners!!!
Agreed
I dont no where u live but they need to make them get them fix like they do here in Illinois and keep there pets inside
Back ground before reply. I am a spoiled westerners, I have luxury time and money. I have several fur friends, when they are sick I nurse them, when they die they are sealed in beautiful colors and I burry them over looking lakes and vallies. Then I cry.
Read the irony of that person's message. They shoot the cats because it's in their nature the same as the owner of the cats say it's in the cats nature to kill the birds for fun. The cat problem is a human problem of a lack of accountability. Also the b.bs. could be plastic for all we know. Bird population are in decline world wide due to humans and their technology and most of us are to blame.
Ok, ur cat "hunts" my birds, my dog hunts ur cat! Keep em on ur own property or they will be Scooby snacks!
I could not agree more bb gun pepper peppermint whatever it takes. Cat owners don't care if our kids play in cat owe smelling grass or if ammonia fills the air. Why should I care of their I'm tamed feline pucks up peppermint? I pick up cat unite and cat poop every time I water my lawn. Kill them control them or contain them. If a dog owner has to so should a rat in San cat owner.
So true
Would the movement sprinklers work? I don't think you should get rid of your bird house. As a bird and cat lover I know where the dilemma is... Where is your bird house? On a pole? in a tree? Maybe there's something we can put on or near it so the cats don't go there. What if you tried growing citronella plants or some kind of plant they hate around the perimeter of where you're trying to keep your chickens?
I agree wholeheartedly - fact is - I love my birds - nothing more soothing to than to sit and watch them feed.
Shouldn't have to give up what u love cause people can't keep their cats from being a nuisance to others! Their love for their cat isn't more important than what u love. If they cared about them that much they would keep their cats home cause everyone complains about them when they r destroying everything and they might just destroy the wrong persons property one day and get hurt or killed! Ur own fault if u don't keep an eye on ur cat and think they can roam as they please! Guess what....they're gonna destroy someone's stuff one too many times...and when u can't find ur kitty, blame urself for being a lazy pet owner and thinking a damn cat can do whatever to anyone's stuff. We CAN do something about it! And most people will!
While I understand cats may be "maddening" to some, I am a cat lover & have 12 cats on 2 acres mainly due to rescue. Cats cannot be contained in a yard like dogs. Their nature is to roam & prowl. All of my cats have been fixed, have their shots, etc. They have cat doors in & out of the house. To try to build some sort of containment would be a major undertaking for any cat owner. In talking with my neighbors, I told them if they were being a bother, to spray them with a water hose. For many folks, their pets are loved like they were their own children. Where I live, it is against the law to shoot cats with anything, including a bb gun. You may want to check your local laws, and/or consider that bb guns can maim a cat in many ways, and/or check your own humanity and pursue other ways to deter them.
I'm not trying to be rude, BUT...PISS on the cats!! I have worked my tail off detailing my yard! Dug it up turned the soil so can plant new grass seed...And you seriously want me to think of the dang cat! Ummmm, total bullshit! I think not! If the cats want to pay for the cost of all I've done and put the I have, I MtIT think of
Cats are a pest - I live in a very hot and humid environment - got to keep my windows and doors closed otherwise the bloody things pee and scratch every flippen where and I have to struggle to get rid of the damn awful and horrid smell that lingers forever. Hate cats - if you love them spay neuter or whatever you do but keep the devils in your premises and out of ours
I too rescue cats and have 13 at present. I try keeping the youngest indoors but the adults like to have outdoor time during the day. If someone was to shoot my cats, I would shoot them. It is cruel and illegal to go around shooting animals. I don't rescue them so someone can hurt them! Shame on you people. It's in a cat's nature to hunt but I always try to go after my cats when I see them eyeing a bird. I don't like to see any innocent creature harmed.
You may want to check your own accountability, for I'm sure your cats are killing birds when they get the chance but I guess that's ok since it's in their nature, oh I guess it's in our human nature not to control contain and train our pets so they are not a problem to others.
Well said! Just control ur pets! And just because it's in a cats nature to roam, doesnt mean they can roam on my property. A cat will destroy everything. And if someone thinks it's ok to let their cat do that because it's in their nature, well it's in my nature to protect what I work for and not let a lazy pet owner sit around and watch their damn cat destroy my shit! One warning would be all I would give , see the cat again and sorry about it's luck.
Here's where I need help. My M-i-L (lives with us) has started to experience memory issues. She has always been the one to clean the litter box. I didn't realize she had quit until my cats started going to the bathroom in other areas of the house. So, now I am making sure that it is cleaned out, but need some ideas on how to make the other areas no longer attractive to the cats. The litter box was in a room I don't use, so I wasn't aware of the overloaded litter box until it was too late. Trying to fix this whole problem and keep my sanity as well. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
According to ASPCA website...
Essential Oils
Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, and effects such as gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression and even liver damage could occur if ingested in significant quantities. Inhalation of the oils could lead to aspiration pneumonia. There are significant variations in toxicity among specific oils. Based on this, we would not recommend using essential oils in areas where your pets have access, unless pets are supervised or the use of the oil is approved by your veterinarian.
Put it like this. You shoot my cat. Your ass will get shot. Eye for an eye. Cats are not treated like dogs and can roam. Sorry you don't like this BUT because you think you are superior and owns piece of property. You are mistaken. Again. Shoot my cat and be put int the hospital or worse. *
Ha! Keep ur damn cat on ur own property! If u can't pay for what they destroy then u better keep em home! People like u are just lazy pet owners that think their cat can do anything and there's nothing anyone can do! WRONG! People have security cameras and when they plainly show YOUR cat destroying something, u WILL have to pay for the damage! I'm not gonna work my ass off to make my place nice to have a deadbeat neighbor not controlling their animals! I guess wherever ur cat shits and pisses on someone else's property if would be ok to let my dog come do the same at ur house! Fairs fair right! And this cats can roam and dogs can't bullshit, it roams in my yard and bye bye! And it would be YOUR fault ur pet was shot because u were probably warned! Just be a responsible pet owner and there will be no problems! And I wouldn't be bragging I would shoot someone for shooting ur damn cat. SMART!????
I hate cats how can I kill them they won't stay off my car?
Jill...your not being rude or hateful. Your being real. I love cats, I have 2 that are totally indoor. We are having a huge problem cause this neighbor lady wants to feed all the damn strays and so they are outside our house. We live in a mobile home and they go all under our house. So my indoor cats are nervous and have been pissing and shitting trying to mark their territory. I'm sick of it. Totally. So, I am going to find something to get rid of these cats before my husband starts shooting them. I don't want to hurt them but they are costing me money and ruining the house. So... drastic measures. We've tried talking to her with no avail. I know here your coming from by saying they are tearing up your shit and causing problems. It's time to solve these problems. What have you done before the that helped?
I love all animals but when you repeatedly warn the owner about their furry friend hell yeah I would take action. I don't want my motorcycle smelling like cat piss, I cover it but still he climbs under it and leaves his mess on my seat even my tarp smells and I hate to touch it. I've been looking for natural ways to handle the problem but if all else fails I'm going to start sending warning shots at him with my pellet gun.
Wow....I see that people are as passionate of their property and lifestyle as they are of their cats. There's nothing wrong with either way of thinking (in my opinion). Each pet owner should take responsibility of their furry kids. Get them Spayed and Neutered. Try to keep them home. If they stray, be prepared to lose them. Dogs and a fast moving Chevy will likely take them before a property owner will. I ADORE my Cats, but I keep them home (and am able to, luckily), but if they ever got out, I would be prepared to lose them. I am actually surprised that so many are so hostile to the posters here trying to find a natural and safe repellent other than just go out and "trap" them. I am thankful that you property owners are trying to find solutions without harming the cats. As a property owner too, I understand fully the desire to keep YOUR place like YOU want. Good luck to all of you.
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