How to Deter a Cat
No matter how much you love cats, there are some places where the kittens love, but which we do not want them to go to. As they are adept climbers and jumpers, they have no respect for the walls, and it is difficult to stop them from doing what they want on verbal orders alone. However, there are some natural remedies that do not just keep felines safe, but that deter a cat from invading your space.
You'll need:
- Well stocked pantry
- essential oils
- Cotton balls
- Spray or spray bottles
Steps to follow:
To deter a cat, sprinkle some dry mustard, paprika, ground coffee or dried rosemary to keep cats away from some outdoor places. Some cats do not like some smells more than others, so if one does not work, try a different one, or a combination of several products.
Take a cotton ball and use a dropper to wet it with cinnamon, citronella, lemongrass, lemon, lavender, orange and rosemary oil. Locate cotton balls in the corners of closets or rooms you want keep the cat out of, or place them around the base of potted plants. Alternatively, you can rub oil with a paper towel on the floor, door frames and thresholds.
Boil herbs such as lavender, rosemary and pepper in boiling water for five minutes. Strain the infusion and put the liquid in a spray bottle. Do not use a bottle which previously contained detergent or toxic chemicals, buy an empty bottle from the chemist or garden centre for this. Spray baseboards, the floor of cabinets or rooms, furniture, countertops, or potted plants. It will not hurt plants, but will stop cats from approaching them. The smell is not very perceptible to humans, but will be very strong to cats. Mist areas every one or two weeks.
Plant some herbs around the edges or intermingled with other plants with these scents that cats do not like. You can border your garden with citronella, rue, lavender, rosemary chives and garlic. These are attractive plants that act as a sign of "stay away" to any cats that pass.
Find a location on your property for planting a small patch of catnip. This will attract cats and they will claim it as their own.
If you hate that your cat jumps on your bed, learn how to make your cat stop jumping on your bed with a few easy steps. Also, find out how to get rid of cat hair from clothing.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Deter a Cat, we recommend you visit our Pets category.
Tips
- When using homemade repellents make sure they you're not using something harmful to cats. The suggestions that you find in many sources, such as borax balls, can poison cats, and even cause death of the animal. If you're unsure about a plant, grass, or repellent ingredient, consult your veterinarian or the RSPCA Animal Poison Control Centre.
