Cats are naturally curious creatures, often venturing into our gardens, where they might find the perfectly manicured lawns and freshly planted flower beds too tempting as spots for their bathroom breaks. It’s not that they’re intentionally wreaking havoc on your garden—they’re just following their instincts, not being mischievous.
Many of us adore cats; they’re not only our pets but also our partners in keeping the rodent population under control. However, it’s not as charming when they choose our garden beds as their personal restrooms. This can be especially problematic in urban settings, although, luckily, my own cats prefer the surrounding fields for their needs.
You might want to deter cats from using your garden for several reasons: protecting young plants, ensuring a clean and safe play area for kids, or safeguarding the birds that come to your feeders.
There’s also a health aspect to consider—cat feces can carry parasites dangerous to pregnant women and infants, so I always wear gloves while gardening to avoid any risk of infection.
It’s understandable if the neighborhood cats using your garden as a toilet bothers you—it can strain even the best neighborly relations. To maintain peace and keep your garden pristine, there are effective ways to discourage cats from treating your garden as their litter box. Here are some tips on how to keep them at bay.
Don’t Feed Them
It might seem obvious, but avoid leaving any food out if you’d rather not have visiting cats. If you feed them, they’ll keep coming back, hoping for more treats. Be sure to clean up after outdoor gatherings, too, so no tempting leftovers or scraps are left lying around. Even small food bits can attract cats, and you don’t want them lingering longer than necessary.
Keep Your Garden Clean
Is there a particular spot where cats like to frequent? Washing the area with soapy water might just do the trick. Using a hose or a watering can, along with some eco-friendly soap, can help disrupt their scent-marking habits. This not only throws off their routine but also helps get rid of lingering odors and fur.
Make Entry Difficult
Start by making your garden less accessible to curious cats. Opt for barriers like dense shrubs or solid fences to block their entry. If persistent felines still make it through, try adding a secondary barrier like chicken wire that angles inward at the point of entry.
For those who prefer a less visible solution, a layer of lightweight, roll-up plastic fencing atop your existing fence can prevent cats from climbing over.
Use Mulch and Hard Landscaping – Opt for Rough Textures
Soft, easy-to-dig soil is a cat’s preferred bathroom spot. By covering your soil with materials like pebbles, rocks, or mulch, you make it less appealing for cats. Not only does a layer of chopped straw or used animal bedding enrich the soil with organic matter, it also discourages cats from leaving unwanted surprises in your flower beds.
Cats have a penchant for smooth, comfortable surfaces. To deter them, lay down materials that are uncomfortable underfoot such as stone chippings, small pebbles, or even spiny plant cuttings like pine cones or rose branches. These can be effective barriers without harming the cats.
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Add Satay Sticks or Plastic Forks Around Plants
Another trick is to strategically place forks in the soil, tines up, to persuade cats to steer clear—just ensure they’re not sharp enough to cause injury.
Cats prefer comfort when they do their business, so make it uncomfortable! Placing satay sticks or unused plastic forks in your potted plants can deter them. It’s a simple way to protect your plants without causing harm to the visiting cats.
Plant Cat-Repellent Varieties
Some plants naturally repel cats due to their strong scents or prickly textures. Consider adding coleus canina, rosemary, lavender, or curry plants to your garden. These not only add beauty and fragrance but also keep the cats away by releasing odors they find off-putting.
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Integrate Dense Plantings
Planting shrubs and bushes closely together can effectively block the easy access that cats seek for digging. Dense plantings restrict their movement, encouraging them to find less obstructive spots. For areas around the perimeter of your yard, opt for thorny plants like cacti
Use Netting for Small Areas
If you’re dealing with a smaller, specific area, fencing or netting provides a simple and affordable fix to keep cats at bay. This setup needs to enclose the area completely, with netting stretching across and covering the top to deter high jumpers.
Keep in mind, though, this might not be the best look for larger garden sections, and it’s crucial to secure the netting properly to avoid trapping or harming the cats.
Lay Down Chicken Wire
Laying chicken wire around your plants can deter cats from walking through or digging in these areas. It’s a great solution for small patches, although it can be impractical for larger beds. Be aware that some cats might not be bothered by the wire and could still sit on it, potentially leading to messy cleanup.
Install Cat-Proof Fencing
Consider constructing a fence specifically designed to keep cats out. You might add a netting barrier or install anti-cat spikes on the fence top, designed to be uncomfortable but not harmful for the cats to tread on. However, without a cover over the garden, these measures may not be foolproof since cats are adept at navigating obstacles.
Lion Dung as a Deterrent
Yes, you heard that right! Lion dung emits a powerful scent that suggests a larger predator is nearby, which can discourage cats from marking their territory in your garden. It’s a cost-effective method and simple to apply.
However, handle it carefully since, essentially, it’s still poop! In the US, you might want to check out products like Primrose Silent Roar, and the UK offers the same.
Use Scent-Based Deterrents
Cats have a keen sense of smell, making them particularly sensitive to certain scents. Natural aromas like lavender, peppermint, and cinnamon are not only pleasant for us but also effective in repelling cats. Simply mix any of these scents with water and spray it around your garden.
Alternatively, you can use citrus peels, coffee grounds, or essential oils like eucalyptus and citronella. These can be sprinkled around your plants or soaked in cotton balls placed strategically at garden entry points. A sniff is usually enough to keep the cats at bay.
Try Citrus Peels
Incorporating certain elements into your garden can naturally keep cats away. For instance, citrus peels not only add nutrients to your soil as they decompose but their sharp scent discourages cats.
Sprinkle finely chopped lemon, lime, or orange peels directly into the soil or infuse them in water to spray around the garden. This method is environmentally friendly and adds a fresh scent to your outdoor area.
Banana Peels
It turns out cats aren’t fans of banana scents. Try chopping up some bananas and sprinkling them around your flower beds. The strong aroma of ripening bananas is a major turn-off for cats. Giving this method a shot might just keep those feline visitors at bay.
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Use Reflective Animal Shapes
Employ the use of metal animal figures with reflective or glowing eyes in your garden. These figures, which can reflect light or glow using solar power, mimic the presence of another creature, potentially scaring off any cat that dares enter. Regularly moving these figures around can enhance their effectiveness, and they require minimal maintenance.
Keep Flowerbeds Moist
Cats are not fans of damp soil, so regular watering can discourage them from turning your garden into their personal restroom, especially if you’re growing veggies or herbs. For an easier solution, think about setting up an irrigation system in your beds.
Install an Automatic Water Spray
Consider installing a motion-activated water spray. These devices are kind to animals and provide an effective deterrent by releasing short bursts of water towards the intruding cat. They’re great for keeping cats away and can protect larger garden areas too. Just hook it up to a garden hose and let the sensor do its work, ensuring no water is wasted.
While automatic sprayers are a bit pricier and need a constant water source, they’re a durable option that not only deters cats but can keep other unwanted visitors at bay too. Whether you have a vast garden or a smaller patch, these tips should help maintain your outdoor space as a no-go zone for cats, letting you and your plants breathe a sigh of relief.
Use an Ultrasonic Cat Repellent
Consider setting up an ultrasonic cat repellent. These gadgets work by releasing a high-pitched sound, nearly imperceptible to humans but highly irritating to cats. The sound is activated by motion and may take a few weeks to fully deter the cats from coming back.
These devices are compact and easy to set up—just pop in some batteries and position them near garden entrances where cats usually sneak in. They operate round the clock and are quite effective, though their range is limited so placement is key. Keep in mind they run on batteries, so you’ll need to check and replace them periodically.
Designate a Cat-Friendly Area
If you’re okay with cats around but want them away from certain areas, consider setting up a designated cat zone. Fill a specific area with loose soil or sand to attract cats.
You can even encourage them to use this spot by placing some of their waste there and offering rewards when they use it. This can help keep them confined to this area and out of your flower beds.
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Set Up an Outdoor Litter Tray
If your garden is a favorite spot for cats to relieve themselves, consider setting up an outdoor litter area. Choose a discreet part of your yard where cats can do their business undisturbed. Opt for dry soil or sand and make sure it’s away from busy areas to provide some privacy.
However, if you have your own cat, skip this step to prevent inviting neighborhood cats into your cat’s territory, which might lead to unwanted stress and confrontations. Instead, ensure your indoor cat has a clean, accessible litter tray, reducing their need to go outside.
Try Moving the Litter Tray
For cat owners, managing where your cat goes can be as simple as rethinking the litter tray placement. Keep trays in quiet, private spaces far from their food and water. Regular maintenance is key—clean the tray twice daily and provide a deep, unscented litter. Avoid placing trays in high-traffic areas of your home, as cats prefer a quiet spot to do their business.
Discourage Cats From Your Garden
Make your garden less appealing as a restroom by keeping it open and visible. Cats prefer quiet, hidden spots, so walking towards them and making noise when they enter your garden can help break the habit. However, ensure they have an escape route to prevent stress and aggression.
Alternatively, you can create a more attractive area for them to use away from your plants, like a sunny, sandy spot planted with catnip, though this might attract more cats.
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