Last updated on January 22nd, 2022
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It is a question that has been asked time and time again. “How do you stop the local cats from pooping in your garden?” We can all picture the scene, you go out into your garden that you spend many an hour tendering to your beautiful shrubs and flowers, only to be frustrated by the scene in front of you. The local neighbouring cats have dug holes in your garden or lawn and worst of all, have kindly deposited their poop there too.
Quick Fact! Cat poop is not good for the soil and cannot be used as a fertiliser. If left there and not removed it can actually poison the soil and plants can die!
Quick Fact! Cat poop may contain a parasite known as Toxoplasma Gondii and this can cause serious health problems when exposed to it. It is actually particularly dangerous to pregnant women.
How to keep cats out of your garden
There are many solutions but first, you need to think about the problem area. Is it a large open space? Maybe it’s a more confined space with obstructions such as ornaments and plants. The problem area could be a lawn or driveway to flowerbeds and gravel areas and these are to name just a few.
There are many solutions available, including home remedies made from herbs and spices to cat repellents sprays and pellets. Plants such as a coleus canina (scary cat plant) can deter cats and there is also the option of using high tech ultrasonic cat repellers such as the “PestBye battery operated cat repeller”.
As a general rule, it may be better to start with a cheaper option, for example, cat repellent pellets and these are ideal for use on smaller areas between plants or if you have a small specific area. Other options would be to plant some plants that cats generally avoid as they dislike the scent, such as coleus canina, lavender and curry plants. Another popular option would be to try the (more expensive) Ultrasonic cat repeller that has proved effective for many people.
Types of Cat Repellents & Scarers
The most popular type of cat repellent (and in most cases successful) are electronic ultrasonic cat repellers or cat scarers as they are also known. Ideal for most open areas like lawns and large flower beds with not too many obstructions, these devices send out a very high noise frequency that cats can hear but will not tolerate so will quickly leave the area. The good news is most humans cannot hear the frequency and birds also cannot.
There are many of these devices available, prices starting from around £12.49. Most are fully weatherproof and some are even solar-powered.
The top 6 electronic ultrasonic cat repellers – All have 4-5 star rating out of 5 star reviews
- PestBye Battery Operated Cat Repeller
- Mega- Sonic Cat Repeller
- Selections GFA805 Solar Powered Battery Operated Ultrasonic Cat Repeller
- PetzTrendz Solar Powered Cat Repeller
- Frostfire Solar Powered Battery Operated Ultrasonic Cat and Pest Repeller
- The Cat and Pest Scarer – Flash + Ultrasonic
If you want to have a further look at some cat repellers, have a look here.
Water spray cat repeller
These devices detect movement and then spray out a jet of water, and they are very effective at repelling cats from problem areas. You can place the device between plants and shrubs or in open areas such as lawns.
When a cat approaches it will be scared off by the jet of water and over time it will stay away from the problem area. Most cats do not like water, so these devices are very effective without causing any harm or stress to the cat. These devices have proved very effective but are one of the most expensive options.
Our top 3 water spray cat repellers
- PestBye Jet Spray Repeller Motion Activated Animal Deterrent
- Contech ScareCrow Motion Activated Animal Deterrent
- Procter Pest-Stop Havahart Spray Away
If you want to have a closer look at water spray cat repellers, click the link here.
Cat repellent granules, gel and pepper dust
Most cat repellent granules, pellets and pepper dust are bio-degradable and will cause no harm to animals, plants or soil. This option is usually the cheapest and the ideal place to start when trying to deter away cats. It can take a few applications to see results so be patient. They are ideal for spreading between plants in small areas or specific small locations that cats seem to be using, such as between driveways and paving. There are many types on the market so it is worth looking through a few and seeing which seem the most suitable for your garden. Remember to check if they are safe for wildlife, most usually are, but it is always best to check before you purchase.
Our top 6 Cat Repellents
- STV616 – CAT REPELLENT SCATTER GRANULES – 450g
- Silent Roar
- Bayer Garden 80232195 1L Ready to Use Cat-A-Pult
- Vitax 225g Pepper Dust Animal Repellent
- Doff 700g Super Cat & Dog Repellent
- Get Off My Garden Cat and Dog Repellent Scatter Crystals 400 g
- Defenders STV619 450 ml Cat and Dog Repellent Crystal Gel
Quick Fact! Cats have 40 times the odour sensitivity of humans and can still smell the scent for weeks and months after the application.
Plants to deter cats
There are a few plants, including some herbs and spices, which have proved successful in deterring cats. The scent of these plants is sensitive to cats and is sometimes enough to stop cats pooping around them. By placing these plants in pots or in the ground around a problem area, it can deter cats. Some of these plants can also have a second use because they are herbs and can be used in cooking.
The top plants that deter cats
- Coleus Canina – This plant is for ornamental use only and cannot be eaten. The scent is strong and is due to its effectiveness it is also commonly known as the Scaredy Cat Plant.
- Lavender – This herb can be used for cooking so has another use, the scent is actually quite pleasant to humans unlike Coleus Canina.
- Curry plant – This is also a herb that can be used in cooking and has a distinctive smell.
Fence spikes
Fence spikes have proved very effective and are designed to cause discomfort but not harm the paws of cats. They simply fasten to the top of fences and walls and can be effective in stopping cats from getting into your garden in the first place. It is important to remember that cats can still walk on these spikes but they will not jump onto them, so they need to be placed high enough up where any cats will need to jump up onto them.
Fence spikes are so popular on Amazon that they are a number one bestseller product and have over 5000 high star ratings.
See reviews & prices on Amazon here: Click Here to see on Amazon.co.uk
Natural cat repellents
There are many natural repellents you can try and use to deter cats as well as using the plants and water sprayers as mentioned above. Try spreading pine cones or sharp gravel over the affected area, this sometimes works but some cats will just not be deterred, however, it is worth trying in smaller locations as it has proved effective for some.
Orange peel (and other citrus peels) can sometimes be effective at deterring cats. This is a very short-term method as they tend to biodegrade very quickly.
Maybe try making a cat friendly area in your garden
Another option that may be worth trying (dare we say it), is instead of trying to deter cats from your garden is to make a specific area for the cats. Making a small area of the garden attractive to cats may keep them from pooping in the other parts of your garden. Try making a small open area in your garden for cats by planting plants that cats are attracted to. A few such plants include:
- Cat Grass (dactylis glomerata)
- Lemongrass (cymbopagon)
- Catnip (nepeta cataria)
- Catmint (nepeta x faassenii)
- Mint family
- Valerian (valeriana officinalis, valerianaceae)
Product spot light! – Silent Roar
Silent Roar is a product that is now sold as a garden fertiliser but has proved very effective as a cat repellent. This is what it was designed for originally when it first became available. Silent Roar are pellets that have been soaked in the dung of a real lion and then dried and sterilised. The idea is that the cats smell the scent of a larger cat species (the lion) and leave the area!
Why is Silent Roar not sold as a cat repellent?
The natural makeup of this product has prevented the manufacturer from getting Silent Roar the necessary new EU certification for chemicals. This is because it’s not a chemical and the makeup of every batch of lion poo is different as it fully depends on what the lions have eaten. This means that due to the fact deterrents are regulated by the EU law the product is now sold as a fertiliser – but the product is exactly the same and nothing has changed! Apart from the fact they can no longer legally say it deters cats.
Final thoughts
With many cat repellents to try, it can sometimes take a while to find one that is the most effective for you and your garden. Starting off with the cheaper cat repellent pellets and gel is usually the best place to start, however, it is worth bearing in mind that over time these costs can add up. Electronic, ultrasonic cat repellers have fallen in price over the years and are now very cost-effective compared to buying cheaper products that regularly need replacing.
