The Best Natural Methods To Keep Stray Cats Away

Domesticated cats can make great low-maintenance house pets, but if you live somewhere with a stray cat problem, then you know there is a big difference between feral cats and a domesticated cat. If you are allergic to these felines or find that your outdoor furniture, window screens, and trash have claw marks, then you’ll want to find natural and non-harmful ways to keep wild cats away from your home. 

Some items you can install to help keep cats away include motion-activated sprinklers, cat fences, and chicken wire. Remove food sources and secure trash cans. Add fragrant herbs like lavender, rosemary, and citronella to your garden, and sprinkle coffee grounds in your yard. Citrus smells, some essential oils, and vinegar are effective at deterring cats, as is the “scaredy cat plant.”

Stray cats can be great at keeping rodents away, but if you find your property has become overrun with these wild felines, then it’s time to think of ways to keep them away from your home. If you want to keep curious and wild cats at bay, but don’t wish to harm them, then keep reading. Below is a list of natural ways to help keep stray cats off your property.

13 Natural Ways To Keep Stray Cats Out Of Your Yard

1. Use Pinecones And Sharp Mulch

Cats are not fans of sharp or prickly surfaces. They prefer soft ground where they can walk easily and lounge undetected. Therefore, if you replace soft mulch with pinecones and other sharp and prickly types of mulch, then they are less likely to hang out in your garden. Pine cones and pine needles are great natural mulches, as they are lightweight and help protect your plants' roots. They have the added benefit of making your landscaping less appealing to stray cats and other animals.

2. Motion-Activated Sprinklers

If you have a large property that stray cats and other animals constantly infiltrate, you may want to consider installing motion-activated sprinklers. These small bursts of water don’t harm animals, but they cause enough alarm and wet fur to send them running from your property. These sprinklers only turn on when triggered by movement, so they don’t waste water unnecessarily. In addition to keeping stray cats away, they also keep deer and rabbits out of your yard.

3. Plant Herbs Like Lavender, Rosemary, And Citronella 

If you are planning to grow herbs this year, consider incorporating several varieties known to repel cats. Felines have sensitive noses, and if they don’t like the way something smells, they are less likely to stick around. Some plants that are known to deter cats include lavender, rosemary, and citronella. These fragrant herbs are great for any garden, and they have the added benefit of keeping stray cats away. These herbs are also effective at repelling mosquitoes.

4. Keep Trash Cans Secure

Stray cats are opportunistic eaters. They are known for chasing down rodents, but are just as happy rifling through a trash can for tasty leftovers from your previous meals. If you leave your trash cans outdoors, cats and other animals, including raccoons and possums, are likely to try to dig through them. Find ways to keep trash can lids securely closed. If you keep these cans sealed and impenetrable, animals are less likely to stick around your property.

5. Sprinkle Coffee Grounds In Your Yard

There are many ways to use your leftover coffee grounds instead of throwing them away. You can use them to feed garden soil, add them to your compost pile, or even sprinkle them outdoors to repel stray cats. Coffee grounds are known for its distinct, strong smell, and unlike many adult humans, cats hate it. When you introduce coffee grounds to your garden and lawn, you add nutrients to the soil while also repelling stray cats.

6. Build A Cat Fence

Cats are excellent climbers and jumpers, which means they can scale most standard fences. If you have a fenced-in yard, but still notice stray cats on your property, then you should consider erecting a cat-proof fence on top of your existing fence. The type of fence is usually a wired or spiked addition you install on top of an existing fence. These barriers make it very difficult, or even impossible, for cats and other climbing animals to enter your property. 

7. Keep A ‘Scaredy Cat Plant’ On Your Porch

Herbs aren’t the only plants that help repel cats and send them seeking shelter elsewhere. There is one plant in particular, the Coleus canina, or “scaredy cat plant,” that is great at keeping cats away. This plant is a hardy perennial that grows beautiful blue flowers and releases a strong aroma. Cats, and other animals like foxes and dogs, hate the smell it emits. Since it’s a perennial, this is one plant you can keep in your garden for years to help repel cats. It’s also non-toxic, which means animals won’t be harmed.

8. Spray A Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is another pungent smell that is likely to send cats running in the other direction. If you notice stray cats on your patio furniture, consider spraying this furniture with a vinegar solution. This smell will repel cats and also help remove any cat odors from your furniture. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, consider adding a few drops of lavender, citrus, or rosemary essential oil, as these oils smell great — unless you're a cat.

9. Eliminate Food Sources

Feral cats are far more likely to hang out in your yard when they have nothing to eat. If you are committed to keeping stray cats out of your yard, you need to remove all food sources. In addition to never leaving food out in the open, you should also ensure you don’t have rodents in your yard. If you do have rodents, get rid of them first before focusing on other ways to keep stray cats away.

10. Get Rid Of Potential Shelters

In addition to seeking food, stray cats are also on the lookout for a safe, comfortable shelter. Crawl spaces under your deck, shed, and home can serve as long-term shelters for cats without a permanent home. If a cat lives on your property, you will see it near your home more often, so you should try to close off potential shelters. Use chicken wire to seal your crawl spaces and the area under your deck. Cats are more likely to seek a different territory once you remove access to a shelter.

11. Use Citrus Smells

Citrus is a refreshing smell that can awaken your senses, but it’s another strong scent cats detest. You can use citrus to deter stray cats from entering your yard. If you notice cats have been digging in your garden, add fresh citrus peels to the soil to keep them away. Alternatively, you can use various citrus essential oils to make a patio and outdoor furniture spray.

12. Sprinkle Pepper Flakes Or Grow Chilli Peppers

Spice is another way to deter stray cats. One way you can utilize hot pepper to keep cats away is to sprinkle chili flakes in areas where you’ve noticed feral cats hanging out. Alternatively, you can make a red pepper solution and spray it in various locations. You can also grow spicy chili plants, as it is easy to cultivate these peppers in small pots. Stage them in a sunny location on your patio or deck to help keep cats out of your outdoor living space.

13. Add Sharp Gravel Borders

Prickly mulch isn’t the only sharp ground cover you can add to your landscaping to deter stray cats. Laying down sharp types of gravel is another way. Cats don’t like gravel because it is a sharp and unstable surface. It is also a long-lasting alternative to mulch, but choose sharper stones if you want to keep stray cats away.

Wrapping Up The Best Natural Ways To Keep Stray Cats Away

Cats can bring lots of joy to your home, but only if you want them there. If you’re allergic to cats or find your yard overrun with stray cats, then you’ll want to find effective and natural ways to keep these animals out of your yard. Some of the most effective ways to keep stray cats out of your yard include motion-activated sprinklers, cat fencing, and prickly mulch. You can also use various smells, such as citrus, coffee grounds, and spicy peppers, to repel these animals.

Some plants you can add to your garden to keep cats away include lavender, rosemary, citronella, and the “scary cat plant.” Remember to remove food sources and close off potential shelter locations, and always keep outdoor trash cans secure.

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