If you are reading this article it’s probably because, like me, you too have discovered that the neighbor’s cats are using your raised garden bed as a litter box!
When planning my vegetable garden, I thought it would be a good idea to make raised beds since our soil is very much like hard clay. After building the raised bed frames, I packed them with organic matter (which was kindly granted by the neighbor’s stable).
Of course, I would never have believed that my raised bed would become the public litter box for all the cats in the neighborhood in just a few days!
To be honest, when I saw cat feces next to my green salad plant for the first time, I thought I’d give up and forever abandon my dream of having my own vegetable garden. I thought that knowing the sneaky nature of cats, I would never be able to keep them away from my garden.
Having to deal with cats took me by surprise. Before I started our vegetable garden, I took all precautions against the attacks by wild animals, such as wild boars and porcupines, which in my area are a real calamity. I never thought that cats also could be damaging my plants!
Anyways, I conducted a personal research and found that there are some effective methods to keep cats away from our plants.
15 Ways To Stop Cats From Pooping In Your Garden
To create deterrents for cats we will have to exploit their strong point: their sense of smell. Did you know that cats have a sense of smell 14 times more powerful than that of a human being? They are so sensitive to smells that they can go away permanently if they smell something that they don’t like.
The following list illustrates 15 ways to keep cats away from your garden. These deterrents are strictly organic, and safe to use. The best part is that you probably have most of the ingredients at your home!
1. Metal Fence Installation
It’s a physical barrier.
How to Apply: This fence is like the one used in chicken coops. Install the fence slightly tilted outwards to make it more difficult to access.
Pro & Cons: This method is the MOST efficient. It has a high cost of installation.
2. Citrus Peel
Cats hate the smell of citrus.
How to Apply: Sprinkle citrus peels on the ground near your seedlings. Repeat the operation every so often.
Pro & Cons: Quite efficient but you need to monitor the area constantly and replace the peels every day at least for the first week or so. If you forget to do so, you will soon end up cleaning your garden from cat feces AND citrus peel.
3. Essential Oils
Cats are very sensitive to strong smells.
How to apply: Sprinkle bits of fabric with natural fragrances such as thyme, lavender, and lemongrass and place them in small bowls here and there in your garden.
Pro & Cons: Quite efficient but you need to monitor the area constantly and replace it every couple of days.
4. Homemade Cat Repellent
Cats are afraid of water sprays.
How to apply: You can make your own homemade cat repellent by mixing 5 drops of rosemary oil, 5 drops of citrus oil with two cups of water.
Pour it in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the cat or surfaces (avoid your plants)
Pro & Cons: It is efficient if you are in the area. Needs some consistency in the beginning
5. Ground Black Pepper
The pepper makes the cat uncomfortable.
How to apply: When the cat will sniff the ground, the pepper will itch his nose and make him sneeze. The cat will associate your garden with places he is not comfortable with and will stop going there.
Pros & Cons: Very efficient also against other bugs and pests. A bit expensive
6. Plant Deterrent Plants
Cats cannot stand their smell.
How to apply: When planning your vegetable garden, put in some plants that act as a natural deterrent for cats such as Coleus Canina, Lavender, and Thyme. They grow quite fast. You can find the seeds here.
Pro & Cons: Works on some cats. Although the plants grow fairly quickly, it takes time and space to grow the plants
7. Motion Activated Water Sprinklers
Cats are afraid of water sprays.
How to apply: This device is activated every time there will be a motion on its range and will spray water on whoever approaches your garden (cat, raccoons, armadillos, etc)
Pros & Cons: Very efficient, but a bit expensive.
8. Repellent Mulch With Coffee Ground And Mistletoe
Cats can’t stand the smell of coffee.
How to apply: Place the mistletoe on the ground and make it uncomfortable for them to walk around. Sprinkle some old coffee grounds. This way you will gain a double effect: fertilize the soil and this drives the cats away.
Pros & Cons: Quite efficient and not expensive. You might need to replace it every month or so
9. Ultrasonic Deterrents
The ultrasonic waves will disturb cats’ sensitive hearing.
How to apply: These devices are usually solar or battery powered. They emit ultrasonic waves that annoy cats and other pests such as rats, raccoons, and stray dogs.
Pros and Cons: Quite efficient. A bit expensive. You might need your neighbor’s consent in order to install one of these devices. The device will not prevent all incursions but will reduce their frequency and duration
10. Cat Repellent Sprays
Cats hate the smell of these products.
How to apply: If you don’t want to bother preparing your own spray, this product is ready to use and is safe to use outdoors, even on your soil and vegetables.
Pros and Cons: Quite efficient and not very expensive. Needs some consistency in the beginning.
11. Floating Row Covers
This method will discourage cats from digging into your soil
How to apply: These row covers (or chicken wires) should be installed above the soil surface in order to discourage cats from digging.
Pros & Cons: Very efficient.
12. Catnip
Cats love catnip plants.
How to apply: Plant some catnip far away from your garden.
Pros & Cons: This method might not always work since it might not keep cats away from the places where they have already got used to urinating and defecating.
13. Arrange a few bottles of water near the garden
Cats are afraid of water.
How to apply: Fill few bottles with water and arrange them near the garden.
Pros & Cons: Although at zero cost, it may not work for all cats. Some are just too smart.
14. Tinfoil
Cats are bothered by the metallic feeling of tinfoil.
How to apply: Place tinfoil on the ground and in places frequented by cats. They should be bothered by the sight and the noise it makes on contact.
Pros & Cons: Very cheap, however, it is time-consuming and gives a messy look to your garden.
15. Provide the cats with a New Litter Box
Cats love a nice clean litterbox!
How to apply: Place tinfoil on the ground and in places frequented by cats. They should be bothered by the sight and the noise it makes on contact.
Pros & Cons: Very cheap, however, it is time-consuming and gives a messy look to your garden.
Why Cats Are Attracted By Raised Garden Beds?
These sneaky animals are attracted to raised beds for the same reason that we often find them resting on the top of cars. Cats are attracted to soft, slightly sandy, and warm soil. Very often, this is exactly the consistency of your raised beds. If your raised bed is in a secluded spot, even better for cats, since they like their privacy while doing their business.
In my garden, I had filled my raised beds with horse manure. It must have heated up in the sun and attracted all the neighbors cats. The strange thing is that usually, these animals do not like strong smells. I assumed they will not get near horse manure, but I was wrong… they have made an exception for horse poop …
Can We Use Cat Feces As Fertilizer?
Some people may wonder: since we use horse and cattle manure as fertilizers, why not leave the feces of cats in our vegetable garden and let nature take its course?
The answer is a positive NO. Cat feces carry harmful bacteria that can be dangerous to humans. The feces, although biodegradable, can take a long time to break down, and become safe. They should never be used as a fertilizer for vegetables intended for consumption. Horses and cows are herbivores, while cats are mainly carnivores. These feces are very different and not comparable to each other. The same is also true for dog feces.
Technically, it is possible to transform cat feces into fertilizer for flower beds or plants not intended for human consumption. This process can take a long time, even up to two years. That’s the time it takes for all the organic matter to break down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass and become free of its toxic residue.
Using cat feces as a fertilizer for edible vegetables could be dangerous to your health and that of your loved ones. I will talk about this in the next paragraph.
Are Cat Feces In Your Vegetable Garden Dangerous?
As I said before, cat feces in our garden aren’t just an aesthetic problem. This issue needs to be seriously addressed because cat feces are the main vectors of dangerous diseases for humans.
The two main diseases transmitted by cat feces are:
- Toxoplasmosis
- Campylobacter infection
Toxoplasmosis:
This is a disease caused by the infection of a parasite, Toxoplasma Gondii. The infection usually occurs by the ingestion of the parasite through contaminated vegetables. In individuals with a healthy immune system it usually does not cause major problems.
The symptoms are usually mild: often asymptomatic, possibly manifested by swelling of the lymph glands, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and sometimes fever. Toxoplasmosis, however, is dangerous for the fetus if it is contracted during pregnancy: the infection can, in fact, cause malformations or abortion. For this reason, pregnant women are often recommended to take a blood test that allows them to know if they are already immunized, and therefore had contracted the disease in the past or if they are at risk of contracting the disease.
To prevent infection, one may need to wash hands and cook the vegetables well. It will also be useful to use gloves to handle vegetables or other foods that may be contaminated by this parasite.
Campylobacter infection
Another fearful infection that cats can transmit through their feces is bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, which is one of the main causes of gastroenteritis in the Western world. The main symptoms of this infection are fever, diarrhea, sometimes with blood and stomach ache. The infection can be contracted by direct contact with the animal’s feces, or through the ingestion of contaminated food.
Which Plants Can Repel Cats?
As I said before, it is possible to fight cats in a gentle way without harming them. In fact, there are many plants in nature that are very pleasant to the human sense of smell but very unpleasant for cats. Among these, the most common are mint, lemon balm, chives, sage, lavender, and rosemary.
We can add these plants to the list as well:
Coleus Canina
This plant is renowned throughout the world for its repellent properties towards cats and dogs. Cats are particularly sensitive to its odor and can’t stand it. By rubbing its leaves, it gives off an unpleasant smell even for us humans.
This plant is fairly available and grows very quickly. It should be planted in spring. It has an effective decorative effect with its light green leaves and flowers with delicate lilac shades’.
Odorous Verbena (Aloysia Citriodora)
This plant, native to South America, gives off a citrus aroma. It has pretty purple flowers and is particularly decorative. In optimal climatic conditions, it is a perennial plant, but where the winters are particularly cold it should be grown as an annual. It is possible to prepare excellent herbal teas with this plant.
Ruta Graveolens
It is a perennial herb pretty easy to grow. It loves well-drained and sun-exposed soils. Its ornamental value is very appreciable and is often inserted in borders of mixed flowers. Again, cats can’t stand the smell. It can also be used in the kitchen, but with caution: in fact, high doses of this plant can be poisonous.
Dictamnus
The Dictamnus is a plant that belongs to the Rutaceae family. It has ash-like leaves that are covered with glands that give off a scent of citrus and vanilla. It is very pleasant for humans but unpleasant for cats. This plant likes full sun exposure, even in poor soils. It is very ornamental due to the large spikes of white-pink flowers that it produces in summer.
But be careful not to let children play with these plants. Rubbing the leaves on the skin can cause irritation.
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FAQs
How do I protect my raised beds from cats? ›
Stretching netting over beds, running string between posts at the top of fences and using light mulches that a cat's feet will sink into will all make a cat feel that it's not on solid ground, encouraging it to go elsewhere.
What is the best natural cat repellent for garden? ›To keep cats away from gardens, flower beds, or specific areas of property, scatter fragrant items that don't appeal to a cat's sense of smell, like fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus-scented sprays, coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, or oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus.
How do I keep feral cats out of my vegetable garden? ›Smells: Strong smelling substances that cats don't like are often recommended such as orange peel, coffee grinds (try your local cafe for used grinds), pepper etc. These usually need replenishing every few days, particularly after rain.
Do coffee grounds keep cats away? ›Coffee Grounds
The strong smell of coffee can be enough to keep cats off of your garden. Simply take your fresh, wet coffee grounds and distribute them around your borders and plants where you want to discourage feline attention.
You can try orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus scents), the herb rue which can also be planted live, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco and various oils, including lavender, lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus and mustard.
What is the most effective homemade cat repellent? ›Mix together lemon juice, rosemary and white vinegar - three things cats detest. Put the liquid in a spray bottle so it's easy to use around the garden. Simply spray near where the cats spend time - on planters, the patio, or even inside.
How do I stop cats pooping in my garden naturally? ›- Odour repellent. ...
- Citrus peels. ...
- Install a motion-activated sprinkler. ...
- Using sound motion detectors. ...
- Cover your garden with twigs. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Keep your garden clean. ...
- Make flower beds less appealing spots.
You can spray diluted or full-strength vinegar outdoor on places like garden edges, fences, garden decor, posts, and even plants as a deterrent for cats.
How do I stop Neighbours cats coming into my garden? ›Most recommended: Water: Cats hate it, so keep a water pistol (Super Soaker) handy and spray any time you see them in your yard. A spray with the hose also works well. Scarecrow Motion Activitated Sprinklers: The “Scarecrow” senses animals the same way security lights detect people; movement and heat.
Does baking soda keep cats away? ›You may need to use multiple strategies to achieve your goal -- what repels one animal may not deter another furry pest. Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1 gallon of water. Water yellow spots on your lawn every three days. The animal will no longer recognize the marked area.
How do I stop cats pooping in my garden with vinegar? ›
Vinegar, with its strong and soury smell, is said to be effective in removing the smell of cat's poop and preventing cats from coming back again. It's really easy to use. Simply mix vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle. Then spray the plants or areas where cats often poop.
What smells do cats dislike? ›- Citrus: orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Citrus smells are widely reported as being repugnant to cats. ...
- Lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus. ...
- Rosemary, thyme, and rue. ...
- Banana and mustard. ...
- Pepper, curry, and cinnamon. ...
- Mint, wintergreen, and menthol. ...
- Pine. ...
- Dirty litter box.
Cats don't like sneezy pepper around them as they squat. After the first dose of cayenne pepper sprinkled around the soil the problem stopped. Others have tried chilli powder and some swear by cinnamon (which also repels ants so a double bonus).
Is there a natural cat repellent? ›Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.
Does ground cinnamon keep cats away? ›Cats don't like scents that are too strong, like the smell of hot peppers or Altoids. “Strong, biting smells, like pepper and cinnamon (both spicy) and mint or wintergreen, are repulsive to cats,” Hudson said. Cats also hate vinegar because of the pungent smell.
What plants stop cats pooping in your garden? ›Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.
How do you stop cats from peeing and pooping in flower beds? ›Make it uncomfortable for cats to visit your garden
Add orange and lemon peels to your garden beds. Felines dislike the citrus smell and will stay away. If you don't like pieces of lemon and orange rind in your garden, you could dry and crush them into small pieces.
Cats do not like garlic, and many people use wild garlic to make a barrier for the plants in their garden to keep them safe. What is this? Cats have a strong sense of smell which is why garlic throws them off and is great at repelling them. A way you can use garlic to keep cats out is to use garlic powder.
Does orange peel deter cats from the garden? ›Other smells: Commercial cat repellent containing predators' odour could have them retreating, whilst spreading coffee granules or citrus (orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit) peel around the backyard might also repel feline visitors via their noses.
Does apple cider vinegar keep cats away? ›Step 1Indoor 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.
Can cat feces contaminate a garden? ›
Any animal waste, not just cats, can also contaminate the soil with other parasites such as roundworm and hookworm and bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella. So what to do if a cat uses your vegetable garden as a litter box? It must be cleaned and the sooner the better.
Does cayenne pepper keep cats away? ›Yes, you read that right; cayenne pepper can help you fend off cats. Kitties hate the smell of cayenne pepper, and that's one advantage that you have. So, you can simply add it to your garden. Sprinkle the spicy chili around your plants, or you can choose to spray it.
Do tea bags keep cats away? ›Citronella is also said to be effective. One of the things that has worked for me in the past is to save teabags and spray them with a muscle heat spray, like Deep Heat. The tea leaves absorb the strong odour. Place them around the spot in the garden where the cats damage the plants.
Will lemon juice keep cats away? ›According to the ASPCA, cats typically dislike the smell of citrus, so using orange, lemon or lime peels sprinkled around plants can help keep cats away. Using the oils of these citrus fruits is also a smart solution, since they are nontoxic to humans and cats.
Does lemon stop cats pooping in garden? ›Best five ways to deter cats from your garden
Natural deterrent scents: Cats have an amazing sense of smell and citrus, lavender, peppermint, and cinnamon are particularly uncomfortable for cats. If you start to plant some of these scents around (aka invest in a lavender plant!) then it will naturally warn them off.
Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits. Cats hate walking on these surfaces.
How do you keep cats out of your garden without a fence? ›To make a special cat repellent, mix 1 teaspoon of black pepper, dry mustard, cinnamon, crushed garlic cloves and citrus oil. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and fill with water. Spray this on your lawn and garden beds. The pungent smell is said to keep cats away.
What happens if cat eats baking soda? ›Signs and symptoms of toxicity: Vomiting is most often the first clinical sign of toxicity. Others signs may include diarrhea, depression, lethargy, tremors, seizures, shortness of breath, and disorientation. These signs have been reported within 3 hours of ingestion.
What is a cat afraid of? ›In the home, cats are often scared of noisy household appliances, especially if they didn't become accustomed to them as young kittens. Vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, printers, washing machines and hairdryers are common culprits.
Is white vinegar safe for cats? ›“It's really good for them,” she says. You can also add vinegar to your dog or cat's drinking water, about one teaspoon per quart of water. Of course not all pets will accept the taste so Morgan suggests having two water bowls out, one with vinegar and one without, to ensure that your pet gets enough water.
How do you make vinegar cat repellent? ›
Mix some vinegar with liquid hand soap and water in equal parts. Spray, wipe or pour over areas of concern depending on whether its indoors or outdoors. Garlic, pepper, and lemon mixed with water is another deterrent.
What kind of vinegar keeps cats away? ›A way to deter cats is by using apple cider vinegar. Cats have a sensitive sense of smell and will avoid any area with vinegar, a powerful-smelling substance. Other than apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar too. To avoid damaging your plants, you should dilute the vinegar.
Why are cats afraid of cucumbers? ›The mystery of why cats hate cucumbers is normally explained by the natural fear cats have towards snakes. To a feline's eyes a cucumber can look similar enough to the pesky reptile to elicit their fear response and make them jump a few feet in the air to avoid being bitten.
Do cats hate peppermint oil? ›Peppermint oil is, quite simply, not safe for cats. And if you've already tried using peppermint oil on your cat, you've learned that cats despise the smell as well. Your cat's olfactory receptors are 14 times more powerful than your own.
Will chili powder keep cats away? ›Put down extra strength hot chilli powder. It annoys cats' paws and whiskers without causing them serious harm. They'll stay well away. Over many years of battling to protect my garden from these little beasts, I've found the following deterrents to be most effective.
How do I keep animals from digging in my raised beds? ›Construct a wire fence 3.5 to 5 feet tall. For tree squirrels that have no problem climbing, it is necessary to place hardware cloth or plastic bird netting over the top of the garden as well. DEER: A 6' high privacy fence is very likely to keep deer out.
Does cat poop hurt garden vegetables? ›Any animal waste, not just cats, can also contaminate the soil with other parasites such as roundworm and hookworm and bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella. So what to do if a cat uses your vegetable garden as a litter box? It must be cleaned and the sooner the better.
How do I protect my raised beds? ›Insect netting and barrier fabrics are perfect for the job. Enjoy a year-round crop – A garden bed cover like a mini hoop tunnel or cold frame can protect from temporary bad weather like frost or hail, or you can use them to stretch the harvest season into autumn or even winter.
What can I put around my raised garden to keep animals out? ›Chicken wire, hardware cloth or rabbit fencing are the least expensive alternatives for small mammals. A fence that's at least six to eight feet tall will work for most deer, and plastic bird netting can be placed over small edible bushes like berries before they ripen.
How do I keep animals out of my garden for cheap? ›You can add 3 tablespoons of castor oil and a tablespoon of dish soap to a gallon of water to create a homemade repellent. Some animals don't like spicy flavors, To keep squirrels and racoons away, you can try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper flakes to the leaves of your plants.
What is a natural animal repellent for garden? ›
Hot Pepper Sauce
A homemade hot pepper mixture sprayed on your plants will make them taste bad to potential pests and keep animals out of garden. Mix 1 ounce of hot pepper sauce (the hotter the better), 4 drops of natural dish soap and 1 cup of aromatic leaves from plants that rabbits avoid (such as marigolds).
Rodents like squirrels, rats, mice, and guinea pigs are possible animals digging up your plants at night. They are invading your garden to get some food, shelter, and water. It's simple to figure out whether they're the ones digging up your plants.
What is homemade animal repellent? ›In a clean spray bottle, mix two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 20 drops of any citrus scented essential oil into one and a half cups of cold water. Mix well and spray in the places around your home that you want the dog to stay away from.
What vegetable scares cats? ›Cats react because cucumbers look like snakes
To a feline's eyes a cucumber can look similar enough to the pesky reptile to elicit their fear response and make them jump a few feet in the air to avoid being bitten.
Cat urine should not pose a problem for your soil, unless there is a large quantity in a small area. Then, use plenty of water to dilute it in the soil.
Can you plant a garden where cats have pooped? ›Cat feces also contain parasites for roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm. However, if gardeners wear gloves, wash their hands and rinse and wash any harvested crops, they will greatly decrease any chance of infection. So, is it incredibly dangerous? Not really, although there are some risks.
What is the best material to put around raised garden beds? ›Among the most popular materials for raised beds are wood, wood composites, and metal. Within these categories are a multitude of options. Let's look at a few. Cedar and cypress have a similar aesthetic and natural rot-resistance, making them an excellent choice for garden beds.
What should you line raised beds with? ›For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.