11 surprising scents that deter cats

Particular scents deter cats but sometimes these scents can be toxic as well. Here we talk about these scents and the best ways to use them to keep cats away from certain areas of your home and property.

Cats are known for their powerful sense of smell. In the animal kingdom, some cats even have a stronger sense of smell than dogs. Because of their sensitive sense of smell, there are particular smells they experience more intensely than humans and may not like them. It’s quite possible to use these smells to create an odor barrier that prevents them from visiting places like your garden or your furniture. Here we talk about the different smells that can deter cats and the best smells to use in repelling cats.

1.Citrus

Cats dislike citrus scents such as grapefruit, orange, lime, and lemon. So you could add orange or lemon peels to your garden to keep cats out. However, we don’t recommend this as such a method may invite other critters like rodents. Again, lemon is mildly toxic to cats so you should never let your feline friend ingest it.

2.Lavender and Eucalyptus

Cats like many other animals (including insects and deer) don’t like Lavender and Eucalyptus. So it’s quite possible to deter them by cultivating these plants. However, Lavender and Eucalyptus are mildly toxic to cats,so you should keep them fenced. You should also avoid using essential oils as a deterrent because it is toxic to cats

3.Rosemary and Thyme

Rosemary and thyme are excellent scents that deter cats. They are also mostly harmless. So feel free to cultivate them in your garden or plant them in pots where you want to deter cats. But avoid using essential oils made from these scents as they are toxic to cats.

4.Pepper and Curry

Pepper and Curry are strong spices that cats don’t like. However, you should never use pepper or curry, especially as flakes for deterring cats. Peppers contain capsaicin, which is a potentially toxic VOC for cats. So using such substances might cause more harm than good.

5.Vinegar

Cats dislike the scent of vinegar. However, it’s not a great repellent since the smell is equally uncomfortable for humans. Vinegar can also be harmful to your plants which makes it an ineffective deterrent. Again, some cats will urinate on vinegar, so cleaning up any accidents might encourage them to repeat.

6.Coffee

Cats don’t mess with coffee because of its strong smell. But that’s not all. Caffeine is toxic to coffee. So you should avoid using coffee as a way of deterring cats.

7.Pine scents

Many of us love the scent of pine around our home, especially during winter. However, Cats consider pine too strong and will stay away from it. Hence, you could consider using Pine outdoors by cultivating pine trees or hedge bushes around your property to deter cats. Still be cautious when using pine as a spray around your home, as some pine varieties may be toxic to cats.

8.Mint

Cats dislike many varieties of mint. However, you should use mint cautiously as overexposure might be toxic to cats.

The best way to repel cats using scents that deter them

Because of the powerful sense of smell that cats have, using scents to deter them is effective. However, many such smells may become harmful in certain concentrations. And it’s a lot easier to go overboard if you wish to prepare your scent-based repellent at home. A commercially-made repellent combines the right scents carefully to create a powerful barrier that can keep cats away effectively. These products are also cost-effective, easy to apply, and long-lasting.

One of the best products that can help deter cats is Nature’s Mace Cat Mace. Made from all-natural, non-toxic ingredients, Nature’s Mace Cat Mace has been proven to effectively keep cats from coming back. Here’s a cost-effective solution that can be used both indoors and outdoors, for repelling cats from vulnerable areas in your home. Choose Nature’s Mace today, and create a solid odor defense that stops strays and feral cats from taking over your property.

How to Repel Cats

Scents that deter cats

Do Deer Eat Rosemary

Mosquito Plant

Do Deer Eat Eucalyptus?