With the onset of summer, many people move to their summer cottages and, of course, take their pets with them. In the heat, no cat wants to sit in a stuffy apartment, but here there is freedom, green grass and sunshine. And everything would be fine, but the fluffy beauties and handsome men begin to walk throughout the entire dacha village and go to the toilet where they like. What if your neighbor has not one, but five cats, and all of them have taken a liking to the children’s tent that is located on your property? The “fragrance” marks eat into it so much that soon it will be impossible to play in it. A separate discussion is about the piles in the garden beds. All this causes understandable dissatisfaction and a completely logical question: “How to keep cats away from the site?”
Trouble in the garden
Try talking to the animal owners first, if you have any. If there are stray animals walking on your property, notify the special service. They will take the cats to the distribution cattery. But let's assume the first option. Since it is advisable to discourage cats from the area for good, tell the owners about the “hooliganism” in your garden and what measures you are ready to take if “guests” continue to come to you.
Of course, the owners will be surprised that their little furries are causing you any trouble. Therefore, make a photo report in advance:
- Cats constantly mark the territory they consider theirs. If your neighbor's garden falls under this definition, then he has reason to worry. Males use not only urine for marking, but also a special secretion that, when it gets on plants, simply burns them. Of course, no one will be happy with a damaged flowerbed, the design of which had to be worked on all spring.
- Cats love to sharpen their claws on tree trunks, which causes them harm. This is especially true for young plantings.
- Cat litter in garden beds is extremely unpleasant. Moreover, this applies to the spring period, when these creatures simply dig up young seedlings when digging holes. And in summer the situation is no better. Who would like to dig up carrots that the neighbor's cat had diligently removed?
- The predatory creature will also hunt in your garden. The objects are not so much mice as birds, which many summer residents, by the way, attract to their garden plots. In addition, well-fed cats have a habit of leaving their torn prey on the paths. Unaesthetic...
- All cats love to bask in the sun, sometimes choosing a flowerbed or bed for this. What happens as a result is known to everyone.
A subtle sense of smell is an ally in the fight against a cat’s bad habits
Knowing which scents tailed purrs like and which they don’t, you can wean them off something and get used to something. Using repellent odors, you can wean your cat off:
- go to the toilet in unauthorized places;
- spoil furniture;
- mark territory;
- climb in inappropriate places.
To wean your tailed pet from bad habits, follow a simple scheme - first remove the cat smell, and then apply a repellent scent to the problem area.
When weaning your cat from actions that it should not do, provide it with an alternative where it can be done. For example, if your purr sharpens her claws on a new sofa, treat it with an unpleasant smell for her, while providing her with a claw clipper for this purpose. Do not be upset if your pet does not understand what is required of her the first time, be patient and then the result will not be long in coming.
Attractive corner
Tell the owners of rowdy pets how to keep their cats away from their neighbor's property. To do this, you need to attract them to some corner of your garden. This can be done by installing trays (if they are toilet trained) or creating a special “cat” corner. There is a plant called catnip, or catnip. Very attractive, it blooms almost throughout the entire summer period and will decorate the site. Cats will be happy to visit this corner, sleep there and chew leaves. And if you pour sand there, then the toilet will be in one place, and not throughout the entire area.
By the way, if the owner has not responded to your requests, and the neighbor’s cat continues to periodically come to visit, then you can arrange such a corner on your site. At least the cats will only visit it, forgetting about the rest of the territory. Of course, there are no guarantees, but most animals really like the smell of this plant.
Smells that repel
Repelling odors do not pose a threat to the cat's health, that is, they do not cause allergies or suffocation attacks. It is worth remembering that animals react sharply to the sharpness of the smell, and only then to how pleasant it is.
Essential oils
The most unpleasant smells for cats are lavender, rosemary, rue, caleus canine, mint, cinnamon, and citronella. They cause the pet to associate with danger and a feeling of anxiety. Therefore, most often it is the essential oils of these plants that help protect the entrance from yard cats. To do this you need:
- spread sprigs of lavender or rosemary throughout the entrance (a dried plant exudes a richer aroma than a fresh one, and it is more persistent);
- mix the essential oil with water, adding a little alcohol to improve mixing, and then spray the liquid along the walls and entrance steps.
The latter method is also effective if the pet damages the furniture.
Photo gallery: essential oils that repel cats
Vinegar
Using vinegar to keep your cat away from a corner has several benefits:
- high efficiency, because this smell has an irritating effect on the animal’s nasal mucosa;
- eliminates the smell of urine, so the cat will not smell its own smell, so it will not go there again.
Citrus
Most of all, cats don't like the smell of lemon because of its harshness. Citrus peels can be used to stop your cat from toileting in the wrong place. You can simply spread the peels in these places. You can enhance the effect by grating the zest or finely chopping it.
Lemon juice is also effective, but you can’t use concentrate because the smell will be too strong. The juice should be diluted with water and sprayed onto the furniture from a spray bottle. Additionally, essential oils, such as lavender, can be added to the liquid.
The smell of lemon is pleasant to humans, but it repels cats
Black pepper
The smell of black pepper disgusts cats. For processing furniture or carpet 2 tbsp. l. spices need to be crushed and then mixed with 1 tbsp. hot water. The resulting liquid must be poured into a bottle with a spray bottle, with which you can apply the product to objects.
Alcohol
The smell of alcohol, just like black pepper, causes disgust in furry pets. Therefore, it can be used to stop your cat from climbing on tables. It is enough to leave a bowl with a small amount of any alcohol or medical alcohol on the surface. And if you spray a similar liquid on the place where the cat has made a “toilet” for itself, then it will stop walking past the tray.
Onion garlic
The cat is irritated not only by the smell of onions and garlic, but also by the phytoncides that these two products release. To get the desired effect, onion or garlic must be either chopped, grated, or blended. This product is much more effective than citrus fruit peels, but not every person can tolerate the smell of onions in their apartment.
The smell of onions can be unpleasant not only for cats, but also for their owners.
Perfumes and perfumes
We cannot talk about a 100% repellent effect. In this case, the emphasis is not on the aroma itself, but on its sharpness. To correct your pet’s behavior, you need to select exactly those perfumes that a particular animal does not like, taking into account individual intolerance.
These products must be used with extreme caution, especially if bedding is being treated. Excessive amounts of perfume or eau de toilette can harm not only the pet, but also its owner
Natural cat repeller
If the reception is unsuccessful, then you should think about how to protect your area from furry invaders. And again plants come to the rescue. There are certain smells that representatives of the mustachioed stripes do not like and try to avoid. If eucalyptus, lemongrass and lavender are planted in the garden, they will not get into the garden. Moreover, the plants will perform two functions at once: they will decorate the area and work perfectly as a “scarecrow”.
The best in this class are wormwood and coleus. The only point: coleus is very heat-loving, so you will have to bring it home for the winter. These plants are planted around the perimeter of the site. Tobacco will be another useful plant, but in order for it to have the desired effect, you will need to dry the leaves and scatter them around.
Spices to help you
We continue to talk about how to ward off cats using available means. To do this, you can take aromatic spices. While the smell of black pepper seems attractive to you, people with mustaches can’t stand it. Therefore, feel free to buy peppercorns, chop them and scatter them along the beds and paths. A very effective product, but the downside is that the smell dissipates and you will have to renew it regularly.
You can experiment on your pet to find out what smell cats don’t like. Today we know that these are cayenne pepper, turmeric and ginger. You can mix them together, pour them into small bowls and place them along the garden. Don't forget to add fresh spices regularly.
Strong odors as a disciplinary measure
Before using aromatic “weapons”, the owner should understand that cats relate to smells completely differently than people. And if it seems to you that there is no smell left from the orange peels thrown from the table, then the cat can avoid this place for several more days.
Raising a cat should not be based on aromatic “therapy” alone
Therefore, when trying to discourage an animal from flowers or some places in the house, the most important thing is not to overdo it, since an excess of aggressively smelling substances can cause stress in the cat, and in the worst case, an allergy attack.
Some volatile substances pose a risk of choking in your pet.
For a cat to have a sudden attack of respiratory allergies, sometimes simply inhaling an allergen is enough, which can be essential oils, household chemicals, or even good perfumes. The fragile immunity of felines is not prepared to deal with such strong aromas that the human nose can barely detect.
Vinegar and ammonia
And to them you can add kerosene, gasoline, crealine and all other strong-smelling liquids. You don’t have to choose which smell cats don’t like from this list. They are all simply unbearable for the delicate sense of smell of delicate creatures. Therefore, we take old rags, moisten them with what is available, and scatter them throughout the area. Of course, this spoils the appearance of the garden, and in the evening it is much more pleasant to inhale the aroma of flowers rather than vinegar. But what can you do... But the cats will remember that your area is too smelly for them, and will avoid it. True, you will have to re-wet the rags every day, otherwise the smell will lose its pungency. But such a remedy won’t break the budget: vinegar is cheap and easy to purchase.
How to use aromatherapy?
To make a cat’s nose a true ally in the fight against her addictions, use a smell that repels her according to the following scheme:
- Remove traces of scent left by animals. For this purpose, it is better to use special cleaning products based on alcohol, citric acid concentrate or potassium permanganate solution.
- Apply a repellent scent to the problem area. To do this, treat the affected area and place a napkin soaked in the selected product next to it.
- Within a few days, while the “aromatherapy” is in effect, determine why the cat is marking its territory. This could be health problems, age, or a tray that smells strongly of disinfectants.
When removing odor, you should not limit yourself only to improvised means, because on the pet supply market there is a huge selection of ready-made products that cope well with the task.
Some owners underestimate the effectiveness of placing a napkin soaked in an odor-releasing agent that repels cats so that they don't poop. It seems to people that they quickly disappear. In fact, the subtle “amber” persists for several days, during which furry owners try to avoid them.
Still, it is worth remembering that “aromatherapy” is only an auxiliary procedure. The main thing a caring owner should concentrate on is cultivating good manners and taking care of the health of their furry pet.
- How to train a cat and cat to use a litter box
- How to train a kitten to use a litter box
- Possible reasons why the cat stopped going to the litter box
Additional protection
If you have already tried the methods listed above and they did not bring the desired effect, then try other cat repellents. Some gardeners say mustard powder works great. They need to be sprinkled on paths in dry weather. Cats don't like bleach, but it's also harmful to plants. But if there is a rag tent or a swimming pool on the site, you can soap it with bleach so that cats don’t come close.
In addition, some gardeners make their garden inconvenient for cats to move around. To do this, a strip is made along the perimeter of the area, covered with broken stones, which are too sharp for delicate paws. Animals will try to bypass such an obstacle and walk on the soft ground.
Dog on the property
Since it can be difficult to drive cats away from your property, and persistent animals keep coming back every day, it is recommended to get yourself a new pet. The dog will take great pleasure in guarding the boundaries of the territory all day long and giving a pre-arranged signal if the impudent muzzle appears again from behind the fence. Usually it is not even necessary for the dog to chase them. The very presence of the “enemy” on the territory is quite enough.
By the way, a domestic cat can also be a solution to the problem, because it will drive away strangers. It is enough to accustom him to the tray and do not forget to change the filler, and there will always be order in the garden.
Other people's cats come through the cat door
If you have pets, then such a door is a real lifesaver. Pets come and go at their own discretion, without causing inconvenience to the owners. And suddenly the latter begin to notice with surprise the unpleasant smell in the room. After observing the territory, they realize that the neighbors’ pets come to them through the small door at the bottom of the main one. At the same time, they eat the “aboriginals” and leave odorous marks. What to do in this case? It happens that pets do not want to chase strangers, and the owners themselves have to take on this. Consider installing modern devices.
Physiology of the cat's sense of smell
The odors that a cat encounters determine its behavioral reactions, having a direct impact on the nervous system.
Therefore, many changes in the mood of pets, which people cannot explain, lie in a new smell that attracted the cat’s attention. This smell can cause both contentment (the cat suddenly begins to purr and rub against its legs), and sudden aggression or nervousness
A cat's mood can change radically when encountering a new smell.
Specific irritants of the olfactory system have the following effects on cats:
- increase/weaken sexual desire;
- increase/suppress appetite;
- activate/deactivate basic instincts;
- influence the psychophysiological status.
The sense of smell plays a special role during sexual hunting.
Be aware that when using strong-smelling products, you damage not only your pet’s sense of smell, but also the nervous system. By inaccurately using strong “fragrances” to correct behavior, you can disrupt your pet’s appetite, cause insomnia and previously uncharacteristic anxiety attacks.
When influencing your cat's behavior with odors, be prepared for unexpected results.
In no case should scaring away an animal using smells become the main way of communicating with it. It is permissible to use this measure in extreme cases, when any attempts to negotiate end in failure. Long-term exposure of a cat to powerful aromas can lead to bad consequences, including pathologies of the nervous system and disorders of the brain.
Ultrasound devices
A device for repelling cats from a property today can be found in almost every store for summer residents; it is not expensive or rare. These are ultrasonic devices that produce high-frequency sound. People don't hear it, unlike cats. Most models run on batteries, so it is important to change the battery every few months to keep it in working condition. There are not many reviews about the device, since it did not manage to gain popularity in our country. But, compared to the listed methods, the device is resistant to bad weather conditions. Its effectiveness does not decrease after rain, it does not erode.
Prerequisites for the development of an acute sense of smell in cats
It is well known that a sensitive sense of smell is one of the strengths of felines. The ability to track their prey by the scent it emits has been developed by wild cats for centuries, so that it can be passed on to our pets in finished form. Unlike humans, who often rely on their eyesight, the most developed feline skills include smell and touch.
In natural conditions, a keen sense of smell allowed cats to survive in conditions of food shortage
This choice is explained by natural necessity. To clarify it, it is necessary to turn to the wild ancestors of our pets. Wild cats preferred to hunt at night - this rule applied to both forest and desert felines. This way they avoided the watchful gaze of larger predators, and gained superiority over their prey, having the ability to identify it by smell over long distances and take the animal by surprise.
In the cold months, a keen sense of smell saved Amur cats from starvation
Impact of infant blindness
The predominance of smell over all other ways of cognition of the environment is also explained by infantile inclinations. Kittens are born blind, so from the first days of life they are faced with the question of effective orientation in space.
Kittens are forced to learn how to survive even before their eyes open.
Kittens are saved from confusion and complete defenselessness by their tiny noses, with which they are already able to smell their mother’s scent, distinguishing it from hundreds of others. Consequently, kittens get to know both their parents and brothers and sisters primarily by smell.
Effective help
In some regions it is not possible to obtain an ultrasound device. All that remains is to try all the listed methods in the hope that one of them will be effective. If the situation gets out of control, and the neighbor’s pets don’t want to leave you alone, you need to use something that scares cats away from your summer cottage with a 100% guarantee. Today there are a huge number of products on the market that are marketed as cat repellents. Some are designed for indoor use, others for outdoor use.
There are two main forms of these products: granules and aerosol. The second one shows itself best if you need to solve the problem of cat litter in the apartment. The spray is sprayed in places chosen as a toilet. In other words, you will have to spray everything except the tray. This form is not very convenient for a garden, although some walk around the perimeter every day and cultivate bushes and hedges. But it would be better to use granular formulations. They create a longer lasting effect and are easier to use. Simply scatter the granules around the perimeter of the garden and beds, as well as in places that cats have already eyed as a toilet.
Recipes
Repellent compounds that you can make yourself:
- The juice of one lemon is mixed with a glass of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray on problem areas.
- Crush the peppercorns and boil with 1 glass of water. Filter, spray.
- Take 2-3 drops of essential oil per 1 liter of water, stir thoroughly and spray.
- Coffee grounds are mixed with lemon juice, 1-2 drops of lavender, rue or eucalyptus oil are added. Form balls and place them in places of possible marks.
- A 35% solution of vinegar essence is suitable for neutralizing dirt from concrete, wood, and tiled surfaces. You can wash the floor stained with excrement in the entrance, then spray it with a synthetic repellent spray.
- Garlic and onion are grated or finely chopped. Place them on saucers in the corners of the rooms, near indoor flowers.
- Essential oils of lemon, rosemary, lavender are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3 and mixed thoroughly. Pieces of fabric soaked in the composition are placed in problem areas.
- The pet's habit of climbing on tables is eradicated by leaving alcohol in the dining area. The smell of alcohol disappears quickly; the liquid has to be renewed several times a day.
- Ground black and red pepper is recommended for use in open spaces. For example, to protect garden beds from uninvited guests. In an enclosed space, a caustic suspension can cause burns to the mucous membranes and provoke an attack of coughing and sneezing.
- Take 2 drops of lemon, lavender, orange oils and mix with 60 ml of water. Spray from a spray bottle.
- Boil citrus peels with half a liter of water for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, add lemon juice and 1 tsp. dishwashing detergents.
- A solution of potassium permanganate and citric acid will help get rid of the persistent odor of urine.
- An infusion of onion peels mixed with tart cologne creates an extremely unpleasant aroma for cats.
Each animal is individually intolerant to a certain smell. You have to experiment to be successful. The use of folk remedies is preferable. They do not contain synthetic additives.
The best brands
Some drugs are complex, that is, they are designed to repel dogs and other animals. Each manufacturer uses different ingredients. Most often these are essential oils and plant products, such as hot pepper. More expensive brands contain predator urine pheromones. Instincts tell cats that it is best to leave the area where a stronger animal lives. Popular and reliable brands include Shake-Away, Critter Ridder and Keep Off. When choosing a product from one of these manufacturers, you can be sure that the result will definitely be good.
Last resort
If all else fails, the owners of the site begin hunting for furry pets. Some watch them at the scene of the crime, others lure them with treats. After that, they give them a beating and send them back to their station. It’s not very humane, but usually after 2-3 “explanatory conversations” the cunning creature understands that retribution cannot be avoided, which means it’s better not to come here again. Of course, hunting a cat in the garden is a long and rather complicated job, so we recommend using one of the methods listed above. Proven repellent sprays from leading manufacturers will provide guaranteed results. But if it’s a pity to spend money on them (and they are not cheap), you can try traditional methods of fighting the invaders of the territory.
