Best Cat Deterrents That Actually Work

No matter how much we love and care for our pets, sometimes they know to behave in a manner that just drives us mad. They can be quite the troublemakers and there isn’t really a way to stop them from doing something if they’ve set their mind on doing it. This often calls for a cruel reaction on our part that we aren’t always proud of.

You’ve probably heard of dog bark collars that stop dogs from barking and can be used for training too. Well, there are ways to deter your cat or stray cats from meowing and staying away from certain areas in your home or outdoor space. This is important if you want your pet to learn what behaviour is acceptable and what isn’t.

There are various types of cat deterrents that work well in different situations and which one you’ll choose depends on your needs and preferences. They can be electronic devices or natural solutions in various forms.

Cat Deterrents in the Form of a Torch

This type of deterrents are simple to use and pretty effective. They’re small, handy torches that can have several buttons for easy control. It usually emits an ultrasonic sound that prevents the cat from meowing or doing something it shouldn’t be doing. You can get this kind of cat deterrent outdoor device to successfully keep your pet from unwanted behaviour such as scratching furniture, destroying your yard or digging out your plants.

The torch can be used with stray cats as well but you’ll need to pay constant attention to your garden and point the device in that direction when you see any intruders. So, it may be more efficient for indoor use to stop the cat from scratching your furniture or loud meowing. The ultrasound can be heard up to six meters and there shouldn’t be any obstacles. If there’s a wall or a door, the cat may not be able to perceive the ultrasonic sound. Also, it won’t work on cats that have any degree of hearing loss or are deaf. These torches come with an additional LED light that serves for repelling as well and can be used as a flashlight. They’re powered by replaceable batteries.

Other Ultrasonic Devices

Besides torches, there are different types of effective ultrasonic devices that can be handheld or installed to prevent cats from entering your yard and garden. Just like with the torch cat deterrent, they emit high-frequency noise which is uncomfortable for cats but can’t be heard by most humans. They’re made from plastic and metal and are usually battery-operated. Some ultrasonic devices can have a range of up to 15 meters or more.

Ultrasonic cat deterrent outdoor devices come in various designs that can be solar-powered, motion-activated, or both.

Solar-Powered Ultrasonic Device

Instead of being powered by batteries, these devices work on solar energy. They don’t need any kind of electricity and are cost-effective. The battery will be charged through the solar panel during the day which will enable the device to work during the night as well. They can be installed in different heights and don’t require much for that. Some of them can be water-proof and have dual-charging options. This means that it’ll be able to work even when there’s no sufficient sunlight. They come with a USB charging port and cable. Also, they have flashing LED lights to scare off unwanted visitors.

Motion-Activated Ultrasonic Device

This device uses motion sensors to detect movement and body heat and release ultrasound. The sensors also activate the LED lights to deter the cats. They usually use PIR motion sensors that are low-power and inexpensive. Their range varies and can be adjusted to cover the desired area.

Cat Deterrents in the Form of Sprays

Oftentimes, a spray is a useful cat repeller that’s made of different ingredients whose smell repels cats. You just spray it around the things that your cat isn’t supposed to touch or around your garden to deter stray cats. They can be weatherproof and use various smells that cats find unpleasing, like oranges, lemons, garlic, and other plant-based smells. Their ingredients are natural, non-toxic, and safe for cats. This is an effective method for using at home on furniture that you don’t want your cat to scratch.

You can find sprays that are mounted on walls and surfaces and use motion sensors to detect movement. When the cat comes near it, it sprays automatically. In this way, you don’t need to re-spray the area that your cat isn’t allowed in.

Cat Deterrents in the Form of Powder

Instead of sprays, you could use powders that also use smell to keep cats away. They can be used in all kinds of weather, although dry conditions would work the best since the powder is dry. After rain or wind, you can reapply it to make sure that it’ll work. They consist of natural biodegradable ingredients that don’t cause any harm. They are easy to use and come in convenient packages, like shaker caps.

Cat Deterrents in the Form of Tablets

Tablets are mainly used as an outdoor deterring solution. Since cats not only can do damage to your garden, but some plants are toxic to them, you need to take every measure to keep them away. The tablets are buried near toxic plants and are absorbed into the root system. They can offer protection all year round. The number of tablets that you need for a plant depends on its size and they don’t affect its growth.

Use Homemade Solutions or Plants for Deterring Cats

You can use homemade cat deterrents as well. They may not be effective for every cat, so you’ll need to experiment to see what works best. Some ingredients that you can use are vinegar, garlic, lemon, pepper, coffee, and some kinds of essential oils like citronella. There are many recipes that you can find online to try and make a repellent at home.

You could also plant certain plants that cats dislike. They don’t like the smell of lavender, rue, lemon thyme, pennyroyal, and others. By planting these in your garden, cats will stay clear of it. In addition to this, since cats have aversion to citrus smells, you could spread lemon or orange peels throughout the soil.

---