Cat Deterrent Plants

Cats are adorable and beloved creatures. That doesn’t mean, however, that they belong in your garden. The last thing you want is to see felines eating your favorite plants, or using your garden as their personal toilet. So here are some of the best cat deterrent plants to help you keep your outdoor space feline-free.

Why Keep Cats Out of Your Garden?

Although cats are cute, they tend to chew on plants and grass. This can sadly wreak havoc on the appearance and health of your yard. Plant consumption is typical in felines and may be an instinctive action that comes from their wild origins. Cat pee is another major problem. Excessive amounts of it can destroy plants.

Feline pee includes urea, a compound that can function as fertilizer and introduce nitrogen to the soil. Yet excessive nitrogen can bring on fertilizer burn. Cat pee, last but not least, has salt that can accumulate and eventually lead to plant dehydration. And don’t forget that cats like to poop in soft garden soil.

And not only does their feces stink but it can carry disease-bearing pathogens and bacteria, and contaminate the soil with parasites such as hookworm and roundworm. Note, too, that keeping cats out of your garden doesn’t only keep your outdoor space safe and attractive. It also protects the cats themselves.

That’s because some plants are actually poisonous to them. If you want to safeguard cats from toxicity symptoms such as seizures and vomiting, you should keep them away from your plants, period.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Why Use Garden Plants to Deter Cats?

What makes natural cat deterrent plants the best option for protecting your garden? Cat deterrent plants tend to include smells that the vast majority of felines just do not like. They beat many other types of available cat repellents due to the fact that they don’t alarm or hurt the animals in any sense.

If you’re looking for a safe and humane way to stop cats from doing a number on your flower beds, you should explore the following natural deterrent plants right away.

Lemon Thyme

Lemon thyme is a type of thyme that has leaves that smell a lot like lemon, hence the name. Since it has an intense citrus smell, it discourages the presence of cats. If you grow this herb next to your garden in hedge form, you’ll be able to prevent most cats from showing up.

Growing it in pots also works like a charm. If you keep this thyme in a pot, you’ll be able to change its location based on need. Cats may be more drawn to certain parts of your yard than others, after all, and having it in a pot means you can move it to wherever you need it.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Common Rue

Using rue plant to deter cats is another option. This perennial herb is unpleasant to felines for two reasons. The leaves of the plant have a bitter flavor that’s in no sense inviting to cats. The herb in general has a rather stale smell that the little creatures find highly undesirable as well. Cats just aren’t keen on munching on them.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Lemon Balm

Although bees adore lemon balm, it’s in no way, shape, or form a feline favorite. Cats are often put off by the citrus scent this plant emits.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Geraniums

Geraniums are staples in the gardening realm. And these cat deterrent plants are a fantastic way to add color to your garden while providing a strong fragrance that cats prefer to avoid.

If you will be using geraniums to keep pet cats out of the garden keep in mind that these flowering plants consist of a couple of essential oils that can bring on skin irritation and digestive upset in cats if they are eaten. These essential oils are geraniol and linalool.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Curry Plant

Do you want to try using curry plant to deter cats? This may be a good idea. Cats tend to detest the aroma of curry.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb that can deter cats easily and safely. That’s because felines just do not like the way it smells. They’re not exactly big fans of the texture of rosemary leaves, either.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Scaredy-Cat

It’s no shocker that the scaredy-cat plant may be able to stop cats from entering your garden. Since this plant gives off a memorable odor that’s reminiscent of a skunk, it understandably encourages cats to hang out elsewhere.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is yet another example of an herb that may deter cats due to its citrus scent. If you blend one part lemongrass oil and three parts water, you may be able to create a spray that can keep cats far away as well.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Plants With Thorns

Are you considering the use of spiky plants to deter cats? They will work as no feline wants to come in contact with thorns when exploring your garden or looking for a place to go to the toilet.

Plants such as roses that not only have thorns but also beautiful flowers and a fragrant aroma are always a win-win option. Prickly and dense shrubs such as holly can also be used to create barriers that cats will not want to cross.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Citronella

If you want cats in your neighborhood to leave your garden alone, you can try citronella. This plant has an intense smell that makes felines want to turn the other way. Citronella can also be used to repel pesky mosquitos as well but you will have to crush the leaves to extract the oils.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Lavender

Using lavender to deter cats is a particularly popular choice. Lavender sports attractive purple flowers that have a strong floral fragrance that many people love and cats happen to dislike.

As an added bonus lavender can grow year-round in warmer climates making it a long-term deterrent. And in locations with mild winters with proper care, it can also survive for many years as it goes dormant in the colder months and grows back each spring.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Pennyroyal

This strong-smelling plant belongs to the mint family and is typically avoided by cats as they don’t like the scent. Also known as fleabane, its leaves can be crushed and rubbed on the skin to repel insects as well. When rubbed on dogs it is known to repel fleas and ticks. Pennyroyal blooms pink flowers.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

 

Oregano

Like pennyroyal, oregano is in the mint family. And not only is it a cat deterrent plant but also a culinary gem. While oregano is considered toxic for cats to ingest, they are not likely to do since its smell is so offputting to them. They are much more likely to stay away when this useful and easy-to-grow herb is planted in your garden or containers.

Cat Deterrent Plants

 

Start Shopping for Cat Deterrents!

 

How To Make Irish Spring Deer Repellent

How To Make Irish Spring Deer Repellent

Irish Spring isn't just a soap that has a pleasant and energizing fragrance. It's also an ingredient that can help keep your outdoor space healthy and inviting. By making your own Irish Spring deer repellent you can help keep nuisance deer at bay. Here's what you'll...

Do Coffee Grounds Deter Cats?

Do Coffee Grounds Deter Cats?

You may find your garden and yard smelling awful because the neighborhood cats have decided to treat the area as their giant litter box. Not only can it really stink but it’s unsanitary too. Cats may also be tearing up plants and digging out seeds and bulbs. You may...

Cats And Coffee Grounds

Cats And Coffee Grounds

For most of us, our first cup of coffee in the day is like a drink of ambrosia. Not only does it smell and taste delicious but it has many other advantages. Cats and coffee grounds do not go together. And this is great if you are having trouble with cats littering up...

How To Use Orange Peels To Deter Cats

How To Use Orange Peels To Deter Cats

Are you tired of neighborhood cats wreaking havoc in your garden or yard? What if we told you that there is a simple, natural, and effective solution to repel them? Enter the humble orange peel to deter cats, a surprisingly powerful DIY cat repellent that has been...

The Complete Guide To Bird Cannons

The Complete Guide To Bird Cannons

Buy on Amazon Birds and other pests can be a huge nuisance for farmers, businesses, and homeowners in rural areas. They can cause an incredible amount of damage, a loss of income, and also be a major safety concern. A bird cannon is a cost-effective and highly...

Types Of Pest Birds

Types Of Pest Birds

Pest birds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However they all have one thing in common: they can be a real nuisance to us humans in one way or another. The following are the most common types of pest birds you’re likely to encounter. European Starling The...

The Total Guide To Dead Crow Decoys

The Total Guide To Dead Crow Decoys

Buy on Amazon Whether you live in the country, suburbs, or even the city, dealing with pest crows can be a significant problem. One of the most effective methods for controlling these nuisance birds is using a dead crow decoy. This all-in-one guide will cover...

Falcon Decoys: Everything You Need To Know

Falcon Decoys: Everything You Need To Know

Buy on Amazon Dealing with the damage and mess caused by pest birds is never fun. However, you actually don’t need to spend much time or money in order to get rid of birds and other pest species. With the help of a falcon decoy, you can take advantage of their natural...

All About Hawk Decoys

All About Hawk Decoys

Buy on Amazon Pest birds can make a huge mess and cause a lot of expensive damage. To help keep birds and other pests away, a hawk decoy is an effective and safe solution. So here is your complete guide to them. Why A Hawk Decoy? Hawks are one of the most widespread...

How To Get Rid Of Snapping Turtles In The Pond

How To Get Rid Of Snapping Turtles In The Pond

Buy on Amazon While there are some turtle species that can live peacefully in backyard ponds snapping turtles are typically not one of them. Not only are they carnivorous but also potentially dangerous. However before you try and catch one, you’ll want to know how to...

Live Animal Cage Trap Tips For Success

Live Animal Cage Trap Tips For Success

Buy on Amazon Pests can be a major hassle; they can cause costly damage, make a mess, and can even spread disease. Many homeowners choose to trap pests on their own using what are known as live animal cage traps. These traps are totally humane and allow you to safely...

Common Pond Pests And How To Deal With Them

Common Pond Pests And How To Deal With Them

While there are many benefits to owning a pond, one of the drawbacks is dealing with pests. And whether big or small they can definitely be a nuisance. Here are some of the most common pond pests you’re likely to encounter along with the basics on how to deal with...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This