Easy Solutions to keep cats out of your garden

Cats using my garden as a toilet

Explanation: It is a cat's natural instinct to dig and deposit in soft or loose soil, moss, mulch, or sand.

Solutions:

• Scatter fresh orange and lemon peels or spray with citrus-scented fragrances. Coffee grounds, oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, or eucalyptus also deter cats.
• Plant the herb rue to repel cats, or sprinkle dried rue over the garden.
• Use plastic carpet runners spike-side up, covered lightly in soil. They can be found at local hardware or office supply stores. Or, set chicken wire firmly into the dirt with sharp edges rolled under.
• Install a motion-activated water sprinkler (available online) to discourage cats from hanging around your garden.

Cats are sleeping under my deck or in my shed

Explanation: The cats are looking for dry shelter away from the elements.

Solutions:

• Physically block or seal the location the cats are entering with chicken wire or lattice once you are certain the cats are not inside. Be sure to search for kittens before confirming that the cats have left – especially during spring, which is the prime kitten season.

Cats are yowling, fighting, or spraying

Explanation: These are all mating behaviours displayed by cats that have not been desexed, and they will breed prolifically.

Solutions:

• Desexing and vaccinating the cat will reduce the sex-drive hormones causing these behaviours. Male cats will stop competing and fighting, spraying, and roaming. Females will stop yowling and producing kittens. After sterilisation, hormones leave their system within three weeks and the behaviours usually stop entirely.
• To combat the urine smell, spray the area thoroughly with white vinegar or with products that use natural enzymes to combat the smell, such as Nature's Miracle® or Simple Solution®, available at pet supply stores.

This information has been compiled by PetRescue Ltd to provide the public access to pet care information only. PetRescue Ltd, its officers, employees and agents do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose, of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant Commonwealth or State government department, local government body or other source and to obtain appropriate professional advice.