According to the ASPCA, cats typically dislike the smell of citrus, so using orange, lemon or lime peels sprinkled around plants can help keep cats away. Using the oils of these citrus fruits is also a smart solution, since they are nontoxic to humans and cats.
Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well. The scents diminish over time, so re-applying is necessary. Motion-activated sprinklers: These have motion sensors that trigger a short blast of water.
Homemade cat deterrent spray
Mix together lemon juice, rosemary and white vinegar - three things cats detest. Put the liquid in a spray bottle so it's easy to use around the garden. Simply spray near where the cats spend time - on planters, the patio, or even inside.
Citrus – I bet you knew this would be top of the list! Cats really don't like citrus, whether oranges, lemon, grapefruit, etc. When you're trying to train your cat away from a certain spot in your house, citrus is often the recommended deterrent.
Lemons. Because of the high level of citric acid, lemons are one of the most effective and natural ways to kill fleas. By spraying or brushing lemons onto your cat's coat to help get rid of the fleas. Slice a lemon and let it steep in boiling water then drain the water when cooled into a spray bottle.
Lemon essential oil is not safe for cats. Citrus essential oils are hazardous to them. Essential oils are rapidly absorbed both orally and topically, then metabolized in the liver. Cats are especially sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds, which can be found in some essential oils.
Citrus: orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit
Citrus smells are widely reported as being repugnant to cats. You can use this to your advantage by throwing orange peels around your garden to keep cats away or spritzing a citrus scent on indoor fabric that you don't want your cat scratching up.
Mixing Up Essential Oil Cat Repellent
Squeeze 2 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 drops of wild orange essential oil, and 2 drops of lavender essential oil to the bottle. Cats are more sensitive to scents than humans, so essential oils with strong odors, such as citrus and lavender, can help repel them.
herb rue, either planted or sprinkled in its dry form. Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.
No, no, and No! Cats can't eat any citrus fruits, whether it's lemon, orange, or grapefruit. Even in tiny amounts, citrus may trigger stomach pain, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, tremors, cold limbs, and even low blood pressure.
However, cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and as citrus fruits are very aromatic, what smells heavenly to us is way too over the top for cats. This dislike of citrusy scents can be turned to an owner's advantage.
Spraying Indoors - Vinegar can be sprayed inside the home to keep an indoor cat away from certain areas or surfaces. Use the least concentrated mixture that is effective and limit spraying to specific areas.
In terms of planting, strong-smelling plants like lavender is unpleasant to cats. Leaving orange or lemon peels out will also deter them as they dislike the smell of citrus. High fences will also make it more difficult for cats to enter your garden.
Some of the most common smells cats hate include citrus, vinegar, peppermint, pine, onions, or spicy food. The dislike for certain smells might be rooted in survival, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover and Chief Veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital.
Another tactic is to make your cat's favourite alternative peeing spot less appealing by spraying it with lemon juice.
In general most cats detest citrus and will keep their distance. As an added bonus, it will make your living quarters smell lovely and won't harm anyone (albeit 2 or 4 legs). Place a trash bag on your floor and then place the peels on top and simply slide it right under your skirt.
Before we look at what scents are safe for cats, you should know which ones to avoid. The following essential oils contain phenols that could harm your little furball: Citrus oil.
Malissa says, “Do not use citrus oils with felines ever — they lack an enzyme to break down citrus. The cat might start panting heavily, which means they're trying to process, but it's too much. They might drool or vomit.
The lemon essential oil contains citronellal, geraniol, and limonene, all of which can be toxic in large quantities. These compounds are known to cause liver damage, gastrointestinal irritation, and even central nervous system depression. Lemon essential oil is not safe for dogs to consume in any quantity.
Toxicity to pets
Small ingestions of a few leaves or low concentration eucalyptus oil leads to mild gastrointestinal distress, but ingestion of highly concentrated eucalyptus oil has been associated with severe signs including seizure, tremor, and, rarely, acute renal injury.