Make Cat Repellent

Make Cat Repellent

How to Make Homemade Cat Repellent
By Mackenzie Wright, eHow Contributor

No matter how much you love cats, there are some places where kitties love to go that we just don't want them to be. Since these expert climbers and jumpers have no respect for boundaries, and they merely scoff at verbal commands, it's hard to stop them from doing just what they want. However, there are some natural remedies that will not only keep cats safe, but deter them from invading your space.

Things You'll Need:

• Well-stocked spice cabinet
• Essential oils
• Cotton balls
• Spray or mist bottles

1. Sprinkle some dried mustard, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds or dried rosemary to keep cats out of outdoor places. Some cats will dislike certain smells more than others, so if one doesn't work, try a different one, or a combination of a few.
2. Take a few cotton balls and use an eye dropper to wet them with cinnamon, citronella, lemon, lemon grass, lavender, orange and rosemary oils. Tuck the cotton balls into the corners of closets or rooms you want to keep the cat out of, or place them at the base of potted plants. Alternately, you can rub the oils with a paper towel onto base boards, door jambs and thresholds.
3. Steep fresh or dried herbs such as lavender, rosemary or cayenne in boiling water for five minutes. Strain the infusion and put the liquid into a clean spray bottle. Don't use a bottle that formerly held detergent or toxic chemicals, buy an empty bottle at the drug store or gardening center for this. Spray down the baseboards, mist the floors of closets or rooms, furniture, counter tops, or spray your potted plants. These will not hurt a plant, but will make cats dislike going near them. The scent will not be very detectable to humans, but will be very strong to cats. Spray areas every week or two, or as often as needed.
4. Plant some herbs around the borders or interspersed with your other plants that have these scents that cats don't like. Border your garden with citronella, rue, lavender, rosemary and garlic chives. These are attractive plants that will act like a "keep out" sign to any felines passing by.
5. Find a place on your property to plant a small cat-friendly plot of catnip. This will attract the cats and they will claim it as their own.

Make Cat Repellent