Difference between revisions of "Repel Cats"
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#Use cat repellent scents. Citrus-scented cleaners are the most effective at keeping cats off of surfaces, so citrus cleaners are great to use on counter tops, around appliances, and gently on furniture and other places in your home where you do not want your cats to go. | #Use cat repellent scents. Citrus-scented cleaners are the most effective at keeping cats off of surfaces, so citrus cleaners are great to use on counter tops, around appliances, and gently on furniture and other places in your home where you do not want your cats to go. | ||
#*Lemongrass, lavender, and coleus are other natural cat-repellent scents. Try tossing lavender and citrus peels in small bowls and place them on shelves next to breakable items, or other places where you do not want your cats to go. Add essential oils in those same scents to increase the smell, if necessary. Spray lavender or citrus fabric fresheners on rugs to keep cats out of certain rooms in the house. You can also use these sprays on other soft surfaces, such as curtains and bed spreads, to deter cats from those places. | #*Lemongrass, lavender, and coleus are other natural cat-repellent scents. Try tossing lavender and citrus peels in small bowls and place them on shelves next to breakable items, or other places where you do not want your cats to go. Add essential oils in those same scents to increase the smell, if necessary. Spray lavender or citrus fabric fresheners on rugs to keep cats out of certain rooms in the house. You can also use these sprays on other soft surfaces, such as curtains and bed spreads, to deter cats from those places. | ||
| − | #*Commercial cat repellents are often made from fox urine, or the waste of other predators. It's probably not something you want to spray indoors, but the use of repellent is discussed in the following method. | + | #*Commercial cat repellents are often made from fox urine, or the waste of other predators. It's probably not something you want to spray indoors, but the use of repellent is discussed in the following method. [[file: Kipkis.com-repel-cats.jpg|center|500px]] |
#Use water. If your cat won't stay off your fern, or keeps climbing up and messing with the couch she always claws, use a little water to flick onto the cat. You can keep a small glass of water close by to the place you're trying to repel the cat from, dip your finger in, and flick some water around to discourage the cat. | #Use water. If your cat won't stay off your fern, or keeps climbing up and messing with the couch she always claws, use a little water to flick onto the cat. You can keep a small glass of water close by to the place you're trying to repel the cat from, dip your finger in, and flick some water around to discourage the cat. | ||
#*Better yet, buy a couple small toy squirt-guns and hide them at strategic places around the house so you'll always have an armament close by. When you use it, aim at the cat's body. Avoid its face, as a strong stream might actually hurt the cat's eyes or nose. | #*Better yet, buy a couple small toy squirt-guns and hide them at strategic places around the house so you'll always have an armament close by. When you use it, aim at the cat's body. Avoid its face, as a strong stream might actually hurt the cat's eyes or nose. | ||
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#*If your cat is scratching furniture, it's absolutely essential that you get a scratching post and tend to the cat's nails regularly. Cats with their claws must regularly scratch things, so you need to provide them a surface to dig into. | #*If your cat is scratching furniture, it's absolutely essential that you get a scratching post and tend to the cat's nails regularly. Cats with their claws must regularly scratch things, so you need to provide them a surface to dig into. | ||
#*It's also a good idea to make surfaces you want the cat to avoid as difficult to get to as possible. Cats are obviously sneaky jumpers and creepers, so this can be difficult, but trying to remove jumping surfaces and other objects the cat uses to perch on can help to keep them off high surfaces and difficult-to-reach spots. | #*It's also a good idea to make surfaces you want the cat to avoid as difficult to get to as possible. Cats are obviously sneaky jumpers and creepers, so this can be difficult, but trying to remove jumping surfaces and other objects the cat uses to perch on can help to keep them off high surfaces and difficult-to-reach spots. | ||
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=== Repelling Outdoor Cats=== | === Repelling Outdoor Cats=== | ||
#Remove food sources. If outdoor cats are coming around your yard, it's because they're looking for food and probably finding it somewhere. If you have pets, make sure their food is indoors and impossible to get to, and that there is no extra food lying around where strays can get at it. It's also a good idea to make sure mice haven't taken up residence in your porch or foundation, or you might end up welcoming the extra feline security. | #Remove food sources. If outdoor cats are coming around your yard, it's because they're looking for food and probably finding it somewhere. If you have pets, make sure their food is indoors and impossible to get to, and that there is no extra food lying around where strays can get at it. It's also a good idea to make sure mice haven't taken up residence in your porch or foundation, or you might end up welcoming the extra feline security. | ||
