8 Common Deterrents To Keep Cats From Peeing
Do you have a cat that likes to pee in places other than the litter box? If so, you may be wondering what smells deter cats from peeing. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common deterrents and how well they work.
What Smells Deter Cats From Peeing?
The most common deterrents for cats that don’t use the litter box include citrus, lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vinegar, and rosemary. However, some cats respond better to one scent than another.
While there’s no guarantee that any of these smells will work for you or your cat, they are the most commonly recommended deterrents on the internet. If you plan to use a diffuser or spray, it’s best to try a smaller amount of the solution first.
Depending on your cat and how sensitive he is to smell, you may need to experiment with different types of scents until you find what works for him. You can also try combining two or more scents at once to create a unique smell that your kitty won’t be able to ignore.
Keep in mind, though, that if you’re using an essential oil diffuser or spray, the scent will eventually fade. You’ll need to wipe up any puddles and reapply the deterrent as necessary.
Now let’s dive into each of these smells and how effective they are at deterring your cat from peeing where she shouldn’t.
Smell #1: Citrus
The smell of citrus is thought to be a natural deterrent for cats. In most cases, you’ll need to use something with a strong scent, such as an orange or lemon peel. Simply place the peel near areas where your cat has urinated and she should stay away.
There are also natural citrus cleaners you can use to clean up cat urine. These products work best on hard surfaces such as tile and concrete (but not carpet).
While there’s no guaranteed solution, orange peels may be a safe start for those who want to try using the smell of citrus to deter cats from peeing on different surfaces around the house.
Smell #2: Lavender
One of the more popular scents for deterring cats is lavender. There are both natural and synthetic versions available; note that some cats are sensitive to certain types of lavender, so use with caution if this is your first time trying it. Some individuals find that diffusing lavender oil (often mixed with other scents) works best, while others use lavender-scented sprays.
Another way to use lavender is by placing cotton balls that have been soaked in the oil where you don’t want your cat to urinate. Remember, she could be sensitive to this scent, so try using one ball at a time and ensuring it’s well out of reach of your cat.
If you’re mixing lavender with another scent, make sure the lavender is only a small percentage of the solution so it doesn’t overpower.
Be aware that using any essential oil can aggravate a cat’s sensitive respiratory system, so do this with caution and ensure your home has proper ventilation.
Smell #3: Peppermint
Another common pee-deterrent for cats is peppermint, which should work just as well as lavender. Once again, you can use either an oil diffuser or spray to create a strong enough scent to deter your cat from returning to the same area to urinate, again spraying the area thoroughly after you have cleaned it.
If you don’t want to purchase an oil diffuser, then you can simply create your own with a few drops of peppermint essential oil and water in a spray bottle.
Using peppermint to deter cats from peeing is an affordable option(compared to cat-friendly cleaning products) and the only one that I know of with no negative side effects. Again, you will want to make sure that you spray all over the area where your cat has urinated because oils are strong substances that can easily linger for a long time and will still smell strong even after the urine has been removed.
Peppermint oil is safe for both cats and dogs as long as you do not use too much or apply it directly to their skin. It should be okay to spray on furniture fabrics as well as other surfaces such as floors, walls, and counters (where your cat may try to groom himself after going to the bathroom).
Do not use peppermint oil if you have a fish tank as it is toxic for them. Also, you should never mix vinegar with peppermint oil because they both contain similar enzymes which can cancel each other out and render your deterrent much less effective.
Smell #4: Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil also works well in deterring cats. Using a spray bottle (mixed with water for better coverage), apply tea tree oil directly to the area where your cat has urinated and she will most likely stay away.
To ensure that you’re using it properly, you should give the solution plenty of time to dry before allowing pets back into the area. You should also make sure that you are very careful when using tea tree oil directly on your cat, as it can cause her to have some serious reactions.
Even though this works for many pet owners, you shouldn’t be surprised if your cat is still able to smell where she has peed before or even in addition to the tea tree oil. If this is your case, you should try to clean up as much of the cat urine as possible with water before applying the tea tree oil.
Also, be careful about using too much—if you use too many drops or spray it all over the house (instead of specifically in areas where cats have urinated), the smell can even repel your cat.
It all depends on how sensitive a nose your cat has, but many cats have been trained to stay away from potential messes that they have made by the presence of just a small amount of tea tree oil.
If you’re not sure, it’s best to start small and go from there!
Smell #5: Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus works well to deter cats because it has a very strong scent that they don’t like. Using eucalyptus essential oil is the best way to go, but only use one or two drops of it mixed into water in an atomizer spray bottle. Again, be sure that you give it enough time to work before expecting results.
Most people have already heard about the wonders of eucalyptus oil. It has several uses, including being a very effective deterrent against cats. If you are trying to keep your garden or yard cat-free, then simply spraying the area with water containing just one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil will help do the trick.
Cats hate the scent of eucalyptus and will avoid places that smell like this oil if at all possible. Some people have had success with planting eucalyptus trees to keep large areas free of cats, but they also take a long time to mature and grow big enough to provide adequate coverage. One of the easiest ways to keep cats out of your yard or garden is by spraying them with water mixed with eucalyptus oil.
Cats hate the smell of eucalyptus, so this is a great way to keep them from coming around. One problem that many people have when using it as a deterrent against cats is that they use a lot of the oil, thinking that it will be more powerful.
Be sure to only add one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil into an atomizer bottle filled with water and then spray this mixture on your plants. Do not add any more of the eucalyptus oil, as you could cause damage to your plants.
A mixture containing just one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil into an atomizer bottle filled with water will help keep cats out of a certain area for up to a week, depending on how often it rains. Cats hate the smell and will avoid places that smell like this oil if at all possible.
Smell #6: Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another scent that most cats hate, so it can be used in the same way as the other items mentioned above.
Cinnamon smells like winter to most cats, and they do not enjoy that season of cold weather. Thus, it is best to put cinnamon in the areas where your cat has urinated. For example, sprinkle cinnamon on the areas you want to treat or rub some cinnamon oil on a cloth and place it near those areas for at least a day.
Cinnamon also smells like the holidays, and cats do not enjoy that festive time of year either. They prefer to be in their natural element, which is outdoors hunting for mice or being lazy inside. With this being said, it is best to refrain from placing cinnamon-scented items throughout your house during the holiday season.
To sum up, cinnamon can be used to keep cats away from areas you do not want them in. It smells like winter, which is something cats do not enjoy, so they will try to stay as far away from the scent as possible.
Smell #7: Rosemary
Rosemary is another herb that you can use to keep your cats away and it has a very strong scent that they don’t like. To apply rosemary as a deterrent, crush the leaves and stems to release its powerful scent.
Simply rub them on areas where you do not want your cat to urinate or spray some water mixed with crushed rosemary leaves onto the areas where you do not want your cat to urinate. You can also spray some rosemary essential oil on these areas and it should keep your cats away.
One of the best things about using rosemary is that if your cat does get a little bit of the herb on them, it won’t harm them at all because there are no toxic chemicals in rosemary.
You can also reduce the amount of cat urine smell by using this herb because it will neutralize the odors.
You can grow a pot of rosemary near your front door, but be aware that it has a very strong smell and you might find that you don’t want to walk through its aromas every time you leave or enter your home.
In order to keep your cats from going near areas where you do not want them, you can buy a rosemary plant and place it in those areas. It is also important that you only use the fresh form of this herb as they will be more effective at keeping your cat away.
Smell #8: Vinegar
Cats also hate the smell of vinegar, so this is another good way to keep your cat away from certain areas.
The best thing about using vinegar as a deterrent is that it usually will not harm your plants because there are no toxic chemicals in the stuff. As with rosemary, you can spray some water mixed with some white distilled vinegar on the area your cat has been using as a toilet.
You can also fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, then spray this on the areas where you keep finding cat urine. You can use any type of vinegar you want, but it is best to use white distilled vinegar since cats do not usually enjoy the smell of this type of vinegar.
The only thing that you have to be careful about when using vinegar as a deterrent is that you are not allergic to it. If you do react badly to this smell, then you will have no choice but to remove it from your home because vinegar can irritate, particularly if someone gets it in their eyes.
Final Thoughts
If your cat is having litter box issues, it’s important to try different things to see if you can find the root of the problem. While some cats may be deterred by citrus or lavender, others may prefer those smells. You may need to experiment with a variety of scents until you find one that your cat likes and will help them use the litter box correctly.
Related Questions
Why would a cat pee on my clothes?
Some things that may deter a cat from peeing on your clothes could be the type of material, the smell, or if they’re dirty. Cats are very sensitive to smells. Sometimes it’s the smell of the product that you use to wash your clothes that could be making them want to mark their territory.
How to stop a cat from peeing in the same spot?
If your cat is peeing outside of the litter box, it could be because of a medical problem. First, you’ll want to have them checked by the vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical issue. If there isn’t, you can try to figure out why your cat is doing this by looking for patterns when they’re peeing outside of their box. Then you’ll want to try and change the situation that’s making them do this.
Things to consider are if multiple cats aren’t getting along or if your pet is spayed or neutered. If your cat is spayed or neutered, you’ll want to make sure they’re getting enough attention and playtime. Another thing to consider is if your pet might be trying to tell you they don’t like their litter box.
What is causing my kitten to urinate all over?
If your kitten is urinating in places other than the litter box, it could be for a few different reasons. If you’re not sure why your pet is doing this, you should have them checked out by a vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying issue. You could try using products that help get rid of stains and odors to get rid of the smell.
