The Best Outdoor Cat Repellents
Cats are great, but not when they're eating your garden and wreaking havoc in your yard. Outdoor cats are a common problem in many neighborhoods. They dig into the trash, scare off backyard wildlife, and eat up your garden veggies. So how can you ethically and effectively keep them out? We've collected a handful of great options to deter those pesky kitties from your yard. In order to find the best products, we asked ourselves what factors were most important. We came to the conclusion that effectiveness, price, and ease of use were at the top of our checklist. We found that the Homarden Scat Mat is an overall excellent choice due to its versatility for indoor and outdoor use, as well as the affordable price tag. However, this product does compromise aesthetics, whereas the Thanos Solar Repellent can be placed strategically out of sight to maintain your garden's beautiful appearance. Read on to find out what other items might work for your needs.
Homarden Cat Repellent Scat Mat
This set of 10 scat mats will help you cover all the areas necessary to keep those pesk cats out of your yard. These durable but flexible mats can be bent to fit any space, from tree trunks to fences. With its breathable design, you won’t have to worry about killing your plants. Also, if you’re trying to train your cat to stay off of your furniture, these mats are safe for indoor use as well.
Pros:
- Although these mats are very durable, they’re very easy to cut to any size.
- These mats are light enough to comfortably sit on top of an aquarium tank without damage or strain.
Cons:
- This product is not very suitable for cold weather as the plastic can crack at very low temperatures.
Thanos Solar Powered Ultrasonic Animal Repellent
Discreetly effective
If you’re looking for a reliable repellent without compromising your yard’s aesthetic, Thanos’ ultrasonic animal repellent is a formidable option. And since it’s solar powered, you’ll be saving energy too. Easy to set up with its spiked metal post and easy to spot with the bright orange design, this product is convenient and safe. Ultrasonic waves emit when the device senses slow movement. It then shuts off when the area is still, so monitoring this repellent is unnecessary. For any homeowners with a stray problem, this is worth considering.
Pros:
- This repellent’s radius covers up to 20 feet, which is more than stated in the description.
- Even large animals in mountainous terrains get spooked by this ultrasonic repellent. It flashes bright LED lights too.
Cons:
- It’s pretty small, so you may need more than one if you have a large yard.
Bytebay Scat Cat Repellent Mats
Cats will scat with this mat
Bytebay’s cat repellent mats work both indoors and outdoors. If you have the kind of cat who loves to use your furniture as a scratching post, place these mats on it, and your cat will stay off for good. The bendy but durable plastic is great for placing around gardens and trees to deter strays. It comes in a pack of eight mats, so you’ll have plenty of material to keep curious kitties off the couch and outdoor visitors out of your garden.
Pros:
- This cat repellent mat set is just as effective as other similar but pricier products.
- Even dogs as large as Great Danes and Saint Bernards stay away with these mats down.
Cons:
- This product’s plastic is flimsy and may need to be tacked down depending on where it’s placed.
Zovenchi Ultrasonic Solar Powered Repellent
Adorable and helpful
For an eco-friendly and adorable repellent, we love the ultrasonic solar-powered repellent by Zovenchi. Its cute owl-shaped design blends in without distracting from your backyard setup. This product is simple to set up and even easier to manage. From the LED lighting to the ultrasonic sound volume, every setting on this repellent is entirely customizable to your preference. Plus, the sensor is motion-activated, so there’s no need to worry about turning it on and off daily.
Pros:
- Unlike other similar products, every feature is manageable, from the lights to the sound to the distance.
- This repellent drives away lingering animals within one night.
Cons:
- The sound is somewhat startling when first turned on.
Nature’s Mace Cat Repellent
Nature’s Mace cat repellent is a perfect solution to deter neighboring or stray cats from wandering into your yard. The dust-like blend seamlessly blends into its setting, so your garden can keep its beautiful appearance. Simply drizzle the repellent blend around the perimeter of your yard or garden with the easy-to-hold handle. Affordable and very effective, you can’t go wrong with this product.
Pros:
- We found the cinnamon-like scent of this repellent quite pleasant.
- For an affordable price, there is a ton of repellent to go around.
Cons:
- After a rain, you’ll likely need to reapply the repellent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should a repellent be placed outdoors to be most effective?
Depending on the product that you choose, there are many options for placement. When using an ultrasonic repellent, we recommend placing the product in the middle of your yard for ultimate coverage. As for dusting repellent, it’s best to pour it around the end of your property as well as around any vegetable or garden patch for extra protection.
What else can cat repellent be used for?
The handy thing about cat repellent is it’s a jack of all trades when it comes to keeping your yard free of pests. Animals of all sizes, from birds landing on your fence to nosy vegetable-eating deer, will be steered away from your yard with these products.
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