Nothing ruins a beautiful garden quite like finding cat poop scattered throughout your flower beds. If cats pooping in your garden has become a regular problem, you’re not alone. Millions of homeowners deal with this smelly, frustrating issue every year.
The good news? There are plenty of safe, humane ways to keep cats from using your garden as their personal bathroom. These methods won’t harm the cats, but they will teach them to find somewhere else to do their business.
In this guide, we’ll go over some methods for stopping cats from pooping in your garden. Some work immediately, while others take a few weeks to show results. The key is being patient and trying different approaches until you find what works best for your situation.
1. Remove Existing Poop and Clean the Area Thoroughly
Before trying any deterrent methods, you need to start with a clean slate. Cats return to areas that smell like their previous waste, so any lingering odors will keep drawing them back to the same spots.
Here’s how to clean properly:
Put on rubber gloves and use a scoop or shovel to remove all visible cat waste. Don’t use your bare hands, as cat poop can carry harmful parasites. Bag the waste and throw it in the trash.
Next, spray the entire area with a garden hose to wash away any remaining traces. For extra cleaning power, mix a few drops of eco-friendly dish soap with water and scrub the area gently.
For stubborn odors, white vinegar works wonders. Simply mix vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle and apply to plants or areas where cats often poop. The strong smell helps remove cat scents while being safe for plants.
Pro tip: You’ll need to repeat this cleaning process every time you find new waste until the cats break their habit. It might seem tedious, but it’s the foundation for all other deterrent methods to work properly.
2. Install Motion Activated Sprinkler Systems
If you want fast results, motion-activated sprinklers are your best bet. These devices are consistently rated as one of the most effective cat deterrents available.
How they work:
Motion activated sprinklers use infrared technology to detect an animal entering a defined area. When a cat enters the infrared field, the sprinkler shoots out a burst of water for a few seconds in the general direction of the animal. The surprise scares cats away without hurting them.
Setting them up:
Connect the sprinkler to your garden hose and position it to cover the problem areas. Most models let you adjust the sensitivity and spray distance. The efficient water spray uses only a tiny amount of water for each activation, so you won’t waste much water.
Popular options:
The Havahart Spray Away Elite II and Orbit Yard Enforcer are two top-rated choices. Some newer models even run on solar power, so you don’t need to worry about changing batteries.
Keep in mind: These sprinklers will spray anything that triggers the motion sensor, including you, your kids, and your pets. You might want to turn them off when you’re working in the garden!
3. Use Ultrasonic Cat Deterrents
Ultrasonic devices emit high-pitched noises that cats find unpleasant but humans can’t hear. They’re a popular choice because they work automatically and don’t require any ongoing maintenance once installed.
How to set them up:
Most ultrasonic cat deterrents can either be pressed into the ground, via an accompanying spike, or hung on a fence or wall. If using the spike, make sure the device is perpendicular to the ground. If fence or wall-mounting, keep the device low, no higher than 8 to 10 inches off the ground.
Popular models:
The CATWatch and STV610 Sonic Cat Repeller are two well-reviewed options. The CATWatch is made in Britain and has been scientifically tested and approved by the RSPB as a successful method of reducing cat visitations to gardens.
What to expect:
Provided the sounds are emitted at the optimum frequency (20 to 25 kHz), the loud bursts of ultrasonic noise will activate a cat’s fight or flight response. This results in the cat instinctively wanting to leave the area.
Limitations:
These devices won’t work on deaf cats, and some cats might get used to the sound over time. The key with these ultrasonic devices is to make sure you have enough of them for the area you’re trying to exclude the cats from.
4. Create Physical Barriers with Chicken Wire
Sometimes the simplest solutions work best. Cats dislike walking on unstable or uncomfortable surfaces, making chicken wire an effective and affordable deterrent.
How to use it:
Lay chicken wire flat on the soil around your plants. Cut it large enough to cover the area not yet filled with plants and secure it with garden pegs or landscape staples. You can cut holes in the wire for existing plants to grow through.
DIY improvement:
For extra effectiveness, start on the second row from the edge and cut one end of every second wire square and bend it up 90 degrees. This creates small spikes that make the surface even more uncomfortable for cats to walk on.
Best practices:
The PVC coated chicken wire is better because there are no sharp or rough edges for cats or dogs to get caught up on. You can also spray paint the wire brown to make it less visible in your garden beds.
Results:
As most cats prefer to bury their poop, having a physical barrier like the chicken wire makes the cat look elsewhere. It’s a long-lasting solution that doesn’t require reapplication like sprays or granules.
5. Apply Natural Scent Deterrents
Cats have incredibly sensitive noses, making scent-based deterrents a simple and effective solution. Cats are incredibly sensitive to smell so strong scents such as lavender, peppermint, or cinnamon are great for keeping them away.
Most effective scents:
Cats also don’t like orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil. These are cost-effective and non-toxic options that are safe to use around pets and children.
How to apply them:
For liquid scents, mix them with water in a spray bottle and apply to problem areas. Choose one of these scents, mix it with water and spray it around the garden. For solid materials like citrus peels or coffee grounds, simply scatter them around your flower beds.
Reapplication schedule:
The scents diminish over time, so re-applying is necessary. Plan to refresh your scent deterrents weekly or after heavy rain. Rotating between different scents can prevent cats from getting used to any one smell.
Safety note:
Always research any essential oils before using them around pets. Some oils that repel cats can be toxic to other animals if used in high concentrations.
6. Plant Cat Repelling Plants Around Your Garden
Creating a living barrier of plants that cats naturally avoid is one of the most attractive ways to solve your cat problem. These plants work 24/7 and actually improve your garden’s appearance while stopping cats from pooping in your garden.
Most effective plants:
Coleus Canina (Scaredy Cat Plant): Known colloquially as the Scaredy Cat plant, Coleus Canina is a member of the mint family. This fast-growing, perennial plant is often used as a natural deterrent for cats, dogs, and even foxes. The scaredy cat plant was bred in Germany specifically as a garden pest repellent. It emits an odour when animals brush past and can be effective against cats, dogs, foxes and rabbits.
Lavender: While humans love everything made of lavender, that’s not the case with cats. They hate the plant’s pungent smell of essential oils, including camphor and linalool. Luckily, lavender plants come with a scent that’s nice for us but unappealing for felines. These purple flowers are evergreen, so they act as a year round deterrent.
Lemon Thyme: Lemon Thyme, scientifically known as Thymus citriodorus, is an aromatic perennial herb famous for its citrusy scent and flavor. This herb is known for its citrusy aroma and delicate flavour, and its strong scent is greatly unpleasant to cats.
Rosemary: Cats despise the scent and texture of rosemary, which is due to the numerous essential oils present in its leaves. It’s also useful for cooking, making it a practical choice.
Planting strategy:
Plant a few of these throughout the garden space. As a bonus, interplanting will attract pollinators and can help to avoid pests too. Focus on creating borders around your garden beds and interplanting throughout areas where cats typically cause problems.
7. Keep Your Garden Soil Moist
This might be the simplest method on the list, but it’s surprisingly effective. Cats don’t like wet soil, so keep your flowerbeds well-watered to prevent cats from pooping in your garden and crushing your plants.
Why it works:
According to the RHS, cats prefer loose, dry earth, mulch and compost. When the soil is consistently moist, it becomes unappealing for cats to dig and bury their waste.
How to maintain moisture:
Set up a regular watering schedule, especially during dry periods. To make this process simpler, consider installing an irrigation watering pipe in the flowerbed. Drip irrigation systems work particularly well because they keep the soil consistently moist without wasting water.
Best timing:
Water your garden beds in the evening, as cats are most active during dawn and dusk hours. This ensures the soil stays moist during peak cat activity times.
Additional benefits:
Keeping your soil moist isn’t just good for deterring cats. Most plants thrive with consistent moisture, so you’ll likely see improved plant health and growth as a bonus.
8. Use Commercial Cat Repellent Sprays and Granules
Sometimes store-bought solutions provide the convenience and effectiveness you need. Commercial cat repellents are designed specifically to deter cats and often contain concentrated formulas that last longer than homemade alternatives.
Types available:
Granular repellents: Nature’s MACE Cat MACE uses effective plant-based ingredients that are safe for use around family, pets, plants, and the environment. It uses a potent scent that is tolerable to humans but naturally irritating to cats. Simply sprinkle the granules around problem areas according to package directions.
Spray repellents: Many commercial sprays contain 100% natural oils including orange, peppermint, coffee, citronella and lavender, all of which cats are naturally repelled by. The non-toxic ingredients mean this deterrent can be used anywhere internally or externally, without fear of harming plants or wildlife.
Application tips:
Apply early when you first notice cat activity. Note that if a cat has already marked the territory as its own, it may attract more cats. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
Reapplication:
Most commercial repellents need to be reapplied every 7-10 days or after heavy rain. While cat repellent sprays are undoubtedly one of the quickest and cheapest deterrents, it requires regular spraying and reapplication every time it rains.
9. Install Cat Proof Fencing
For serious cat problems, upgrading your fencing might be the most permanent solution. Creating as much height as possible, either by adding wire mesh or extra panels, helps to prevent some cats from leaping over it.
Fence modifications:
We have finally tried lengths of chicken wire stretched along our fence tops, about 40cm above the fence top supported by bamboo canes screwed into the fence posts and stapled to the fence panels below. This has stopped the problem because the cats can’t sit on the fence tops to jump down head first into our garden.
Anti-climb additions:
Mesh-type wire fencing creates a bendable barricade that you can place on top of your fence. The wire mesh can be bent inward toward your garden, where it becomes a deterrent for your cat. When used correctly, the wire mesh will bend inward as your cat climbs and grips it, creating a dynamic “ceiling” that they can’t get over the top of.
Height requirements:
Aim for a total fence height of at least 6 feet. Using a material like vinyl is ideal for this, as cats cannot grip it with their claws, therefore making it very difficult for them to climb. The surface of vinyl is just too smooth and slippery for felines to sink their nails into.
Installation:
Many homeowners can install fence modifications themselves, but consider hiring a professional for complex installations. Make sure to check local regulations about fence height and modifications before starting any major work.
10. Combine Multiple Methods for Maximum Success
Here’s the secret that many people miss: using just one deterrent method rarely solves the problem completely. It’s recommended that you use more than one type of cat deterrent because this means the cat will always have two or more of its senses instinctively warning it about the area.
Why combination works:
If you use two scent-based deterrents, both products will put a cat on high alert via its sense of smell. However, if you add an ultrasonic device into the mix and use it along with a scent-based deterrent, the cat will be alerted via its super-sensitive sense of hearing and its sense of smell. Danger signals to two senses rather than only one.
Effective combinations:
- Immediate results: Motion sprinkler + scent deterrents
- Long-term solution: Plant deterrents + physical barriers
- Budget-friendly: Chicken wire + citrus peels + regular watering
- High-tech approach: Ultrasonic devices + commercial repellents
Implementation strategy:
Start with 2-3 methods that fit your budget and situation. Give them 2-3 weeks to work, as cats need time to break established habits. If you’re still having issues with cats pooping in your garden, add another method to your arsenal.
Patience and persistence:
Some cats will run away at the first sign of trouble, never to be seen again, while others will be persistent and take longer to get the message. If you assume you’re dealing with the latter type of cat, you’ll be setting your expectations more realistically.
Remember that stopping cats from pooping in your garden is a process, not a one-time fix. Most homeowners see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks when using multiple methods consistently.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with cats pooping in your garden can be incredibly frustrating, but the good news is that these methods really do work when applied consistently. The key is to start with thorough cleaning, then implement 2-3 deterrent methods that work for your specific situation and budget.
Remember to always use humane methods that won’t harm cats or other wildlife. These animals are just following their natural instincts, and with patience and the right approach, you can train them to find somewhere else to do their business.
Most homeowners find that stopping cats from pooping in your garden requires some trial and error to find the perfect combination of methods. Don’t get discouraged if the first approach doesn’t work immediately. Keep trying different combinations, and you’ll eventually find a solution that keeps your garden clean and beautiful.
With these 10 proven methods in your toolkit, you’ll be well on your way to reclaiming your garden and enjoying your outdoor space without unpleasant surprises.
