Q&A for How to Keep Cats Away

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Question

Can vinegar keep cats away?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Vinegar might keep cats away, but you should use something stronger if you want to deter all cats.

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Question

How do you get rid of cats in your yard?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

There are many ways to get rid of cats in the yard, but motion activated sprinklers work well for repelling nuisance cats.

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Question

Do moth balls repel cats?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The smell of moth balls can repel cats if you'r in an enclosed area, but outside moth balls probably won't work very well.

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Question

How do you keep a cat off your car?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The best way to prevent cats from getting on or in your car is to keep the car in a garage that's locked.

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Question

Can I use a spray bottle on stray cats?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Spraying water or using a water-pistol on stray cats will help to keep strays away, but has limited benefit. This is because the cat will associate the unpleasant water spray with your being present. They will stear clear when they see you, but may well come back when the coast is clear.

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Question

How do I stop a cat from jumping my fence and killing birds?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This is such a difficult question to answer, and a problem that many people have tried and failed to find a solution to. The cat is obeying her natural predatory instincts to hunt; therefore, the strategies are best aimed at giving the birds advanced warning (belling the cat) or siting bird feeders away from shrubbery or places where a cat could hide.

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