How to Keep Cats Out of the House

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If you are trying to keep neighborhood strays out of your house, you can take some simple steps to keep them out. Scent barriers, as well as electronic devices and water deterrents can all keep cats at a distance. It can also help to look around before entering to see if any cats are ready to run in. Finally, you can make a cat-attractive area in your backyard to keep cats interested and away from your door.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Smells

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  1. While smells will keep cats away, most of them need to be reapplied frequently. You may need to renew them as often as every day or once a week.
  2. Most cats do not like the smell of citrus. You can either spray lemon juice around your door or try scattering citrus peels near the doorway. Another option is using a few drops of a citrus essential oil dissolved in water. [1]
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  3. You can use the urine of animals like mountain lions, coyotes, or foxes from online retailers. [3] Basically, you spray the urine, creating a border around your property. [4] It's better to use these sprays to create a border around your yard rather than your entryway.
    • The smell of these types of urine are going to be very strong, which is why you should only use them around the yard. You shouldn't spray these urine right by your door, as it will be unpleasant when you're going in and out. Even when you spray them in the yard, you're going to be able to smell them. [5]
  4. Cats don't like the smell of certain plants. Therefore, if you keep those plants near your door, the cats will likely stay away. For instance, you can plant lavender , rue, or penny royal. Lemon thyme is also an option. [6]
  5. Hot peppers such as cayenne and crushed red pepper irritate most cats. Therefore, you can try sprinkling them around your door to deter cats. You can also try mixing some hot sauce with water and spraying it in the area.
  6. Two other smells that cats don't like are coffee and pipe tobacco. You can use old coffee grounds or what's leftover in a pipe after smoking (or fresh tobacco). [7] Just drop some of the leftovers on the ground near your entrance to keep cats away. [8]
  7. These repellents contain smells cats don't like, and you use them the same as homemade sprays. Spray them near your entrances and around the yard to keep cats away. You can find these sprays at pet stores.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Keeping Unwanted Cats Away From Doors

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  1. These types of doors involve your pet having an electronic signal of some sort that opens the door for them. The signal can come from a tag on the pet's collar, but some pet doors also use the microchip that many pet owners embed in the pet for identification purposes.
    • When an unwanted cat approaches, she won't have the appropriate signal, so the door will not open for her.
  2. These devices use ultrasonic sound to keep cats away from certain areas. They're generally used to keep cats out of yards, but you can also use them near your door. They are triggered by motion when a cat (or you!) walk by. They make a sound that cats don't like. You won't be able to hear it, but the cats will. [9]
  3. If the cat is still outside, you can try spraying the cat with your hose. Most cats do not like water and will run off. It may take a few tries, but most cats will get the idea after awhile.
    • If your pets aren't in the area, but you're trying to deter outdoor cats, you can get a motion activated sprinklers that goes off when outdoor cats enters your yard. [10]
    • If the cat is too close to your house, you could try a spray bottle filled with water instead.
  4. Water shimmering in the sunlight will cause most cats to turn tail and run. They just aren't sure what to make of the phenomenon. Therefore, you can fill up bottles, such as green wine bottles, and place them in the sunlight near your entrances. It will help deter cats from the area. [11]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Watching the Area When Entering the House

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  1. When you're entering your home, survey the area to look for cats. Check under bushes and other items near your door. Cats are good at hiding, so make sure to check all the small crevices.
  2. If you have a spray bottle handy, you can scare them off by spraying it at them. If you don't, you can try walking towards them and clapping your hands. Often cats will run off.
  3. If you give attention to affectionate strays, they'll likely hang around. Therefore, try not to pet your neighborhood strays, no matter how tempting it is. [12]
  4. Similarly, if you feed cats, they will hang around. If you really want to feed strays, do it in an area away from your entrance, and create a barrier with scent around your door. That way, the cats will stay in their area and not in your home.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Making Other Areas More Attractive

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  1. Try catnip . If your main goal is to keep the cat out of the house, try making a part of your garden attractive to cats. For instance, you could plant catnip or cat mint, both plants that cats love. Pick a corner that's out of the way. Be aware, though, that this method could draw more strays to your yard.
    • Honeysuckle is also a cat-friendly option. [13]
  2. Cats also like sleeping on sand, so you could make a bed of sand near the catnip. Cats will be drawn over to take a nap.
    • Some cats may see this area as an opportunity to use the bathroom, so you may find yourself cleaning up after them.
  3. It's no secret that cats like to watch birds. Therefore, if you have your bird feeder up near the house, you're likely to have cats around. By moving the feeders out into the yard, you at least move them away from your door.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is a good cat repellent?
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Expert Answer
    There are some natural repellents, but the most efficient one depends on the cat, as some cats are more bothered by some than by others. Citronella, citrus, and coffee grounds are some good options.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How can I keep my neighbor's cat out of my yard?
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Expert Answer
    You can buy products that are targeted for repelling outdoor cats. Try keeping food out of your yard and making sure your garbage is secure so that the outdoor cats won't find anything interesting in your yard. Of course, you want to be careful to make sure you're not scaring your cat off from your yard as well.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How do I stop stray cats from using my cat door?
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Expert Answer
    You can buy pet doors that are microchip enabled, so they only open for your pet. Or you can get ones that open with a magnetic door that only opens for your pet. You can also go full cat-proof with a fence, if that's appropriate.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
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      References

      1. ↑ Jessica Char. Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.
      2. ↑ Jessica Char. Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.
      3. ↑ http://www.wildlifeanimalcontrol.com/straycats.html
      4. ↑ http://predatorpee.com/
      5. ↑ http://predatorpee.com/
      6. ↑ http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/keep-cats-out-of-the-garden/
      7. ↑ Jessica Char. Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.
      8. ↑ http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_KEEPING_CATS_OUT_OF_GARDENS_AND_YARDS
      9. ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/keeping-cats-out-your-yard
      1. ↑ Jessica Char. Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant. Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.
      2. ↑ http://www.catfaeries.com/cats-out-of-gardens.html
      3. ↑ http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/door-darting/
      4. ↑ http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/keep-cats-out-of-the-garden/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To keep unwanted cats out of the house, try spraying lemon juice outside your door, because most cats don’t like the smell of citrus. Alternatively, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper or coffee grounds outside your entrance, which can also serve as a deterrent. Additionally, consider placing certain plants near your door, such as lavender or penny royal, since the smell of these plants can repel cats. If none of these methods work, try buying a commercial cat repellent spray from a pet store to keep cats away. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to use catnip to keep unwanted cats out of the house, read on!

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