The 6 Best Cat Deterrents for Gardens and Yards 2025
- Rachel
- Jun 21, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
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Information accurate from January 2025.
Are you having problems with four-legged invaders? This article covers the best cat deterrents for gardens and yards, with six effective methods for keeping strays off your property. Hurrah to poop-free lawns, patios, flowerbeds and plants - not forgetting about those sneaky fence hoppers. With these budget-friendly recommendations, getting rid of outdoor cats in a safe and humane manner doesn't have to cost the earth.
6 Best Cat Deterrents for Gardens and Yards:
First things first, how do products actually work? Cat deterrents, while pretty self-explanatory, are used to repel cats and can be used in a variety of situations, both inside and outside of the home. These include:
Stopping cats from fouling, digging or generally making a mess of your carefully tended rose beds.
Avoiding potential danger such as toxic plants (I'll say here that it's probably easier and safer to remove any poisonous greenery from the house or garden, wherever possible).
Clawing furniture or scent marking (spraying).
Having experienced my own problems with cats urine spraying in the yard and upsetting my resident fur children, I know how frustrating it can be - not to mention the time-consuming (and at times expensive) task of scouring the internet for a cat repellent that works.
As territorial creatures, which we've covered at length throughout this site, cats will stop at almost nothing to spread their scent around - whether it's peeing in your plant beds, digging up your seedlings or using your patio as a sunbed. As much as I respect and admire all cats, the risk of losing your territory to a horde of furry invaders is very real!
How to keep cats out of your garden depends on the layout of the garden itself. Is it more lawn than patio? Do you have an enclosed yard? Is it bordered by fence panels or hedges? Are there extensive flowerbeds and plants? Do you have lots of bird feeders dotted around?
Some outdoor spaces may be easier to protect than others, but the trick is to make your garden as uninviting (to a cat) as possible. Unfortunately, that could mean saying goodbye to wildlife, too.
Strays aside, you might have your own resident kitty that you want to keep away from certain areas of the garden without getting the hosepipe out every ten seconds. Kidding - no one should be spraying their cats. If you're facing the same problems as me and don't know where to start, I can take some of the guesswork out for you by listing my 6 best outdoor cat deterrents of 2025.
Don’t let the mention of dogs put you off, the active ingredients in this urine repellent spray are the same as what you'll find in any cat-specific product. Citrus and lemongrass are common and effective cat repellents due to their fresh scents, and lemongrass acts as an anti-microbial agent. These natural ingredients make it both pet and eco-friendly, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Urine contains pheromones and is the biggest attractant for cats, so eliminating this may stop them from wanting to pee in your garden, as well as reducing other unwanted behaviours such as digging and scratching. Worse-case scenario, you have a house or garden that smells of lemons.
Usage
It's advised to respray areas every 2-3 days in order to protect gardens and furniture. With a large 500ml bottle, it's averagely priced against competitors.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Based on 5,300+ Amazon reviews.
Most repellent sprays on the market have mixed reviews, which isn't surprising given the nature of cats. Some will turn and run from an offending pong, while more dominant cats will want to remark the area.
It's important to remember that sprays aren't designed to remove urine, so it's essential to clean the area first with a strong disinfectant. This method may take some persistence, but it's a sound solution for tackling urine problems.
Conclusion
While cat repellent sprays are undoubtedly one of the quickest and cheapest deterrents, it requires regular spraying and reapplication every time it rains - so for my fellow Brits, not so cheap after all! It might also bump up the cost for larger areas, so I'd suggest using a good spray around doors to keep cats away from the house, particularly if you have any resident kitties.
Sprays are more targeted towards preventing the spread of urine and work best when applied to hard surfaces such as yards and patios.
Crystals or granules are designed to mask traces of pheromones in urine. This confuses an animal's sense of smell, training them to move to other areas where there's evidence of fouling or digging.
Similar to sprays, this all-natural blend of plant oils is safe to use on lawns, soil, gravel and patios without posing a danger to pets or wildlife. Incorporated with biodegradable clay substrate, it naturally degrades without leaving any traces.
Usage
Granules should be scattered within affected areas every 48 hours or until the problem has ceased. One pack treats up to 250m² and it's suitable for outdoor use only
Rating
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Based on 1,100+ Amazon reviews.
Both granules and sprays have the same mixed reviews from customers, as well as the downfall of being easily washed away. With such a large surface area covered by a single pack, this one is definitely worth a try.
Conclusion
Depending on the area you want to treat, the main benefit of granules is that they can be applied to pebbled or gravelled spaces and soil, making it an effective urine repellent for lawns, flowerbeds and plants.
Ultrasonic cat repellents work on a motion sensor and emit a high-frequency sound to scare away animals. The great thing about these devices is that they're harmless to cats, humans and the environment - and once they're installed, you don't have to do anything!
Usage
I won't pretend to be a tech guru but some of the basic specs include:
Infrared PIR motion sensor that detects movement and body heat. Covers a 110-degree arch to a distance of up to 10 metres.
Emits a high-frequency sound that irritates cats while being almost inaudible to humans.
Adjustable sensitivity and frequency depending on the type of animal you want to target.
Zinc-coated ground stake and tab for fitting directly to a wall or fence.
Fully weatherproof.
Battery powered.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐ 3.7
Based on 12,500+ Amazon reviews.
With over 12,000 reviews at an above average rating - and a budget price - this is a great choice. Some customers complain about the noise, despite it supposedly being undetectable to humans; and battery life, which can be solved by using the rechargeable kind.
What this product may be lacking against competitors is the addition of LED lights to further startle animals, which personally I find annoying - especially at night. The last thing I want to wake up to is something that resembles a UFO flashing through the curtains.
Some customers might appreciate a solar-powered device, but this further limits where it can be placed - here in the UK, we'd be lucky to get any power at all. One option is to station the stake into a plant pot that can be moved around the garden to the most convenient spot.
Conclusion
An effective repellent designed to keep cats out of gardens before they have a chance to become a nuisance - and waterproof, making it cheaper in the long-run. If you want something a bit more advanced then this alternative option comes with LED lights, a solar panel and USB charging port.
Check it out on Amazon: Joomouney Ultrasonic Cat Repellent
Not too dissimilar to ultrasonic devices, and from the same brand, these jet spray repellents work on a motion sensor to fire a gentle burst of water when triggered by an offending cat. Though seemingly cruel upon first impression, as I'm not an advocate of spraying cats myself, this acts as more of a deterrent. The idea being that after one or two sprays, animals will start to avoid the area in a natural learning process.
Usage
The benefits of these jet spray repellents include:
Range of up to 10 metres depending on settings and water pressure.
Spreading width of 120 degrees.
Adjustable height and spreading width.
Battery powered (lasts 3-4 months).
Potential inconveniences:
Stake mounting which is only good for lawns.
Requires connection to a garden hose.
Consumes a fair amount of water per activation.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.8
Based on 4,200+ Amazon reviews.
Customers describe the product as being a highly-functional and effective deterrent for intruding cats and foxes. The only downsides are false warnings and having to dodge a squirt if you accidentally walk past the motion sensor (totally something I'd do). This can be avoided by disconnecting the hose.
Conclusion
This is undoubtedly the best cat deterrent for lawns, with the minor inconveniences of being permanently attached to a hose and water consumption for the eco-warriors. A slightly more expensive option, this is a small but worthwhile investment.
These cat scarers with reflective glass eyes are designed to mimic a cat, kind of like a feline scarecrow to repel other cats, birds, squirrels and foxes. Made from powder-coated metal means they're durable, rust resistant and can potentially last for years; although the most attractive quality has to be the stylish design.
Usage
These can be mounted in lawns with stakes or hung to fences and sheds with the provided hooks. I'd suggest using scarers as a preventative measure by arranging them around flowerbeds, plants or lining the top of fence panels to physically block off intruding parties, which can be done by nailing through the holes used for stakes.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐ 3.8
Based on 90+ Amazon reviews.
Cat scarers are a safe and non-invasive cat repellent with an impressive score for what they are. They can be installed in a range of different areas, so usage is less limited than other methods.
Conclusion
Not a bad price or rating for a pack of what are essentially garden statues. If they don't scare away intruders then at the very least, they make a cute piece of decor.
These spiked mats look scary at first glance but are perfectly safe to use and will cause no harm to animals. Made from plastic, this prickle strip is designed to irritate paws to deter from digging, scratching or approaching the area you want to protect. It's unlikely that cats will attempt to navigate or cross over a mat, thus choosing somewhere more convenient to pee or poop.
Usage
The scat mat is simply inserted over soil and fixed in place with the provided pegs, making it ideal for protecting plants, flowerbeds, vegetable patches, lawn perimeters and anywhere you want to prevent cats from hanging out.
This prickle strip comes in a continuous 2-metre roll that can be cut into different sizes and shapes according to requirements, making it more convenient than the small individual sheets. It can also be laid on hard surfaces in front of doors and gates by weighing down the ends with bricks or stones.
For protecting fences, the Prikkastrip Eco Fence Wall Spikes can be affixed to the top of fence panels as a further deterrent, while staying in compliance with anti-climb security laws to prevent injury or pain to animals (and humans - but that's another blog!).
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0
Based on 900+ Amazon reviews.
With an impressive 4-star rating, this has the potential to be an effective multi-function product.
Conclusion
While prickle mats can be used in a variety of situations, they're also a pricier option as you're paying per roll. If you have a larger garden then it could soon add up. To save money, use in combination with other deterrents or limit to those hard-to-reach places.
Summary
Use this quick comparison guide to round up the most important points of each cat deterrent and find a solution that works best for you (and your garden!).
Urine repellent sprays: A cheap, quick-fix solution for hard surfaces such as patios, yards and doors. Requires regular application.
Scatter crystals/granules: Value for money and a long-lasting solution for soil and gravel. Similar to sprays, these are easily washed away.
Ultrasonic devices: Safe and effective with various settings to target different animals. Needs to be mounted or hung.
Jet sprays: Highly effective and best for larger gardens or lawns. Needs to be attached to a hose and you may get splattered!
Cat scarers: More for show and less effective than other products, but a great physical blockade for fences or flowerbeds.
Prickle mats: Best used for blocking off small areas including plants or flowerbeds, fences and gates. Could be costly for larger gardens.
Information accurate from January 2025 and may be subject to change. Feel free to get in touch if you think this article needs updating.
Have you tried these outdoor deterrents with any luck? Do you think something missed the list? Let us know in the comments if you have any recommendations of your own.
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