Outwit Your Feline Frenemies: How to Make a Natural Cat Repellent Spray That Really Works (with 4 Purrfect Recipes)

Introduction

There are many benefits to using natural ingredients to make homemade cat repellent spray. Making a natural cat repellent is non-toxic and cost-effective. In addition, they are easy to make at home with ingredients that you may already have on hand.

There are three main natural cat repellent spray types: citrus, essential oil, and vinegar. Each type of repellent has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.

We include a fourth homemade cat repellent recipe which will repel cats when all else has failed.

Citrus Repellent

Citrus repellents are made with fruits such as lemons, oranges, or grapefruits. The acidic nature of citrus fruits is thought to be unpleasant for cats. Citrus repellents are also thought to have a strong scent that can deter cats. These repellents are cheap to make, and will leave a pleasant smell but require the most time and some heating on the hob.

Essential Oil Repellent

Essential oil repellents are made with a combination of essential oils and water. Essential oils are thought to have a strong scent that can deter cats. Some common essential oils used in repellents include lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus. These repellents are easy to make, but you will need to purchase essential oils. In addition, some people may be sensitive to the strong scent of essential oils.

Vinegar Repellent

Vinegar repellents are made with a combination of vinegar and water. Vinegar is thought to have a strong scent that can deter cats. In addition, the acidic nature of vinegar is thought to be unpleasant for cats. These repellents are easy to make and are the most cost-effective option. However, some people may not like the strong smell of vinegar.

Garlic Pepper and Lemon Cat Repellent Spray

This recipe is one to use after all else has failed. It effectively keeps cats and people away from the sprayed area.

How to make Citrus cat repellent

You will need

• 1/2 litre water
• 100 g of citrus fruit peel (you can use orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, or tangerine)
• The juice from half a lemon
• Dish soap (ideally lemon scented)

Method

1. Pour the water into a medium pot and heat it on the hob on medium-high heat.
2. Meanwhile, juice the lemon and reserve the juice.
3. Chop the citrus fruit peel, including the lemon you’ve just juiced into small pieces.
4. When the water comes to a boil, add the citrus peel, lower the heat slightly and let it simmer for 20 minutes with a loose-fitting lid.
5. After 20 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and stir.
6. Let the mixture cool completely
7. Pour the mixture through a sieve into the spray bottle. A funnel will probably help as well.
8. Add the lemon juice
9. Add a squirt of dish soap
10. Gently swirl the ingredients together.

To use

Shake the bottle before each use.

Spray directly on areas where you don’t want cats, such as on furniture, the ground outside, or plants.

The mixture should last for several weeks when stored in a cool, dark place.

How to make essential oil cat repellent

You will need

• Small glass spray bottle (60 ml size)
• Water
• Selection of essential oils. You can choose from lemon, orange, lavender, lime, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
• A combination of 3 of the above works very well, and you’ll need two drops of each.

Method

1. Fill the glass spray bottle 2/3 full with water (it is important to use a glass bottle as the essential oils can degrade plastic)
2. Add two drops of each essential oil
3. Put the lid on the bottle and shake well to mix everything

To use

Shake the bottle before each use and spray directly on areas where you don’t want cats, such as on furniture, the ground outside, or plants.

The mixture should last for several weeks when stored in a cool, dark place. Avoid spraying it on yourself or anyone else, as the essential oils can irritate and stain surfaces, carpets and clothing.

How to make vinegar cat repellent

You will need

• A clean, empty spray bottle
• Water
• White vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• Liquid hand or dish soap

Method

1. The water and vinegar are used in equal measure
2. Pour the water into the spray bottle to just under the halfway point.
3. Pour the vinegar into the spray bottle to nearly the top
4. Add a few squirts of soap to the mixture
5. Put the lid on the bottle and give it a gentle shake to mix everything

To use

Shake the bottle before each use and spray directly on areas where you don’t want cats, such as on outdoor furniture, the ground outside, or plants.

The mixture should last for several weeks when stored in a cool, dark place. Avoid spraying it on yourself or anyone else, as the vinegar smell can be strong.

How to make garlic pepper and lemon cat repellent spray

You will need

• A clean, empty spray bottle
• Water
• 2 garlic cloves quartered
• Crushed Peppercorns
• 3 or 4 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon powder

Method

1. Add the mustard, cinnamon powder and pepper to the spray bottle.
2. Squeeze in 3 or 4 drops of lemon essential oil
3. Add the quartered garlic cloves (don’t crush them, or they will block the suction tube)
4. Swish the bottle to combine the ingredients
5. Top the bottle up with water and shake to combine the ingredients fully
6. Leave the mixture for 24 hours to enable the scents to infuse fully

To use

Shake the bottle before each use and spray directly on areas where you don’t want cats (or people!).

The mixture should last for several weeks when stored in a cool, dark place. Avoid spraying it on yourself or anyone else, as the garlic smell can be strong.

Tips on how to use the sprays effectively

There are a few things to keep in mind when using natural cat repellent sprays:

• Spray the repellent around the perimeter of the area you want to protect. Be sure to reapply the repellent every few days or as needed.
• You can also use repellents indoors, but be sure to ventilate the area well.
• Depending on the individual cat, some repellents may be more effective than others. You may need to experiment with different types of repellents to find one that works for your situation.

Conclusion

Whether or not you’re a cat lover, you know that living near other people’s cats can be challenging. While it’s natural for cats to roam around, there are ways to keep them from coming into your yard or garden – and using one of the homemade natural cat repellent recipes we’ve shared today is a great place to start.

Remember that some sprays may work better than others against certain cats, so feel free to experiment until you find the right recipe for your neighborhood cats.

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