How To Get Rid Of Neighbors’ Cats In My Yard: Best Guide

If you have a problem with your neighbors’ cats coming into your yard, you may be wondering how to keep them out.

While it can be frustrating to have unwanted cats in your space, it’s important to remember that they are simply following their natural instincts and may not understand that they are causing a problem.

In this article, we will discuss some humane and effective ways to deter your neighbors’ cats from entering your yard.

Why Should You Keep Neighbor’s Cats Out Of Your Property?

There are a few reasons why you might want to keep your neighbors’ cats out of your property:

1. Damage to plants and property: Cats can dig in flower beds, scratch furniture, and leave behind messes. This can be frustrating if you have spent time and money caring for your garden or maintaining your outdoor space.
2. Personal preference: Some people simply do not want cats on their property, whether for personal, religious, or cultural reasons.
3. Health concerns: If you or someone in your household is allergic to cats, it can be important to keep them out of your yard to avoid triggering allergic reactions.
4. Safety concerns: If you have small children or pets, you may be concerned about the safety of your family if your neighbors’ cats are allowed to roam freely in your yard.
5. Unhygienic: The cats can wander and poop in your personal yard. One reason to keep your neighbors’ cats out of your yard is to avoid having them use it as a bathroom. Cat feces can be unpleasant to clean up, and it can also pose a potential health hazard if left in the yard, as it can contain parasites that can be transmitted to humans or other animals.
6. May hunt on small animals: Cats are natural hunters, and it is common for them to hunt small animals, such as rodents, insects, and birds, when given the opportunity. This is because hunting is an instinctive behavior for cats, and it helps to keep their minds and bodies active and healthy.ring into their territory. As a result, your own pets won’t feel safe. 

Remember to always approach the situation in a respectful and non-confrontational manner, as your neighbors are likely just as concerned about the well-being of their pets as you are about the well-being of your yard.

How To Get Rid Of Neighbors’ Cats In My Yard: 13 Ways

1. Use A Cat Repellent Scent

There are a variety of commercial cat repellents available that use scent to deter cats from entering a particular area. These products typically contain pungent odors that are unpleasant to cats, such as citrus or ammonia, and are designed to be sprayed around the perimeter of your yard.

To use a cat repellent scent, simply follow the instructions on the product packaging. Some tips for getting the best results include:

1. Test a small area first: Before applying the repellent over a large area, it is a good idea to test a small patch to make sure that it is effective and does not cause any adverse effects.
2. Reapply as needed: The effectiveness of a cat repellent scent can vary depending on factors such as weather and the age of the product. It may be necessary to reapply the repellent every few days or after it has been exposed to heavy rain.
3. Combine with other deterrents: Using a cat repellent scent in conjunction with other deterrents, such as physical barriers or noise makers, can increase its effectiveness.

It’s important to note that while cat repellent scents can be an effective deterrent, they may not work for all cats or in all situations. If you are having trouble keeping your neighbors’ cats out of your yard, it may be necessary to try a combination of different deterrents to find what works best for your situation.

Note: Avoid using high-toxicity cat repellent spray if you have other pets or small children in your home. It can also be harmful to your own pets. Use a less toxic spray instead.

2. Use Cat Repelling Plants

Another option for deterring cats from entering your yard is to use plants that have a strong scent or texture that is unpleasant to cats. Some examples of cat-repelling plants include:

1. Lavender: This fragrant herb is known for its calming scent, but many cats find it unpleasant and will avoid areas where it is growing.
2. Citrus plants: The strong scent of citrus fruits can be off-putting to cats. Planting citrus trees or shrubs around the perimeter of your yard may help to keep cats out.
3. Coleus canina: Also known as “scaredy cat plant,” coleus canina has a strong, pungent odor that is unpleasant to cats. It is often used as a natural cat repellent.
4. Rosemary: This fragrant herb has a strong, woody scent that many cats find unappealing. Planting rosemary around your yard may help to keep cats away.

3. Ensure To Put Your Leftovers Only In The Trash Can

Ensuring that you properly dispose of your food scraps and leftovers can be an effective way to deter your neighbors’ cats from entering your yard. Cats are attracted to the smell of food, and if they are able to find an easy source of food in your trash, they may be more likely to visit your yard. By making sure to put your leftovers only in the trash can and securing the lid, you can help to reduce the attraction of your yard to cats.

It’s also a good idea to regularly clean your outdoor trash cans to remove any lingering food odors. You can do this by using a disinfectant spray or wiping the cans down with a mixture of water and vinegar.

In addition to reducing the attractiveness of your yard to cats, properly disposing of your food scraps can also help to prevent pests, such as rats and raccoons, from entering your yard in search of food. This can help to create a safer and more pleasant outdoor environment for you and your family.

4. Keep The Sandboxes Away

If you have children who enjoy playing in sandboxes, it’s important to keep in mind that cats may also be attracted to these areas. Cats often use sand or soil as a litter box, and if you have a sandbox in your yard, it may be tempting for them to use it as a toilet.

To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to keep your sandbox covered when it is not in use. This will help to discourage cats from using it as a litter box, and it will also keep the sand clean and hygienic for your children to play in. You can also consider placing the sandbox in a location that is less accessible to cats, such as on a patio or in a fenced area.

If your sandbox has already been used as a litter box by cats, it is important to clean it thoroughly before allowing your children to play in it. This can help to prevent the transmission of any diseases or parasites that may be present in the feces.

If you want to know how to keep a cat away from your house, remove all the bird feeders first. In case you love birds and keep bird feeders for them in your yard, make sure to place them at the top of a tree or just remove it altogether. The bird food would potentially attract your neighbor’s cats, and it would become a habit for the cat to wander in your yard and enjoy a free snack every day. 

So, even if you place a bird feeder, ensure to keep them away from the cat’s reach. 

6. Block All The Entry Access Of The Cats

One way to deter your neighbors’ cats from entering your yard is to block their access to it. This can be done by installing physical barriers, such as fences or gates, around the perimeter of your yard.

There are a few different options for fencing materials that can be effective at keeping cats out, including:

1. Chain link: This type of fence is durable and can be effective at keeping cats out, as they may not be able to climb or squeeze through the gaps in the fence.
2. Welded wire: This type of fence has smaller gaps between the wires, which can make it more difficult for cats to climb or squeeze through.
3. Solid wood or vinyl: These types of fences provide a solid barrier that cats cannot pass through. However, they may be more expensive and may not be as visually appealing as other types of fencing.

In addition to installing a fence, you can also consider sealing any gaps or openings in your existing fence that may be large enough for a cat to pass through. This can help to prevent cats from entering your yard through these openings.

It’s important to note that while blocking the entry access of the cats can be an effective deterrent, it may not be practical or feasible in all situations.

7. Wash Away Their Scents

Cats have a highly developed sense of smell and will often mark their territory by spraying urine or leaving scent markings with their paws. If your neighbors’ cats are entering your yard and marking it as their territory, this may be causing them to return to your yard again and again.

To deter the cats from entering your yard, you can try washing away their scents. This can be done by using a pet-safe disinfectant or a mixture of water and vinegar to clean any areas where the cats have marked. You can also consider using a pet-safe scent repellent, such as citronella or eucalyptus, to help mask the scent of the cats.

By washing away the cats’ scents and replacing them with a less appealing smell, you may be able to discourage them from returning to your yard.

Note that this method may not be effective for all cats, and you may need to try a combination of different deterrents to find what works best for your situation.

8. Make Sure To Keep All The Mice Away From Your Yard

If your neighbors’ cats are entering your yard to hunt mice, it can be helpful to try to reduce the population of mice in your outdoor space. This can be done by:

1. Removing any sources of food or water that may be attracting the mice to your yard, such as bird feeders or outdoor pet food dishes.
2. Sealing any gaps or openings in your home’s foundation or exterior walls that may be allowing the mice to enter your yard.
3. Using mouse-proof containers to store your trash and keeping your trash cans secured with tight-fitting lids.
4. Using mouse traps or bait stations to capture and remove any mice that are already present in your yard.

By reducing the population of mice in your yard, you may be able to deter your neighbors’ cats from entering your property to hunt them.

9. Use Ultrasonic Instruments To Drive The Cats Away

Ultrasonic instruments, such as pest repellers, emit high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but can be heard by animals, including cats. These sounds may be unpleasant or uncomfortable to the cats and can be used as a deterrent to keep them away from a particular area.

There are a variety of ultrasonic pest repellers available on the market that are specifically designed to deter cats. To use one of these devices, simply follow the instructions on the product packaging and place it in a location where it can effectively cover the area you want to protect, such as near the perimeter of your yard.

10. Use Water Sprinklers To Drive The Cats Away

Installing a water sprinkler system in your yard can be an effective way to deter your neighbors’ cats from entering your property. Cats generally do not like being sprayed with water and may be discouraged from entering an area where they are at risk of getting wet.

There are a few different types of water sprinklers that can be used to deter cats, including:

1. Motion-activated sprinklers: These types of sprinklers are activated by the movement of a cat entering the area and will spray a burst of water in their direction.
2. Timer-based sprinklers: These sprinklers can be set to turn on at specific times of day, such as during the times when you know the cats are likely to be in your yard.

To use a water sprinkler to deter cats, simply follow the instructions on the product packaging and set it up in a location where it can effectively cover the area you want to protect, such as near the perimeter of your yard.

11. Make The Soil Prickly

Making the soil in your yard prickly or uncomfortable for the cats to walk on may be an effective way to deter them from entering your property. There are a few different ways you can do this:

1. Add rocks or gravel: Scattering rocks or gravel around the perimeter of your yard or in areas where the cats tend to enter can create an unpleasant surface for them to walk on.
2. Use pine cones or other prickly objects: Placing pine cones or other prickly objects around the perimeter of your yard or in areas where the cats tend to enter can make the surface uncomfortable for them to walk on.
3. Plant prickly plants: Some plants, such as rosebushes or cacti, have thorns or other prickly features that can make the surface uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Planting these types of plants around the perimeter of your yard or in areas where the cats tend to enter may help to deter them.

12. Other Alternatives

If other methods have not been successful, you can try the following alternatives:

1. Spread citrus fruit peels in your yard. Cats dislike the smell of orange and other citrus fruits, so this can act as a natural repellent.
2. Place garlic around your yard or grow it in your yard. Garlic can help to deter cats and can also be used for cooking.
3. Sprinkle coffee beans around your yard. The strong aroma of coffee may be unpleasant to cats and may discourage them from entering your yard.

13. Let Your Neighbors Know

If you are having problems with your neighbors’ cats entering your yard and you have tried a variety of deterrents without success, it may be a good idea to let your neighbors know about the issue. They may not be aware that their cats are causing a problem, and they may be willing to work with you to find a solution.

There are a few different ways you can communicate with your neighbors about the issue:

1. Knock on their door and have a face-to-face conversation. This can be an effective way to discuss the issue and try to find a solution together.
2. Leave a note on their doorstep. If you are not comfortable having a face-to-face conversation, you can leave a note explaining the issue and asking for their assistance in finding a solution.
3. Contact them by phone or email. If you prefer not to speak in person or leave a note, you can try contacting your neighbors by phone or email to discuss the issue.

It’s important to remember to approach the conversation in a calm and respectful manner. Your neighbors may not be aware that their cats are causing a problem, and it is important to be understanding and open to finding a solution together.

FAQ’s

How do I get rid of stray cats permanently?

It is not humane or ethical to try to get rid of stray cats permanently. Stray cats are animals that have been abandoned or have become lost, and they have a right to be cared for and protected.

Instead of trying to get rid of stray cats permanently, there are a few things you can do to help address the problem:

1. Provide food and water: Stray cats may be attracted to your yard because they are looking for food and water. By providing these resources, you can help to meet their basic needs and may discourage them from roaming or entering your yard.
2. Trap and neuter: If you are seeing a large number of stray cats in your area, you can try trapping them and having them spayed or neutered. This can help to reduce the population of stray cats over time and may decrease the number of cats entering your yard.
3. Report the problem to your local animal control agency: If you are concerned about the welfare of stray cats in your area, you can contact your local animal control agency for assistance. They may be able to provide information on programs or resources available to help manage the stray cat population in your community.

How do you keep unwanted cats off your property?

As mentioned above, there are a variety of methods you can try to keep unwanted cats off your property. These methods include using cat repellent scents, planting cat-repelling plants, installing physical barriers, washing away the cats’ scents, using ultrasonic instruments, and using water sprinklers.

If you are having trouble keeping unwanted cats off your property, it may be necessary to try a combination of different deterrents to find what works best for your situation.

What is the most effective cat repellent?

There are a variety of cat repellents available on the market, and the most effective one will depend on your specific situation. However here are the few that we can recommend that work the best.

• Pet MasterMind Cat Spray
• PetSafe SSSCAT Spray Pet Deterrent
• Nature’s Mace Cat Repellent
• Sticky Paws Furniture Strips 

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a variety of methods you can try to keep unwanted cats off your property.

These methods include using cat repellent scents, planting cat-repelling plants, installing physical barriers, washing away the cats’ scents, using ultrasonic instruments, and using water sprinklers. It’s important to note that while these methods may be effective at deterring some cats, they may not work for all cats or in all situations.

If you are having trouble keeping unwanted cats off your property, it may be necessary to try a combination of different deterrents to find what works best for your situation. It is also important to remember that stray cats are living beings that deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, and it is not humane or ethical to try to get rid of them permanently.