How to Keep Cats Out of the House

Co-authored by Jessica Char

Last Updated: July 3, 2024 References

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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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
Try citrus. 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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Jessica Char
Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}
- You can also try other essential oils dissolved in water, such as lavender, citronella, or eucalyptus. Citronella may also cut down on bugs in the area.^{[2]
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  Jessica Char
  Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
  
  Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}
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Use a predator urine. You can use the urine of animals like mountain lions, coyotes, or foxes from online retailers.^{[3]
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Research source} Basically, you spray the urine, creating a border around your property.^{[4]
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Research source} 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]
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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]
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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.
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]
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Expert Source

Jessica Char
Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.} Just drop some of the leftovers on the ground near your entrance to keep cats away.^{[8]
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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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Keeping Unwanted Cats Away From Doors

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1
Try an electronic pet door. 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.
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]
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3
Use water. 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]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jessica Char
  Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
  
  Expert Interview. 28 September 2021.}
- If the cat is too close to your house, you could try a spray bottle filled with water instead.
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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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.
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.
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]
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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.

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]
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Spread out sand. 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.
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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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