How to scare cats away?

How can you live better with cats and avoid damage by using certain essential oils? Discover the properties and benefits of these natural methods. Whether you have a cat or not, their presence in certain places can be undesirable: in the garden, around plants, on fabrics, near fragile furniture, etc. To keep them away and deal with the problem gently, there are repellent solutions, including alternatives to chemical products.

Because of their highly developed sense of smell, cats have little tolerance for strong or scented odors, which are very unpleasant for them: how can we use this characteristic to our advantage? This article looks at the particularities of certain essential oils, enabling us to prepare effective cat repellent blends. Let's take a look at the natural solutions that work to repel felines, as well as the benefits and properties of essential oils.

Natural, effective cat repellent solutions

Among the natural means available to drive cats away, the most effective method is to use natural repellent odors: these include certain condiments (pepper, mustard, etc.), plants such as lavender, and citrus fruits (orange or lemon peels to be scattered on the ground).

Some natural preparations can be bought commercially or made yourself; the advantage is the low cost of these methods, as our kitchens are full of ingredients whose smell is repulsive to cats: vinegar, citrus peels to crush, pepper, garlic or onion, all non-toxic products that are very useful both indoors and out. Various fabrics can also be protected from cats with spray solutions, tested beforehand to ensure that the recipe leaves no marks. To enhance the impact of these solutions and prevent cat damage, it's a good idea to add essential oils. Choose the strongest of these, such as lemon or lavender, for a tenfold repellent effect.

Essential oils quickly denature in plastic containers, so store them in glass containers. Their possible toxic effects must be taken into account in the dosage, so as not to harm the cat's health.

What are the advantages and properties of essential oils?

Essential oils are effective, economical, easy to use and non-chemical when it comes to scaring cats away. With their pleasant scent, these oils are the epitome of freshness for us, but are highly repellent to most animals. Among those to be preferred for keeping cats away are the following:

• Lemon essential oil, with its bactericidal and sanitizing properties, will keep felines away with its concentrated citrus scent.
• Lavender essential oil, known for its relaxing and digestive properties, will be useful here thanks to its concentrated fragrance.
• Eucalyptus essential oil, with its refreshing and insect-repellent properties, will also be effective against cats.

To make your own repellent spray, mix 2 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 drops of bitter orange essential oil and 2 drops of lavender essential oil, fill the spray with water and mix before use. This solution is effective in the garden and indoors, but beware of the fragility of certain fabrics.

Care should be taken with these products, as essential oils can be toxic to cats. Never spray a mixture directly onto the cat, as too high a dose can be harmful. Apply the repellent only to the areas to be protected. They can be used as a spray or added to surface cleaning water.

For plants, simply place a cloth impregnated with essential oils near the pot or in the garden. Finally, you should know that indoor dirt problems are often the expression of a cat's malaise: these situations can be resolved by creating quiet, elevated areas that are conducive to their well-being, and by using soothing pheromones.