If you’re like us, you love cats. However, you don’t want them stalking through your garden and terrorizing the small creatures that live there. You also don’t want stray cats marking their territory and angering your housecats. You need a way to keep cats away from your garden without harming them.
We’ve put together this list of our reviews of the best cat repellents and deterrents to help you find a safe and effective way to keep cats from wreaking havoc on your garden. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks and to find a solution that’ll keep pesky kitties away from your home.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Defenders Jet Spray Pond and Garden Protector |
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Best Value | Defenders Pepper Dust |
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Premium Choice | PestBye Battery Operated Motion-Activated Waterproof Ultrasonic |
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Rentokil FC78 Cat and Fox Deterrent, Ultrasonic |
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Plai Flat Prickle Strip Dig Stopper, Cat Repellent Mat |
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The 10 Best Cat Repellents and Deterrents in the UK
1. Defenders Jet Spray Pond and Garden Protector – Best Overall
Style: | Jet Spray |
Features: | Motion-activated, water sprayer |
Difficulty Level: | Medium |
The best overall cat repellent and deterrent we reviewed is the Defenders Jet Spray. This repellent is safe, humane, and covers up to 10 meters with its spray. It’s motion-activated and relatively simple to set up. Not only will it keep pesky cats out of your yard, but it’ll also keep foxes, mice, and other critters away. This won’t work in the winter as the water will freeze. You do need to change the battery as well, although this one has a long battery life.
2. Defenders Pepper Dust – Best Value
Style: | Dust |
Features: | Strong pepper scent |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you’re hunting for a simpler way to keep cats out of your garden, our best cat repellent and deterrent for the money is Defenders Pepper Dust. All you have to do is sprinkle the pepper dust around the area you wish to protect from cats. The scent masks the smell of animal markings and is unpleasant to cats. One downside is you’ll need to sprinkle fairly regularly as the dust can blow or wash away.
3. PestBye Battery Operated Motion-Activated Waterproof Ultrasonic – Premium Choice
Style: | Ultrasonic |
Features: | Ultrasonic frequency, motion-activated |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
The PestBye Ultrasonic is our choice for the consumer who wants to spend a little more on their cat deterrent. While it costs more, you’ll get two motion sensors and an effective tool in your fight to keep your garden cat-free. You can adjust the pitch of the sound as needed to find the one that is most effective for the critters of your neighborhood. The batteries do need to be checked and replaced frequently.
4. Rentokil FC78 Cat and Fox Deterrent, Ultrasonic
Style: | Ultrasonic |
Features: | Waterproof, easy to install |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Another ultrasonic option is the Rentokil FC78. This model has fewer bells and whistles than some of the other ultrasonic devices out there. However, it’s very simple to set up and use and it’ll effectively keep cats and foxes out of your garden. All you have to do is mount it on your garden wall and turn it on. You’ll need to monitor the battery carefully as it tends to drain quickly with frequent use.
5. Plai Flat Prickle Strip Dig Stopper, Cat Repellent Mat
Style: | Spikes |
Features: | 6 pieces, weather-resistant |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you want a simple way to keep critters out of your garden year-round, the Plai Cat Repellent Mat will do the trick. These mats feature soft plastic spikes that won’t puncture paws but will create an uncomfortable route through your garden for cats and other animals. They’re very easy to install and can be left out year-round. The one con is that they can get rather expensive if you want to cover a large area.
6. Vonivi Ultrasonic Cat Repellent and Deterrent, Solar Powered
Style: | Ultrasonic |
Features: | Solar powered, motion-activated |
Difficulty Level: | Medium |
If you’re looking for an option that doesn’t run on batteries, then the Vonivi might be the choice for you. This ultrasonic model runs on solar panels so it can self-charge during the day. The ultrasonic noise can reach up to nine meters, providing effective coverage for most or all of your garden. Poor weather can be a problem, though, as your device may fail to recharge properly.
7. Yissone Anti-Cat Prickle Strip, Cat Scare Mat
Style: | Spikes |
Features: | weather-resistant |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This prickle strip option comes in a two-meter-long roll. You can cut it into sections to fit where needed. The spikes are uncomfortable for animals to walk on and help prevent digging in your garden and flower beds. It can also be left in place all year as it’s impervious to heat, cold, and moisture. The one downside is the price. If you have a large garden, you might need to spend quite a bit to cover every area you’d like to protect.
8. PestBye Jet Spray Cat Repeller
Style: | Jet Spray |
Features: | Motion-activated, adjustable |
Difficulty Level: | Medium |
If you like the idea of a water repellent instead of a sonic one, the PestBye Jet Spray is a solid option. This model is relatively simple to set up and covers up to 10 meters with its spray. It’s activated by movement so cats will be surprised by the spray when they try to enter your garden. Jet sprayers typically are not usable in extremely cold weather as they’ll freeze. Thus, you might need another option when winter comes around.
9. Selections Ultrasonic Cat Repeller
Style: | Ultrasonic |
Features: | Solar powered, weather-resistant |
Difficulty Level: | Medium |
This weather-resistant ultrasonic cat repeller is a good choice when you want something to work in all weather. It even has a solar panel for some of your battery charging needs. However, when the solar power doesn’t give you enough juice, there’s a charging cable you can use. Ultrasonic repellents are safe for animals and will effectively keep pests away from your garden.
10. Karlsten Cat Repellent Anti-Fouling Granules
Style: | Granules |
Features: | Citronella scented granules |
Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Like pepper dust, citronella granules also deter cats and other pests from your garden with the scent. These easy to sprinkle granules won’t break the bank and can be used throughout your garden. You will need to replace them about once per week which can be a little time-consuming. They’re non-toxic, though, so your applications are safe for you and your neighborhood creatures.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Repellents & Deterrents
Now that you’ve read our reviews of the top cat repellents, let’s take a closer look at a few important points you’ll need to consider when looking for the right one for your needs.
What Types of Cat Repellents Are Available?
For Further Consideration
We highly recommend only using safe, non-toxic deterrents in your garden. You don’t want to harm the cats in your neighborhood, just keep them away from your property.
Some of the deterrents we reviewed require batteries or other maintenance. Others, such as the type you sprinkle around, need to be reapplied frequently. Some models cannot be left outside in the winter. Keep all of these things in mind as you select the best option for you.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read our reviews of the best cat repellents and deterrents for your garden, you should be able to select the best one for your needs. For the best overall choice, the Defender Jet Spray will do the trick. If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly solution, the Defenders Pepper Dust will work. You can now be confident that you can enjoy your garden without unwelcome furry intruders.
Featured Image Credit: FotoHelin, Shutterstock