How to Keep Cats out of Containers and Garden Beds

By Calin Oancea and Liviu Burileanu

6/19/20244 min read

Key Takeaways

Create unpleasant surfaces for cats to walk on.

Use strong scents that cats dislike.

Install motion-activated sprinklers.

Grow plants that naturally repel cats.

Use physical barriers to prevent cats from accessing garden beds.

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a cat in a container garden
a cat in a container garden
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dark green design
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Green Box

6 Best Methods to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden Beds:

Motion-Activated Water Sprinklers:

Install motion-activated water sprinklers that surprise cats with a burst of water, effectively deterring them without harm.

Creating Uncomfortable Surfaces:

Lay down materials like pine cones, eggshells, or rough stone mulch that are off-putting to cat paws. When we implemented this method it worked quite well but you got to do it aggressively and use a lot of materials that cats dislike.

Smell Barriers:

You also can utilize citrus peels, cayenne pepper, or commercially available repellents with scents cats detest. Make sure they are fresh and have an intense smell like most deer-resistant shrubs.

Natural Repellents:

Integrate container plants in border-specific garden layouts with strong scents such as lavender, or Coleus canina, or other intense-smelling plants to repel cats.

We tried this method with two medium-sized lavender bushes and it didn't work quite well, so go with other plants that are more intense smelling when testing this method.

  • Pro Tip: You can also use animals like dogs for repeling or create an attractive place for cats elsewhere to keep them out of your containers.

a garden surface with pine needles and cones
a garden surface with pine needles and cones

Physical Barrier:

Encircle garden beds with chicken wire or a similar fence to block cat access.

We tried this method to keep dogs and cats out of the vegetable garden, and it worked exceptionally well, choose a fence that is high and resistant. It also works well when stopping deer from eating plants.

  • Expert Tip: This is one of the most powerful methods to use so try to implement this first additionally it is also used in compost fencing, for creating privacy and to keep other larger animals away.

Designated Cat Garden:

Allocate a section of your garden for cat-friendly plants like catnip or wheatgrass to distract them from other areas.

a Lavender plant as a cat repellent
a Lavender plant as a cat repellent
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a phisical barrier for cats and other animals
a phisical barrier for cats and other animals
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green design
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FAQ

Can these methods be used to protect vegetable gardens as well?

Absolutely! These methods are effective, no matter if you grow carrots in garden beds or raise beets in containers. The expert techniques work for all types of gardens, including vegetable plots. Just ensure any materials used are safe for edible plants.

How can I make my garden less appealing to cats without using repellents?

Keep your garden tidy, remove feces promptly to discourage return visits, and avoid leaving out food that might attract cats.

Is it necessary to use all these methods simultaneously?

Not necessarily. You might find one method more effective than others, or a combination of a few might be best for your situation. Experiment to see what works best for keeping cats out of your garden beds.

Can I use essential oils as a repellent?

Yes, but use them sparingly and diluted, as strong concentrations can be harmful to cats. It's better to stick to natural scents like citrus peels.

Will mothballs keep cats out of my garden?

No, mothballs are very dangerous deterrents. You should not use them in your garden, because they are toxic to both cats and humans.

a yellow cat next to a garden bed with flowers
a yellow cat next to a garden bed with flowers
Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
Green Box
Green Box

Article By:

Calin has been in the garden industry for 5 years and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He is the founder of this website and is responsible for most of the content.

Reviewed and Fact Checked By:

Liviu Burileanu

Liviu is an expert gardener who has farmed and grown plants for 15 years. He likes houseplants and also knows cybersecurity like the back of his hand.