Cats enjoy digging in flower beds and using the area as an outdoor litter box. Unfortunately, the cat can kill some of the plants with its powerful urine, and that urine also leaves behind a horrible smell. Homeowners can keep cats out of flower beds using a few simple techniques and common ingredients.

There are powder and liquid products sold online and in stores that can be sprayed in flower beds to keep cats away. A powdered product is called Shake-Away and contains the scent of predatory animal urine that will scare the cat away. The granules need to be sprinkled on the ground in the desired areas and they will work. Shake-Away is organic so it won’t harm the environment, pets or humans and won’t harm flowers.

A very natural way to keep cats out of the area involves the use of plants that repel cats. These give off odors that most cats don’t like, causing felines to avoid the area. Coleus canina, aptly known as “scary cat plant”, rue, lavender and pennyroyal are known for their ability to keep cats out of flower beds.

The garden can be sprayed with unattractive substances such as blood meal fertilizer, mothballs, and cayenne pepper flakes. Mothballs are toxic so they should be placed in a covered jar or can and then a few holes can be punched in the lid. Some also say that cayenne pepper can be harmful to cats, so this is a method some may want to use sparingly.

Homeowners who prefer to take more aggressive measures can install chain-link fences or motion-sensing sprinklers. Cats don’t like to get wet, so the sprinkler method should be quite effective. Using stone mulch or a ground cover such as sharp pine cones will deter the cat from entering the area. A feline does not like to walk on any material that feels bristly on its paws. One way to compromise with the cat is to make a litter box especially for the cat and place it near some catnip plants. The cat will be happy and will defect to the desired area.

There are many ways to keep cats out of flower beds, and some are cheaper than others. The use of commercial or natural repellents, plants that deter cats, fences, sprinklers and ruffled mulch are just a few. If the cat and the owner of the house want to meet in the middle regarding the outdoor potty, a litter box located near the catnip is a good compromise.