
Expert Guide on How to Keep Cats Out of Gardens
Share
Cats are among the most popular pets in the UK, with 11 million cats in the country. But as popular as cats are, they can be a big problem, too.
Cats like to roam and maintain large territories outside the house, including your garden. That can lead to problems with stinky cat urine, cat droppings, and even cats having fights or mating loudly.
Feral cats can also be a threat to your pets. As carnivores, they are dangerous to native animals like birds and squirrels.
Figuring out whether the cats in your garden are feral or somebody's pet is the first step to dealing with the issue. Plus, there are lots of ways you can keep cats out of your garden without harming them. Read on to learn more about how to keep cats out.
Understanding Cat Behaviour
Cats are domesticated animals and were introduced to the UK as pets. However, they never lost their wild instincts, and when they find themselves homeless, they often revert to a more natural state of life.
If you have cats in your garden, you need to understand what kind of cat they are. Are they:
- Somebody's pet that has decided to visit your garden?
- A stray pet that has gotten lost?
- A feral cat that is not socialised to humans and lives wild? Feral cats are often born outside and live their lives like wild animals.
Pet cats and stray cats tend to be very friendly. Feral cats are much more wary.

Why Do Cats Come Into Your Garden?
Cats come into your garden for a few reasons. Here are some things that attract cats to your property:
- Good hunting: If you have lots of birds, mice, or rats, it will attract cats to hunt them.
- Soft or sandy soil they can use as a toilet.
- Sunny spots to bask in.
- Certain plants can attract cats, such as lemongrass and sunflowers.
Preventing Cats
Block Access
Cats can be difficult to keep out and deter. However, inspect your gates and fences and see if there are any holes the cats are slipping through. You can also install anti-climb spikes on your fences.

Deny Shelter
Stray or feral cats may decide to live in your garden. Secure outbuildings like garden sheds, and trim hedges and bushes where cats may hide.

Long-Term Cat Prevention
- Reduce clutter in your garden to deter cats from garden.
- Inspect your property regularly to make sure cats can't get in.
- Remove bird feeders that attract birds for cats to hunt.
- Talk to your neighbours to see if they are letting their cats out near your garden. Be understanding, as owners don't have a lot of control over outdoor cats. However, if they put a litter box in their garden, it may stop the cat from using yours.
- If cats are using your garden as a toilet, consider putting out a litter box for them. It sounds extreme, but it makes clean-up much easier when they all go in the same place.
Humane Cat Control Methods
Natural Deterrents
- Cats don't like prickly surfaces. Planting prickly plants or using repellent spikes, sharp gravel or stone chippings can make your garden less attractive.
- Keep your flowerbeds well-watered, as many cats prefer dry soil to dig in.

Chemical Deterrents
- Use a specially formulated cat repellent. These sprays use strong smells to chase cats away. We suggest checking the ingredients carefully to avoid toxic and hazardous ingredients. As with any chemical product, it's important to use instructions carefully.
Scare Tactics
- Most cats hate water. You could try squirting a low-powered water pistol close to (not at!) cats on your property.
- Motion-activated sprinkler systems can be set to activate when a cat enters your property.
When to Call a Professional
Most pest control companies in the UK aren't licensed to deal with cats. If you can't solve your problem by talking to your neighbours and using deterrents, contact your local branch of the RSPCA. If the cats are feral or stray, they can trap them and try to find homes. Feral cats, on the other hand, will be trapped, neutered, and released.
Final Thoughts
We normally think of cats as companions, but they can easily become a problem on your property. Cats have a lot of protection under the law, so it's important to find ways to deal with them humanely.
Keeping cats out of your garden begins with figuring out if they are your neighbour's pets, strays, or feral. Then you can use deterrents to keep them away.
At PestBuddy, we're here to empower you with effective, fast, safety-conscious DIY cat control products. Explore our range of products to take control of your pest problems with confidence.