From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cat deterrent is a mechanism or device used to discourage cats from entering an area, or to encourage them to leave if they do enter. Cat deterrents are most commonly used by gardeners, in order to prevent damage to their gardens or avoid acquiring unwanted cat faeces; people with an interest in observing garden birds also use cat deterrents.

Cat deterrents include:

• lion dung
• orange peel and other objects of a citrus origin
• ultrasonic devices
• electric fencing

Lion Dung has been reported to be an effective method of deterring cats, and has received support from the British organisation Cats Protection. Research reported by the BBC [1] found that it was not terribly effective however.

Cats dislike the smell of citrus, and citrus-based products are used by some as a deterrent.

Ultrasonic devices (inaudible to humans) are a popular method of deterring cats. The RSPB, on the basis of a trial involving 150 volunteers, has endorsed a commercial product called "CatWATCH" RSPB research on electronic cat deterrents

A design for an electric fence for deterring cats can be found here. A variety of commercially produced electric fences are also available, with voltages low enough to deter but not cause harm to cats. Care must be taken with the strength of electric current used; one Cumbria pensioner received a fine for setting up a system based on a 12v battery charger, unknowingly allowing a dangerously high current (15amps) to flow through the wiring. He was most likely misled by the idea that he was only using 12 volts and was unaware of the high current condition. [2] [3].

Cats Protection describe the use of electric fences as "barbaric" on their website, though they do not give any evidence to support this view.

• BirdForum advice on cat deterrence
• An electronic cat deterrent device