7 Best Cat Repellents of 2024

The Pestbye® Battery Operated Cat Repellent are a set of ultrasonic cat deterrents with a slightly different design compared to many others on the market.

While some ultrasonic repellers use a gradually increasing frequency, or a rhythmically fluctuating frequency, this cat repellent uses a HRF (HyperResonance) frequency. This jumps between frequency levels, providing a short, sharp burst of surprising sound to the visiting animal. This means that cats and other unwanted visitors are less likely to get used to the sound of this cat repellent. It’s also, therefore, reasonably effective at scaring them away.

These cat repellents come in a set of two meaning they can be placed at opposite ends of the garden to scare away intruders. Each one has a large coverage area, up to 10 m away from the unit. The motion sensor detects animals and activates the frequency.

These repellers are very easy to use. They run off 3 x AA batteries and come with a stake so can be easily pushed into the ground. Alternatively, it’s possible to wall mount the units as they come with a hanging hook.

Designed to be left out in the UK weather, these cat repellents are both waterproof and dustproof; they have an IP44 rating. The only thing required in terms of maintenance is changing the batteries when they run out; however, the battery life is a reasonable four months (if the unit is activated an average of 10 times per day).

The only thing these cat repellents are missing is a solar charging capability. Changing the batteries is a little fiddly as there are four small Phillips screws protecting the compartment. It’s easy enough to do, but the cat repellents with solar charging add another level of simplicity.

It’s also possible that some humans may occasionally be able to hear these frequencies. If you have particularly sensitive hearing, you may wish to place these further away from your home.

Overall, these are some of the best cat repellents if you want a unit that uses this specifically-designed ‘HyperResonance Frequency’. It may help stop some cats from getting too accustomed to the use of ultrasonic sound.

The Defenders Cat and Dog Scatter Granules offer a simple method that works well to deter both cats and dogs. These granules are biodegradable, coated with garlic to produce a strong smell that cats dislike. They’re one of the best cat repellents if you’re after a simple, spreadable option (this one specifically is garlic-based).

To use these granules, simply sprinkle them in the areas of your lawn that cats tend to visit the most. This 450 g carton will cover 150 m², so you should have enough for a medium size garden. As these granules are biodegradable and only contain natural ingredients, they can be sprinkled on borders, plants and pathways without causing damage.

For easy distribution, this repellent also comes with a shaker cap. This means it can simply be sprinkled on the areas that cats, dogs and foxes visit. You don’t need to weigh it out or use a separate spreader. Before application, you should ensure that the garden areas are clean – any remnants of faeces may encourage the cat back again.

One of the best things about this cat repellent is that it doesn’t use any jump-scare tactics. Although Some users have found that cats still visit their garden after using this product, they are less likely to defecate on the lawn or flowerbeds.

Overall, this cat repellent is very good value for money. While not perfect, it does a good job and is a low cost option. One thing to note is that regular application is needed, especially if it rains. You may also find that insects (such as bees) are deterred from your garden too.

If you’re looking for an easy to use and good value cat repellent, the Defenders Cat and Dog Scatter Granules are well worth considering.

Designed to prevent unwelcome felines from defecating in your garden, these Karlsten Cat Repellent Anti Fouling Granules use a natural formula that won’t harm plants or wildlife. They contain Citronella to deter cats, making them one of the best cat repellents if you want a natural, citronella-based formula.

The granules are easy to apply and can be easily sprinkled onto the lawn. The scent of these granules mask territorial markings, stopping cats from marking your garden as part of their territory. This is good news for preventing cats from leaving mess behind as well as deterring them from digging up flower beds.

One of the best things about these granules is that they are weather resistant and remain effective for seven days after application – even if it rains. For best results, the manufacturer recommends reapplying over a period of two weeks.

One tub of this cat repellent offers coverage of 218 m² and there is a shaker cap that makes application relatively easy. It’s quite easy to use these granules quickly, so be aware of this when applying them.

There are a lot of natural cat repellents on the market that use garlic, which some people dislike the smell of. If you’re happier with the smell of citronella, these granules can add a refreshing scent to your garden!

Overall, this repellent offers a natural solution which helps prevent neighbourhood cats from digging and fouling in your garden.

For treating small areas in the garden, consider this Defenders Pepper Dust. It prevents digging and fouling and can be used in front gardens, on lawns or on flower beds.

It comes in a 300 g bottle that covers 10 m²; therefore, it’s a good option if you’re worried about buying and wasting larger amounts of product. It comes in a ‘dust’ form, which will spread well over the desired area.

Like the other repellents I’ve mentioned, this pepper-based deterrent is welfare-friendly. It won’t harm animals and simply deters them. The bottle is fitted with a shaker cap which makes it easy to distribute the dust in the garden.

Given that the base ingredient is pepper, this product gives an alternative option to citronella or garlic products. If you find that you don’t like the smell of garlic or citronella, or haven’t found those products to be effective, this gives an alternative option to try.

The pepper dust degrades naturally without trace. It can be applied year-round; however, it’s best used in still, dry weather. For best results, it should be reapplied regularly, particularly after a rainy or very windy day.

Another thing to note is that you’ll need to remove all evidence of previous fouling or damage. Cats tend to foul in the same place each time. Cleaning these areas before applying the product will give you the best results.

The Princessk Ultrasonic Cat Repellent has been designed to deter a range of unwelcome intruders, including cats. There are five sensitivity modes to choose from, depending on the size of the animal you are looking to deter. It can also be charged either by solar panels or via USB, making it one of the best cat repellents in terms of versatility.

This repellent is safe for both humans and animals. It has a PIR motion sensor that detects movement and triggers the ultrasonic sound. The sensor range is between 6 and 8 m, covering a 110° arc in front of the unit.

Its two charging options are useful for keeping it running. Most of the time, the solar panels will make this cat repellent free to charge. However, if there has been a spout of cloudy weather, it can be charged via USB as a backup.

Perfect for outdoor use, this cat repellent has a waterproof IPX4 rating. The hard plastic shell is very durable, so it can be used in winter as well as summer. It doesn’t need to be installed in a sheltered area, and it can be either hung on an object or mounted into the ground.

As with all ultrasonic deterrents, you may find that it’s more effective against some cats than others. There’s also a chance that some humans may be able to hear this, so if you have particularly sensitive hearing you should place it at the far end of your garden.

Overall, this is one of the best cat repellents if you’re after a versatile, low-maintenance option. One of the most useful things about it is that the batteries can be charged externally if necessary, but most of the time it can be left to do its thing and charge in the sun.

The PestShield Move It Cat & Dog Garden Repellent comes with two bottles included, each containing 240g of powder. Therefore, it offers good value for money if you’re after a spreadable, powder product.

This repellent is organic and non-toxic, so it won’t harm the animals it deters. It can be used on borders, beds, pathways and driveways. Simply apply it to the areas of your lawn that are most frequently visited by cats. This is best done in dry weather, and you will need to reapply when it rains,

The scent isn’t as strong as some other repellents so it will need quite regular reapplication. It’s also quite lightweight so can scatter more than intended in windy weather.

It’s worth noting that whilst this repellent can be effective, it won’t prevent animals from entering your garden. Instead, it’s intended to deter them from fouling in the same areas. As with many of these repellent products, some cats will be deterred more than others.

This formula is ready to use and can be applied to your lawn and garden straight away.

A fairly ‘classic’ cat repellent, the Black Cat Silhouette for Garden comes with three black cat silhouettes. They have reflective eyes intended to spook visiting cats into thinking they’re invading another cat’s territory. The three silhouettes are: a “scared cat”, a “sitting cat” and a  “stalking cat”. Surely enough to send any unwanted feline running!

They’re the best cat repellents if you want a low maintenance option. There are no batteries to charge and no product to reapply.

These cat scarers have bright marble eyes that’ll scare off cats, rodents, birds, rabbits, squirrels and more. Of course, it may not be 100% effective, as some visitors may get used to them. However, as a humane form of pest control, they are a good option. They’re also easy to move around, which is a tactic that can help keep cats on their toes.

Able to be placed in either the lawn or flowerbeds, these silhouettes won’t damage your garden. They can be spread around your garden to protect all areas, and left outside in all weathers thanks to the durable powder coating. As far as maintenance goes, there isn’t any!

One thing to note is that if you have a household with young children, you may need to keep an eye on them around these scarers. The marble eyes can be removed from the scarer, and could potentially be a choking hazard.

While these silhouettes won’t be enough to deter the bravest of cats, when combined with additional repellents, these statues are very effective. Either way, they’re probably the lowest maintenance cat scarer on the market today.