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How can I get Rid of Cats?

Nychole Price
Nychole Price

Cats that have become separated from their owners for one reason or another are known as feral or stray cats. They can become a nuisance to neighborhoods because they breed rapidly, often having six to eight kittens at a time. Besides using your yard as a litter box, they pose a serious risk because they can spread disease to you and your pets with just a simple scratch. These animals are often scared of humans, making them likely to bite or scratch if you attempt to capture them. There are several measures you can take to get rid of cats without putting yourself at risk.

Stray cats frequent areas where they can find food. The most important step you can take in ridding your property of these unwelcome guests is to remove their source of food. Keep your garbage cans tightly covered. Just like bears, feral cats are masters at getting into trash cans when they are hungry. If you feed your pets outside, be sure to pick up their bowl when they have finished eating. Sweep up any spillage to prevent other animals from making a meal of it.

Feral cats are usually very wary of people and will seek cover. Sheds, barns and entrances under the house or patio are ideal hiding places for them. Making these areas inaccessible will deter these uninvited visitors.

Dogs and cats don't always get along.
Dogs and cats don't always get along.

If you are a dog lover, consider posting one in your yard to deter the cats. Most cats are smart enough not to go near a large canine, or even a small but loud one. Make sure that your dog is up to date on his shots so he doesn't contact any disease should he be bitten or scratched. Don't allow your dog to harm the cat, as violence is unnecessary.

Like most animals, cats have very sensitive noses. This can work in your favor when you are trying to keep them off your property. You may want to cut the ends off of large chili peppers and squeeze the oils around the perimeter of your yard. The oil will irritate the animal's nose, driving it away from your yard.

Wild cats are very determined, as their survival depends on it. If the above ideas failed to fix your problem, it may be time to hire a professional trapper. Trappers use humane and effective methods to remove the animals from your property.

Keep in mind that feral cats are wild animals and precautions should be taken when attempting to get rid of them. Never attempt to capture them yourself, as you will put yourself at risk for injury and disease.

Discussion Comments

anon331507

Try U Scram All Natural Cat and Chipmunk Repellent. We've had great success with this product. It really got rid of the cats in our garden.

anon282095

I have several feral cats around my house. I live in the country and can't keep them away. I have spent several dollars on chickens, just to be killed by the cats. No one claims them and I want them gone. I don't want to put the chickens in a fenced in area because the cats can still get to them and kill the chickens. We don't have a humane society or animal control. I want them gone so I won't have to worry anymore.

anon271919

We have 14 of them running free. No one claims ownership and they just keep breeding. The county Animal Control will not pick them up: they only deal with dogs! Woe is me. --Frustrated in SC.

anon160945

Well, I have a small dog that we have to keep locked up inside because every time we try to enjoy our fenced in yard, she gets into cat poop. They come from the neighbours to dump their waste in our yard. We can't sit in our garden area, patio or elsewhere due to the overwhelming smell of spray on everything! Help!

anon160842

I totally agree with anon140788. I am sick and fed up of cleaning up other people's cats' poo before i can let my daughter out to play in the garden. If it was someone with a dog they would be fined! I have been told fresh fish dipped in antifreeze will get rid of them permanently, but would like to try something a bit more humane first.

anon140788

Are you kidding? most cats mind their own business? really? so you must be a cat owner. Well your flower garden must be nice: cat poop and smell free because they go to the bathroom in everyone else's yard. Cat owners who let their cats roam free are very irresponsible neighbours.

anon105365

Most cats mind their own business. If there are rats or such pests cats will get them. This is your environment friendly pest exterminator. Why would anyone want to get rid of them? --Danny

cmsmith10

Don't leave any food outside where a cat can smell it. They are natural hunters and they will follow the smell. Try to keep your garbage contained. If the cat is tame, you can catch it and put it in a cage and call your local humane society. If it is a wild cat, I would not suggest trying to catch it. You should call animal control and let them handle it. They can catch the cat without doing harm to themselves or the cat.

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    • Dogs and cats don't always get along.
      By: Willee Cole
      Dogs and cats don't always get along.
    • Cats can be beneficial in an animal therapy setting.
      By: Monkey Business
      Cats can be beneficial in an animal therapy setting.
    • Garbage that is not properly stored may attract stray cats.
      By: Aleksandr Volkov
      Garbage that is not properly stored may attract stray cats.
    • Stray cats have the potential to spread disease with just a simple scratch.
      By: Julija Sapic
      Stray cats have the potential to spread disease with just a simple scratch.
    • Feral cats are wild animals and precautions should be taken when attempting to get rid of them.
      By: Sarah Fields
      Feral cats are wild animals and precautions should be taken when attempting to get rid of them.
    • Cats can reproduce quickly by having six to eight kittens at a time.
      By: 2002lubava1981
      Cats can reproduce quickly by having six to eight kittens at a time.