How to Keep a Stray Cat From Spraying My House

No one likes inhaling the pungent smell of cat urine. Cats usually spray surfaces--by emitting a stream of urine--for territorial reasons, but they also tend to spray when they're ready to mate or are experiencing extreme stress or fear. Learning a few ways to keep stray cats from spraying your house is essential if you want to live in a fresh, urine-free environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Coffee grounds
  • Orange peels
  • Brand-name cat repellent
  • Plants
  • Motion-activated sprinklers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place coffee grounds and orange peels along all sides of your house. If natural cat repellents don't work, use a proven brand of cat repellent around your home, as directed on the package.

    • 2

      Surround your home with strong-scented plants, such as marigolds. Plant the marigolds as close to your home as possible to help ensure that stray cats don't come anywhere near your house.

    • 3
      Keeping your cat indoors helps to keep stray cats from entering your yard.

      Keep your cats inside. Stray cats, especially males, tend to spray around homes where other cats have been outside.

    • 4

      Install motion-activated sprinklers, because cats hate water and are easily startled. Motion-activated sprinklers are usually inexpensive.

    • 5
      Spaying or neutering a cat is a surefire way to reduce spraying.

      Capture the stray cat, and get it neutered or spayed. According to the Solano Feral Cat Group, spaying or neutering a feral cat will reduce spraying. Be aware that spaying or neutering a stray cat is not a 100-percent guarantee the cat will quit spraying.