Does Cayenne Pepper Keep Cats Out of the Garden?

Cayenne pepper is a versatile spice that not only adds a little extra kick to food but has medicinal properties as well. And it has another use, too--repelling cats who are determined to dig in your garden.

  1. Pungent Odor

    • Sprinkled on the soil, cayenne pepper has an odor that is unappealing to some cats. To repel cats, it must be reapplied often.

    Mixed with Mustard

    • A mixture of two parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour creates an even more pungent smell that can repel cats. This deterrent, too, must be reapplied often.

    Painful for Paws

    • Cayenne pepper can burn cats' feet when they walk in it. It can also hurt their eyes if they wash their faces when they have cayenne pepper on their paws.

    Every Cat is Different

    • While some cats will be repelled by cayenne pepper, others won't even notice it's there.

    Other Natural Repellants

    • If cayenne pepper fails to discourage the cats, planting citronella, lavender, rosemary or chives might keep them away. They work best if interspersed among the other plants in your garden. Rue will also repel cats, but it's toxic to people if ingested and can cause skin irritation if touched. Use it with caution.

    The Scardy Cat Plant

    • Coleus canina, also known as Scardy Cat Plant, has a strong smell that repels cats and other animals. The National Gardening Association suggests spacing the plants about 3 feet apart to create a hedge around gardens, sandboxes and other areas where cats are unwelcome.