Citronella and cats

You can discourage cats from coming into your garden in several ways that aren't harmful.

Cat's can cause issues if they are hanging out where they don't belong. Because of this, many people look for types of cat repellent. While there are many products out on the market that claim to repel cats, not all of them are safe and nontoxic. There are several types of natural cat repellent, but one of the most popular cat repellents is citronella oil. Citronella oil is a strong smelling oil that is usually thought of only as a repellent for mosquitoes , but there are several other uses for citronella oil, one of which is repelling cats from places that they don't belong. Citronella is a natural substance that originally comes from Sri Lanka. It is believed that the strong smell of this oil is what will keep the cats out of the areas that you don't want them to be in.

Citronella and cats

Citronella geraniums Pelargonium cv. Is citronella safe for pets? If you grow scented geraniums in the Pelargonium family, be sure to keep your dogs and cats away. Scented geraniums are toxic to pets. Citronella geraniums have deeply lobed, green leaves and small pinkish or lavender flowers that grow on multiple stems. They grow 2 to 3 feet cm. Oil of citronella, which is a naturally occurring insect repellent , is a main ingredient in many pesticides. Many people plant the geranium in containers on the patio or places where people congregate, hoping to repel mosquitoes. It is important to keep the containers away from curious cats and dogs who might decide to taste the plant, especially if you grow them indoors where your pets are. Dogs or cats who rub up against the plants may experience dermatitis-- a skin irritation or rash. Cats and dogs also could experience muscle weakness, loss of muscle coordination, depression, or even hypothermia if enough of the plant is ingested. Cats are most susceptible. If you suspect your dog or cat ingested a toxic substance or it shows any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian right away.

If ingested, citronella candles, insect coils and oils can result in digestive distress. Our Sponsors. It dcd777b be tempting to cut them back during your spring cleanup, but you may be sacrificing flowers.

These bloodsuckers can easily ruin a beautiful night outside on a patio or catio or a nice walk with your pooch. Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance — they can spread harmful diseases like West Nile virus and Heartworm to your pets. Together, these two preventatives are incredibly effective at protecting your pup or outdoor cat. Most flea and tick preventives have an ingredient to repel mosquitoes — before they bite. And Heartworm preventatives work by killing Heartworm larvae before they can become adult worms if your pet does become infected. The bite of just one infected mosquito is enough to spread disease, so Animal Humane Society recommends giving your dog or outdoor cat preventatives year-round, to protect them against infection.

By Morris Hutton Veterinary Assistant. February 24, The information mentioned here has been fact checked and reviewed by experts to provide you original and accurate content. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more. Wondering is citronella safe for cats? Or if citronella is toxic to cats? Citronella products can be used to prevent kitty from mosquitoes?

Citronella and cats

Paola Cuevas. Citronella is an excellent insect repellent, and its fresh citrus scent can be pleasant to have around our houses too. But many substances that we use on a daily basis can have the potential to harm our feline friends.

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For caring, compassionate advice and resources to address all your animal concerns. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster. Richardson notes that even when a product is labeled "natural" it can still be dangerous if misused. Then again, this may cause the cat to start sneezing violently, which make us feel a bit guilty. Search for: Search. Our Vet Explains Answered by Dr. Cats are guaranteed to stay away from those particular spots. Tap water will work well for the repellent. Scented geraniums are toxic to pets. Cats are more sensitive to scents than humans, so essential oils with strong odors, such as citrus and lavender, can help repel them. Interplant in the garden. Both are actually completely different species, and only one is the true citronella. Learn more. Keep them covered or cleaned as best you can. Why Citronella Oil Works Cats have an extremely strong sense of smell and because of that they tend to stay away from areas where there are strong scents that are off-putting to them.

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Or you could make your own: Pepper Cat Repellent Combine 1 tsp of black pepper, dry mustard and cinnamon in a spray bottle with a few drops of citrus essential oil and a crushed garlic clove. Our Vet Explains. While geranium plants are toxic to dogs and cats, the oil is safe. It also has other medicinal properties and has been used as:. These perennial grasses are native to Asia and have been used for hundreds of years as an insect repellent. Cats and dogs also could experience muscle weakness, loss of muscle coordination, depression, or even hypothermia if enough of the plant is ingested. Like citrus and other essential oils, citronella oil has an extremely strong odour that repels cats. Image Credit: rawf8, Shutterstock. Learn how in this article. Citronella is a natural substance that originally comes from Sri Lanka. Apply to your garden beds. Wash well to deter garden cats. Using a cat's own senses against them is why using citronella oil as a cat deterrent works.