Gardeners say the animals hate one particular smell
Sophie Harris and Ellen Jenne Senior U35 Spare Time Writer
10:38, 02 Apr 2026
Cats, foxes and rats can be a nuisance in the garden, but there are ways to deter them safely without harming them using a simple 39p solution(Image: Steve Midgley via Getty Images)
Cats can be troublesome in the garden, particularly when they disturb soil, harm plants, or utilise the space as a lavatory. Nevertheless, they are inherently free-roaming creatures who utilise neighbouring gardens as a toilet.
Similar to foxes and rats, it’s impossible to exclude them entirely, but there are methods to discourage them safely. Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, an anonymous user enquired how to deter cats from the garden, reports the Express.
The anonymous post stated: “A cat has taken to using the stones in my garden as a toilet. I hate this. It stinks. Is there anything you can suggest that I can put on it? The cat seems to be oblivious to any hack I’ve tried.”
Caroline Reynolds remarked: “White vinegar. Cats, rats and foxes dislike the smell. It won’t hurt them, it’ll just keep them away. I have a spray bottle and spray the garden a couple of times a week.”
Cats will often venture into neighbouring gardens(Image: Getty)
An anonymous user noted: “White vinegar! Spray the area in the morning and at night for the first few days, then just once a day. They’ll stop using it as a toilet; they hate the smell.”
White vinegar functions as a straightforward, natural cat deterrent because cats intensely dislike its sharp, acidic scent. Felines’ sense of smell is remarkably sensitive, so it’s believed that they can detect vinegar from quite a distance.
As well as spraying the garden to protect plants, you can also saturate rags or cloths in a diluted vinegar solution and position them in problem areas. White vinegar can be bought for as little as 39p a bottle and utilised for numerous tasks around the house and in the garden.
Ensure you keep it away from the lawn or neighbouring plants, as it will destroy them. However, it can be employed to eliminate weeds.
The natural ingredient will also prove effective at deterring other animals from your garden. This includes foxes, rats and even mosquitoes during the summer months.
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