Even if you're a total cat-lover, waking up to find paw prints or scratches on your car can be pretty frustrating. Whether the perpetrator is your cat, a neighborhood kitty, or a stray, there are plenty of effective and humane ways to keep cats off your car and stop them from endangering themselves by climbing into the car's engine. Read on for a complete list of solutions to deter cats without hurting them and minimize scratch damage from any cats that slip past your defenses.

Things You Should Know

1

Use cat repellent spray.

  1. Cat repellent spray is designed to smell bad to cats, keeping them away. Pick an all-natural cat repellent spray, and start by spraying the ground around your car.[1] If the cat continues to sit on your car, spray around the edges of the car, on the bumper, and on other non-corrosive areas. Re-apply the repellent weekly to keep the cats away.
    • An all-natural repellent shouldn’t hurt your car’s paint, but it’s best to spot-test on an inconspicuous part of your car before you spray a repellent on painted areas.
    • Make your own repellent spray if you prefer. Fill a spray bottle with 200 millilitres (6.8  fl oz) of water and mix in 20 drops of citronella oil. Shake it well and spray the repellent around your car and on the tires, but not painted areas.
    • You can also use other essential oils for this homemade spray, including lavender, peppermint, or orange. Experiment with different essential oils until you find one that works best!
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4

Use cayenne pepper as a repellent.

  1. Cayenne pepper has a long track record of keeping cats away. Sprinkle the cayenne pepper in a circle around your car—no need to apply any directly onto the vehicle. It might take a couple of days before things change, but cats don't like the pepper and will soon leave. Plus, cayenne pepper is completely natural without being smelly, so you won't have to think about it between applications.[4]
    • Re-apply the cayenne pepper every week and keep using it, even after it seems like the cats have left.
    • If the cats return, increase the amount of pepper you sprinkle around your car to drive them away again.
5

Spritz white vinegar around the car.

7

Install an ultrasonic repellent.

  1. Ultrasonic devices make sounds that cats don't like but you can't hear. Pick up an ultrasonic cat repeller (they're typically quite affordable) and set it up within range of your car according to the packaging. When the electronic repellent senses motion, it'll emit a high-pitched sound that will cause the feline to run off—with no harm done to the cat or your car.[7]
    • An ultrasonic repellent can protect your car from rodents and other pests since it's motion-activated.
    • In a pinch, activate your car alarm; the loud noise will make a cat run away. Just be careful about activating it when other people are sleeping if you have neighbors!
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9

Cover up your car while it's parked.

  1. A cover can protect your car's paintwork from cat claws. You don't necessarily have to scare the cat away if you don't mind them sleeping on your car. Instead, use a car cover to stop the cat from leaving paw prints or scratches on the vehicle; just place the cover over your car every night before you go to bed. Car covers are safe options that won't scare or harm the cat—a helpful alternative to repellent.[9]
    • Car covers can also be a little expensive, but they're worth the investment as they protect your car from cats and lousy weather.
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11

Trim the cat's nails.

  1. When the cat's nails are kept short, they can't scratch your car. If the cat in question belongs to you, trim their nails every 2 to 3 weeks using feline nail clippers.[11] You'll minimize the damage your cat can do without scaring them or changing their outdoor routine. If the cat isn't yours, talk to their owner about trimming their nails.
    • Trimming isn't the same as de-clawing a cat. De-clawing isn't recommended because it's painful for the cat and considered inhumane; outdoor cats need their claws for hunting and protection.
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12

Train your cat to sit somewhere else.

  1. Create a new sunbathing spot and reward cats with treats for using it. Coax the cat away from your car by setting up a sandbox or an outdoor cat tree for sunbathing. Then, train your cat to sit there by rewarding them with treats when they sit on the tree or perch. In time, the cat will learn that the perch you’ve given them is the best option.[12]
    • Training your cat requires you to be outside watching them for at least some time. If you don't have time for that, consider a different option.
13

Discuss a solution with your neighbor.

  1. Politely ask if they can trim the cat's nails or keep it indoors more often. If the cat doesn't belong to you, talk to their owner. Explain the problem politely, let your neighbor know that you'd like to find a solution together, and offer a few ideas, such as keeping the cat's claws trimmed or keeping them indoors at night. Manage the conflict collaboratively; if you get angry, they might get defensive and refuse to help.[13]
    • If you'd like your neighbor to trim their cat's claws, say something like, "I know it's not your fault that Willow likes to sit on my car, but she's damaging the paint with her scratches. Would you be open to cutting her nails?"
    • If you want the cat to be kept indoors, try, "I know you can't control exactly where he goes, but I was wondering if you'd be willing to restrict Milo to your backyard or keep him indoors at night. He's been damaging the paint on my car."
    • To clarify that you're willing to work with them, add, "If you have any other solutions, I'd be willing to discuss those as well."
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What is the most effective cat repellent?
    Jessica Char
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Expert Answer
    If your pets aren't in the area, but you're trying to deter wildlife or outdoor cats, you can get a motion activated sprinkler that goes off when something enters your yard. Something like that can also help deter those unwanted visitors in your garage.
  • Question
    How do I stop my cat from jumping on my car?
    Jessica Char
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
    Jessica Char
    Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Understand that cats like being in high places. Try to understand what your cat gets from this experience and help him get it from another place. You could also add something uncomfortable to keep him out of the car hood.
  • Question
    How do I keep cat off the soft top roof of my car?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Cats don't like the smell of citrus. You can make a homemade spray of water and orange essential oil and spritz the top of your car at the end of the day. You can buy sprays too, but they're basically the same thing, just more expensive.
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Warnings

  • Many people resort to mothballs as a cat repellant since cats don't like the smell. However, mothball fumes are toxic to cats (and humans), so using them isn't recommended. Mothballs are only supposed to be used in airtight spaces like a garment bag, where nobody can breathe their fumes.[14]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Jessica Char
Co-authored by:
Cat & Dog Behavior Consultant
This article was co-authored by Jessica Char and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Jessica Char is a Cat and Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and the Founder of Feline Engineering and Canine Engineering. She specializes in modifying challenging pet behavior problems, such as fear and aggression, using positive reinforcement training protocols. Jessica is a Certified Fear Free Trainer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She is also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Jessica received her BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. This article has been viewed 185,200 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: October 31, 2022
Views: 185,200
Categories: Repelling Cats
Article SummaryX

To keep cats off your car, mix peppermint or orange essential oil with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture around your car, or soak cotton balls in the mixture and put them around it. You can also try sprinkling dry rosemary or lavender around, since cats don't like these smells either. Alternatively, buy and use an all-natural cat repellent spray, which won’t damage paint, or a cat-repellent powder. Just be aware that dry herbs or powders can blow away, so you may be better off using a homemade or store-bought spray. To learn how to prevent cats from scratching your car, read on!

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