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!
Keep in mind that powder is more easily blown away. Re-apply it weekly and after there’s wind and rainy weather.
Herbs are also inexpensive and easy to use, but like powder, they can be blown off by winds. Be sure to re-apply the herbs whenever they get blown off your car!
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.
If you dilute the vinegar with water, you can also spray it directly onto your car. White vinegar isn’t harmful when applied in small amounts!
Don’t put the orange peels directly on your car; the acidity of the orange can damage your car’s paint.
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!
Keep in mind that your car will get wet in the process, so roll up your windows beforehand and avoid walking in front of the sprinkler (or you might get sprayed too).
Car covers can also be a little expensive, but they’re worth the investment as they protect your car from cats and lousy weather.
Clean up your driveway and yard to ensure the cat isn’t attracted to food scraps falling from your trash.
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.
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.
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. "
