deliver a sandpile in your backyard can be great sport for small kids , but your local felines might make love it , too . This is n’t just gross , but it can also be harmful to your kiddos . How can you keep cat out of the sandbox ? Fortunately , if your cat ( or other cats in the neighborhood ) has decided the corner is their own personal litter box , there are several ways to keep them out . strain these eight honourable and sluttish tricks to enjoy a cat - free sandbox .
1. Keep Your Cat Indoors
If it ’s your cat using the sandbox , the simplest direction to keep them out is by keeping them indoors . It might sound unimaginable , but it ’s the safest option and is advocate by humane society and feline vet .
That imply if your cat was antecedently an outdoor kat , they will demand to adjust to an indoor - only environment . you could help oneself them by providing plenty ofcat tree , shelves and perches , andtoys for play . You could even train them towalk on a leashfor control outside meter .
2. Cover the Sandbox to Keep Cats Out
If keeping your cat inside is not an option , or if other cats are using the sandbox , covering it is a simple answer . Not only does this pick keep hombre out of your sandpit , but it also keeps it free from other token that might blow in there from wind and rain .
DIY Sandbox Covers
you could make your own binding with some building supplying such as tad textile , tarps , pallets , wood , PVC , or chicken wire . The finish should be to make something that wo n’t muff away with the idle words or be easy move by brute but will still be easy for you to move on and off . If you ’re really ready to hand , you could even make a cover that ’s attractive , functional , and include seating .
Store-Bought Sandbox Covers
If you choose to buy a sandpile cover , there are many options :
3. Fence the Sandbox
A fence might be helpful in proceed cats out of your sandbox . If you choose to fence in your sandbox , you could eitherfence the areaaround the box itself or fence your entire thousand .
If you adjudicate to fence in just the area around the boxful , regard using fencing designed to berabbit proofwhich has a eminent chance ofkeeping the cats out . A more attractive option could be to apply smallgarden fencing . break away two lengths of it a few inches apart around the boxful to aid forbid Arabian tea from leap in .
Keep in psyche that fencing may not work unless you bozo - proofread the fence , as quat have been known to surmount fences . One choice for cat - proofing a fence is to usecoyote hair curler .
4. Use Scent Deterrents
Commercially - made scent deterrents for cats exist , such asBonide Natural Animal RepellentandShake aside , but their efficaciousness deviate widely . There are also many stories about menage remedies ( in the form of scent ) that repel cats .
You may desire to try one or more of these options , but be aware that success with these varies depending on the cat , as not all computed axial tomography dislike the same scents . Additionally , placing any perfumed item outdoors provide the smell ’s speciality to shoot quickly , even if you spray the area regularly .
subject matter sometimes used in an seek to dissuade cats through their odor include :
Caution : Some of these can betoxic to dogs , so be certain to search them first if there are dogs in your yard .
Does cinnamon keep cat out of sandbox ? Yes ! Sprinkle a chip around the sandpile or boil a few cinnamon sticks in pee and use it as a spray . Bonus : cinnamon helps repel pests , too .
5. Place Cat Deterrent Plants Near the Sandbox
There areplants that many cats find distastefulbecause of their scent . Try landscaping your sandpile area with these to discourage cats . Some African tea dislike the smell ofrue , lavender , rosemary , pennyroyal , and the ably named scaredy - cat flora .
6. Buy a Motion-Activated Cat Deterrent
A motion - actuate gadget designed to deter animals can scare cats by from your sandbox . There are several commercially available option , though they can be high-priced .
7. Properly Clean the Sandbox
Another important labor is to make trusted you are the right way scavenge the sandbox . guy have a sensitive sense of smell and will go where they smack traces of piss and feces . habituate especial cleanser made specifically for cat waste material . If you ’re not sure if the sandbox is clean , get ablack light flashlightand bleed it over the sandbox at Nox to look for traces .
Having cats in a sandpit canpotentially be dangerousfor anyone who handle the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . Wear disposable glove and soundly wash your hands .
8. Train Your Cat to Do Something Better
If the culprit is your own cat , you could rail them not to employ your sandbox for their corporal functions . Simply saying " no " to them and taking them out of the litter box wo n’t do much other than nettle your cat .
or else , identify an mismated behavior you want him to do alternatively of aim in the sandbox and influence on reinforcing that conduct . Examples may admit turn off from the boxwood , playing with a plaything you set up nearby , or evenencouraging them to usea litter box you put outdoors for them . Clicker trainingis a expectant elbow room to do this and can be fun for you and your cat .
Multiple Ways to Keep Cats Out of a Sandbox
With so many choice to try , one or a combination of these root is certain to help you find a way to keep cat out of your backyard sandbox . Do n’t give up hope just yet . You may have to assay several different choice before you see the one that works best for your situation .