Even though I love cats, I can’t bear paw prints or scratches on my car. When I used to go for a jog in the morning, I often found a stray cat peacefully sleeping on my car roof. I don’t want to disturb her, but it is frustrating to discover scratches and marks on the paint afterward.
If you’re also facing this problem, don’t worry, I’m here to help you. After digging through countless resources, I found some effective ways to keep cats off your car and stop them from endangering themselves by climbing into the car’s engine.
Continue reading the article to reveal the list of solutions to avoid scratch damage from any cats without hurting them.
Is it Dangerous When a Cat Gets on or Under a Car?
Before revealing the solutions, let’s find out whether it is dangerous when a cat gets on or under a car.
Yes, it is extremely dangerous when a cat gets friendly with a car. Surprisingly, the danger is not for the vehicle; it is for the car. During the winter season, cats often seek shelter under car hoods for warmth, but this poses a severe risk.
When the cat is under the hood and you start the engine, the sudden roar of the engine can startle the cat, causing it to fall into moving parts like the fan belt, resulting in amputations or fatalities.
Even if the cat survives the initial start-up, it may fall off the moving vehicle and sustain severe injuries.
10 Ways to Keep Cats Off Your Car
Here are some effective and harmless ways to keep cats off your car.
1. Use a Cat Repellent Spray
One of the most effective ways to keep cats off your car is to use a cat repellent spray. You have to spray on the ground around your vehicle. If cats continue to sit on your car, you can spray around the edges of your vehicle, on the tires, and on the bumper.
You have to keep spraying the repellent weekly to keep the cats away. Make sure to use an all-natural cat repellent spray, as it shouldn’t harm the cat and your car’s paint. Repellent sprays are designed to smell bad to cats, keep them away, not to kill them.
If you prefer, you can also make your own repellent spray at home. Fill a spray bottle with 200 ml of water and mix in 20 drops of citronella oil. Shake it well, and a cat repellent spray is ready to use.
Instead of citronella oil, you can use other essential oils, including lavender, peppermint, or orange. Experiment with different repellent sprays until you find one that works best.
2. Use a Cat Repellent Powder
No, you don’t have to sprinkle a repellent powder on cats. It works just like a spray; sprinkle it around your car, over the hood and body. Just like the spray, make sure to use an organic and chemical-free cat repellent powder as it is safe for your car’s paint, cats, and children.
Remember that the repellent powder is more easily blown away. So, keep sprinkling it weekly to ensure it keeps working.
3. Spray White Vinegar Around Your Car
You can also spray white vinegar in a circle around your car to keep the cats away. There is no need to spray it on the vehicle, as cats avoid an area when they catch the scent of white vinegar.
You can use straight, full-strength vinegar or diluted vinegar. If you want to use diluted vinegar, you can spray it directly onto your car. Reapply the vinegar every few days to ensure it keeps working.
But remember that white vinegar will not be harmful when applied in small amounts.
4. Leave a Few Orange Peels Around Your Car
You can scatter a few orange peels around your vehicle on the ground. Cats dislike the scent of citrus and won’t roam around your car.
It is one of the best natural ways to keep cats off your car. If you put the orange peels on your car, the acidity of the orange can damage your car’s paint.
5. Use Cayenne Pepper
Another natural way to keep cats off your car is sprinkling cayenne pepper in a circle around the vehicle. Cats don’t like the pepper and will soon leave. You can use this method every week as it is completely natural without being smelly.
If the amount of pepper is not enough to keep cats off the car, increase the amount to drive them away again.
6. Use Dried Herbs
If you’re looking for something inside your house that can help you keep cats off your car, dried herbs are the answer.
Cats don’t like the smell of dried herbs. You can sprinkle dried herbs of your choice over the hood of your car or around your vehicle. Try experimenting with different herbs to find one that works best.
You can also use a mixture of different herbs. First, start sprinkling a small amount of herbs and increase it if the cats continue to sit on your car. Dried herbs are used like powder so that the wind can blow them off.
Therefore, make sure to reapply the herbs whenever they get blown away.
7. Use Motion-Controlled Sprinklers
Just hook a motion-controlled sprinkler up to your hose and point it at your car. Whenever the sprinkler detects the motion of a cat, it’ll start spraying a big arc of water to scare off the cat.
A sprinkler is built specifically to deter feline pests. Once cats learn that they’ll get splashed every time they get in touch with your car, they’ll stop coming near it. Remember that your car will get wet due to the sprinkler, so roll up your windows beforehand.
8. Install an Ultrasonic Repellent
Install an ultrasonic cat repellent device within the range of your vehicle. Whenever this device senses the motion of a cat or any other animal, it’ll emit a high-pitched sound that will cause the feline to run off without harming them.
Cats hate the sounds coming from the ultrasonic repellent device. The best thing is that these devices will not only protect your car from cats, but also from rodents and other pests.
9. Clear any Food Scraps Away From Your Car
Last night, you went for a night drive with your friend and had lunch in your car. You left behind some food wrappers or stray snacks inside your vehicle. Cats will be attracted to the smell of the food.
So, immediately remove all the food and wrappers from your car, so that cats won’t smell food anymore and stay away from your vehicle.
10. Cover Up Your Car or Park It in a Different Spot
If you’re a cat lover and don’t want to scare them with any of the above methods, you can cover your car or park it in a different spot. Using a car cover will stop the cat from leaving paw prints or scratches on the vehicle.
You just have to place the cover every night before you go to bed. However, car covers might be a little expensive, but they’re worth the investment. If you don’t want to invest in car covers, you can simply park your car in a different location.
You can park your car in the shadiest spot because sometimes cats sit on the car hoods so they can sunbathe, so if there’s no sun, they won’t be interested.
Avoid These Harmful Methods of Keeping Cats Off the Car
When it comes to keeping cats off your car, make sure to avoid using harmful methods to protect both your vehicle and the cat. Here are a few approaches you should avoid at all costs.
- Some people use mothballs or other strong chemicals to repel cats. While these substances may keep cats away from your car, they can cause serious harm to the furry animals. It can also damage your car’s paint and create health hazards for everyone who sits in your vehicle.
- You also can’t use aggressive actions, like shouting, spraying water, or chasing to shoo a cat off your car. These actions can injure the cat and create fear inside them. Sometimes they can even scratch your car in panic.
- Sometimes, people put a spiked mat on their car to stop cats or any other animals from sitting on their vehicles. You don’t need to use this method, as this puts the animals’ safety at serious risk. It can even land you in legal trouble, as many regions have strict animal protection laws.
How to Stop Your Own Pet Cat From Scratching on Your Car?
If you own a cat, you can’t use the above methods to keep it away from your car. You don’t have to worry; there are also some pet-friendly ways to stop your pet from ruining your vehicle.
- Train Your Cat: One of the most effective ways is to train your pet cat to sit somewhere else. You just have to create a new sunbathing spot. Now, train your cat to sit there by rewarding them with treats.
- Trim the Nails: If you can’t stop your cat from coming near your vehicle, you can trim their nails to stop them from scratching. You can trim their nails every 2 to 3 weeks using a feline nail clipper.
Bonus Tip: How to Check for Cats Hiding in Your Car’s Engine or Tires?
You can follow these tips to check for cats or any other animals hiding in your car’s engine or tires.
- Before starting the engine, you can bang on the hood of your car or honk your horn to wake up any sleeping cats inside your vehicle. Wait a bit to give them time to escape.
- Check the tires for any hiding or sleeping cats.
- You can also use a safe engine bay repellent to stop cats from going near your car. These scents are harmless but unpleasant to cats, encouraging them to stay away without causing harm.
- If you’re living in an area where there are a lot of cats, consider installing a mesh or specialized engine cover under your hood. These covers will almost make it impossible for the cats to climb inside the car’s engine.
Wrapping Up
Cats are adorable companions, so the paw prints or scratches made by them on cars are completely unintentional. You can follow some simple but effective ways mentioned above in the article to keep them away without harming them.
Make sure to only focus on safe methods to keep both your car and cat safe. Remember, animals like cats are not internationally harming your vehicle; they’re just seeking warmth, comfort, and safety.
Lastly, don’t rely on just one strategy. You can experiment with different techniques to find out what works best for you. If you don’t want to use any repellent spray or any other chemical thing to repel cats, simply cover your car with a sheet or park it somewhere else where you notice no stray animals.
Sources: wikiHow, Miami Herald, Catster
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Do Cats Like Sitting On Cars?
During winter season, cats often get under the car hood for warmth. They may also find car roofs a safe and quiet place to rest.
2. Can Cats Damage My Car?
Cats can’t damage your car operationally. But they can leave paw prints or scratches.
3. What Smells Keep Cats Away From Cars?
Cats dislike strong citrus scents, vinegar, coffee grounds, dried herbs, and certain essential oils like lavender or peppermint.
4. Is It Safe to Use Chemical Cat Repellents On My Car?
Yes, you can use chemical cat repellents, but make sure to choose only without harsh chemicals.
5. Will Covering My Car Keep Cats Away?
Yes, a car cover is one of the most safest solutions both for your car and cats. It not only prevents scratches but also keeps cats from feeling comfortable enough to rest on your car.
6. Do Motion-Activated Devices Work to Keep Cats Off Cars?
Motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic devices, or lights can deter cats effectively without harming them.
7. Can Parking Location Help Reduce Cats on Cars?
Yes, parking inside a garage or under a covered area reduces the chances of cats climbing on your car.
