How do I cat-proof my car?

Having a cat around your house comes with a couple of benefits, however, there are some cases where they can do more harm than good. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them, a cat walking all over your car can damage it. They can leave paw prints, paint scratches, and can even leave tarp tears on your car covers. They can also even get trapped in your engine bay which can either lead to their death or some expensive repairs in your future.

That being said, there are a few simple ways you can keep cats away from your vehicle without harming them.

One of the first few things you can do to make sure cats stay away from your vehicle is to use an all-natural cat repellent. You can spray this all over your car to help prevent these felines from staying near your car. Do note that you have to go with a spray that is friendly to the paint of your car so that you don’t end up damaging your vehicle. It is best to apply this spray at night or right before your sleep.

While this is technically a derivative of the cat repellent spray, they work in much the same way. Make sure you get something that is organic and chemical-free but will also be safe to use around children, plants, and other household pets you want around your car. These powders are inexpensive and can easily be applied to your car. Do note, however, that the powder can be blown off by the win so you may have to reapply it every so often. 

Another natural and safe way to keep cats at bay is with the use of dry herbs. You can sprinkle herbs such as rue, rosemary, or lavender around your vehicle or places you think cats would likely stay in. You may have to do some trial and error to see which herb works the best for the cats in your car. It is best to start with a small amount and then start increasing it if the cat or cats remain near or on your vehicle. One downside is that just like powder, herbs can easily be blown off by the wind. 

This is one of the more expensive options if you don’t want cats around your car. You can buy an electronic repellent that will sense motion and activate if it detects that a cat or any other animal is near it. The ultrasonic emitter will then sound out a high-pitched sound that is inaudible to the human ear but can be heard by cats. This will cause them to run off and stay away from the area. Do note that these devices can be on the expensive side.

If you park your car outside or near your lawn, then another great alternative albeit possibly an expensive one is to use motion-controlled water sprinklers. These will have the initial purpose of watering your lawn, but they can also act as a line of defense to keep cats away from your car. Make sure that your car is covered and that all of the windows are up before you activate these devices. This will ensure that your car doesn’t get wet while still keeping the cats at bay. 

As an additional measure that can be paired with the rest of the methods mentioned above, you can also use a car cover. This will keep the cats from damaging your car’s paint, but will not necessarily keep them away from the undercarriage or engine bay. While this may seem like an expensive investment it can also be used for other things such as protecting your car from the rain or the harsh sun. either way, it's a good multi-use investment. 

As a final tip to help you keep away the cats, it's always a good idea to make sure that your trash isn't near your vehicle. Food scraps can easily attract cats and other animals to your home, as such make sure that your trashcans are a good distance away from your car.