Citronella and cats

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Citronella geraniums Pelargonium cv. Is citronella safe for pets? If you grow scented geraniums in the Pelargonium family, be sure to keep your dogs and cats away. Scented geraniums are toxic to pets. Citronella geraniums have deeply lobed, green leaves and small pinkish or lavender flowers that grow on multiple stems. They grow 2 to 3 feet cm. Oil of citronella, which is a naturally occurring insect repellent , is a main ingredient in many pesticides.

Citronella and cats

Paola Cuevas. Citronella is an excellent insect repellent, and its fresh citrus scent can be pleasant to have around our houses too. But many substances that we use on a daily basis can have the potential to harm our feline friends. Is citronella on that list? All citronella products should be treated with caution around cats , as many of them are dangerous for our feline friends. The citronella plant comes in two varieties: Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus. These perennial grasses are native to Asia and have been used for hundreds of years as an insect repellent. They just share a similar citrus scent. Citronella geraniums, scientific name Pelargonium cv. Citrosa, are toxic to cats , so care should be taken if you do have these in your garden. Candles and garden torches containing citronella oil are popular for warding off insects on those long summer nights when we love to eat outside. Should you be worried about using these around your cat? In any case, your cat may decide to stay away if they dislike the citrus smell.

Keep citronella products, especially candles and coils, out of the reach of your cats, and always read and follow the instructions on the labels.

You can discourage cats from coming into your garden in several ways that aren't harmful. For example, cats dislike certain smells, which means those scents are perfect to use in your plot to keep them out of your garden. It's perfectly possible to be a cat lover and keep cats from pooping in your garden. Just use these tricks! Interplant in the garden.

Paola Cuevas. Citronella is an excellent insect repellent, and its fresh citrus scent can be pleasant to have around our houses too. But many substances that we use on a daily basis can have the potential to harm our feline friends. Is citronella on that list? All citronella products should be treated with caution around cats , as many of them are dangerous for our feline friends. The citronella plant comes in two varieties: Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus. These perennial grasses are native to Asia and have been used for hundreds of years as an insect repellent. They just share a similar citrus scent. Citronella geraniums, scientific name Pelargonium cv.

Citronella and cats

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In any case, your cat may decide to stay away if they dislike the citrus smell. Water containers, ponds, or puddles in your yard are an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Subscribe Newsletter. When spraying the solution outside you will need to spray the area regularly to account for any rain or other weather that may dilute the smell of the solution over time. Citronella geraniums have deeply lobed, green leaves and small pinkish or lavender flowers that grow on multiple stems. Cats love mint, honeysuckle and catnip. Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter. You can substitute cayenne pepper for the black if you prefer. Featured Image Credit: Pixabay. Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper. Applying the Citronella Solution When it comes time to apply the citronella oil solution that you have created, the best way to do it is to spray the solution onto the area that you want to repel the cats from. Click for more info. Place a small sand box nearby. Click to Skip Ahead. Want to try your hand at growing Prince of Orange pelargoniums?

By Morris Hutton Veterinary Assistant.

However, citronella as an essential oil can still potentially poison your cat, so to be safest, keep any citronella oils away from your pets. Close the bottle securely, and shake it well to ensure that the oils are blended with the water. Alternatively, upcycle the mesh produce bags from onions or potatoes by spreading them on the garden and anchoring them with twigs. For caring, compassionate advice and resources to address all your animal concerns. Fill the bottle with water and mix well. However, while citronella candles are considered safe for people, they can be hazardous to your cat. There are several types of natural cat repellent, but one of the most popular cat repellents is citronella oil. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Cats and dogs also could experience muscle weakness, loss of muscle coordination, depression, or even hypothermia if enough of the plant is ingested. Citronella geraniums, scientific name Pelargonium cv. Add the essential oil to a spray bottle. Garlic, Pepper, and Lemon Cat Repellent 1 teaspoon 2 g black pepper 1 teaspoon 2 g dry mustard 1 teaspoon 3 g cinnamon 1 crushed garlic clove 3 to 4 drops lemon essential oil Water Combine the pepper, mustard, and cinnamon in a spray bottle.