Sandbox time is a nostalgic part of childhood, but unwelcome feline visitors can turn that joy into frustration by using the sandbox, potentially exposing children to toxoplasmosis.
But don’t worry if cats are using your sandbox as the litterbox, as here’s a detailed guide on keeping cats out of your sandbox.
Physical Barriers To Keep Cats Off Sandbox
One effective solution to deter cats from entering your sandbox area is to put physical barriers around it. Here’s what you can do.
Sandbox Cover
Like us cats love sandboxes and take them as their litterbox. The simplest solution is a well-fitting sandbox cover. Most commercially available sandboxes have covers designed to keep out rain, animals, and debris, including preventing cats from spending time in your sandbox, thereby safeguarding against toxoplasmosis.
If yours doesn’t, consider purchasing a separate cover of weatherproof material like canvas or plastic.
You can create your own cover using plywood, latticework, or even shade cloth. Ensure the cover is lightweight enough for adults to remove it easily but sturdy enough to deter curious cats and keep rain out.
Fencing To Deter Cats
You can go for commercial as well as DIY fences around the sandbox perimeter. This should deter cats and other wild animals from using the sandbox.
You can also use chicken wire instead of fences. But whatever you plan as a fence, make sure the fence is high enough to discourage the cats from jumping in the place. Remember to keep a gate for your children to enter the area!
Ensure you store the sandbox cover or fencing conveniently for easy access.
Soon after the playtime you should quickly cover the sandbox. This will lesser the risk of the feline visitors ruing your fun.
Deterrents For Cats
Cats have a powerful sense of smell, so some smells can be repulsive to them. However, when using cat deterrents, you should always prioritize the safety of children and pets.
Avoid harsh chemicals or anything potentially harmful if ingested. Here are some natural deterrents: options that ensure cats use designated areas and not kids’ play zones.
Citrus Peels
Scatter fresh orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels around the sandbox perimeter. The strong aroma of citrus peels should deter the cats away. However, peels dry out quickly, so replace them frequently.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is often used to deter cats. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to create a solution to keeping cats away from the sandbox. Lightly mist the sandbox perimeter with the solution to keep cats away. Vinegar’s scent can fade away with the passage of time or if there is rain, so reapply frequent and as needed.
Be cautious not to saturate the sand with the deterrents as they can be harmful to your children playing in the sandbox as well.
Coffee Grounds
The coffee grounds can be another natural, effective cat deterrent to protect your sandbox.
Cats usually dislike the strong aroma of coffee. So, you can mix some coffee grounds in the sand and also sprinkle some around the sandbox area to deter the felines away.
The strong fragrance of used coffee grounds should keep them away from the sandbox.
Spicy Scatters
Cats dislike several strong spices, especially pepper. So, you can make a DIY repellent by mixing a teaspoon of cayenne or pepper with water. They use a spray bottle and spray the concentration around the sandbox area.
Don’t mix those with the sand, as that can hurt your children. You should also not spray them directly on the cats as these can be harmful for them if comes into direct contact.
Focus on the entry points or areas where cats frequent. Do not spray them on the plants in your garden, as this can harm them.
Ammonia—Though not ideal, you can use ammonia to deter cats and keep them away from the sandbox. Cats dislike the strong smell of ammonia. So, you can mix some with water and then spray it around the sandbox area to protect it from unnecessary feline visits.
Do not use it in large quantities or directly on cats, as this might harm them. Be humane and use it wisely to ensure the safety of innocent animals.
Bitter Apple – Bitter Apple is another deterrent to repel cats.
You can use bitter apple spray around the targetted area. Bitter apples are non-toxic and also discourage chewing or scratching. The bitter taste deters cats from targeting specific objects or surfaces.
Regularly using these deterrents will help keep your garden unappealing to feline visitors, especially those considering defecating in the sandbox. Consider combining these methods with other deterrents mentioned earlier in the guide for best results. Make sure to use the solutions soon after a rain and at frequent intervals to keep cats out of the sandbox.
Motion Activated Sprinklers To Keep Away Cats
Motion-activated sprinklers can be a good deterrent for cats approaching the sandbox. But make sure you use them cautiously, as they can startle your kids.
These sprinklers surprise the visitors with a sudden spray of water. As cats dislike water, they will avoid the place for fear of getting drenched. You can also use some deterrents along with water to keep the felines away.
Use Obstructions
Another good option to deter cats from the sandbox is to place obstructions around the perimeter. You can keep rocks or thorny plants to make it less appealing for the cats to enter.
They have sensitive paws and all these should deter them from further visiting the place. You can also try using cat repellents and water sprinklers near the sandbox to discourage them from coming nearby. This should stop cats from using the sandbox as their litter box.
It is important to balance protecting the sandbox from cats and ensuring the safety and comfort of young children playing in the area.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices offer a humane and chemical-free way to keep cats out of the sandbox, deterring unwelcome feline visitors from your yard or garden. These devices emit high-frequency sound waves that cats can hear and seem unpleasant to them but inaudible to humans.
Here is how you can use ultrasonic deterrents to keep cats off your sandbox area:
1. Choose the Right Device
Consider the size of the area you want to protect using the ultrasonic device. If it is too large, you may need multiple devices.
Ultrasonic deterrents are either battery-powered or come in plug-in options. So, it would help if you chose the area for installation based on your needs and the device’s location.
You should also make sure that the device you chose is weatherproof, as the sandboxes are kept mostly outdoors.
2. Strategic Placement
You should strategically place the device in the area near the sandbox for better effectiveness.
Position the device strategically to cover the area you want to protect. Ensure there is no obstacles like walls or furniture to block the sound waves from reaching the desired zone.
So, you should focus on areas where cats typically enter your yard, like the entrance gates, fences, or walkways.
3. Use the Device Effectively
It may take some time for cats to associate the ultrasonic sounds with an unpleasant experience and avoid the area, which is crucial to keep them from spending time in your sandbox.
For best results, you can also use ultrasonic devices in combination with other deterrents like natural cat repellents, and physical barriers like fences or chicken wires or water sprinklers.
Now you need to observe the activity of the felines and then decide which measure is effective for you.
Repellent Plants
You can also plant certain plants that cats dislike. Besides detecting cats they will also enhance the beauty of your garden. Some of these plants are discussed below:
Lavender – Lavender boasts beautiful purple flowers and a strong aroma that cats find uncomfortable and less appealing so they avoid them.
Lemongrass – Cat’s hate citrusy smells. So, they are not fond of lemongrass.
Rue – While effective, rue or Ruta graveolens can be harmful if ingested in large quantities and should be planted wisely to deter cats from spending time in your sandbox. Plant it with caution and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Addressing the Root of the Problem While Deterring Cats
If you have a pet cat, keeping it indoors is the most effective way to prevent it from using the sandbox. Provide it a cat litter box, scratching post, and plenty of toys to keep the pets entertained, ensuring it stays away from kids playing in the outdoor sandbox, thus offering a solution to keeping cats away from the sandbox.
If you have outdoor cats, creating a designated litter box outside the sandbox zone can help prevent cat feces in play areas. Fill it with cat-friendly litter and keep it clean to encourage proper litter box usage.
Wrapping Up
If your cat shows interest in the sandbox, distract them with a toy or redirect them to a scratching post to keep them away from the sandbox. Reward them with praise or treats for using appropriate scratching surfaces.
The more consistently you employ these methods, including removing existing cat feces, the less likely your sandbox will become a target for feline visitors.
So, follow these easy tips and ensure a safe and enjoyable sandbox experience for your children.
