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Cats And Coffee: Do Coffee Grounds Keep Cats Away?

Coffee is the second most consumed drink in the world, second only to water. Between the time you read this and the time you finish reading it, that number will remain the same.

Coffee has been an important part of human history since the 16th century. It was introduced to Europe by the mid-16th century, and by the mid-17th century, it was being consumed in the Americas.

Today, coffee is consumed in more than 160 countries around the world.

A common belief is that coffee grounds keep cats away from your garden, but this is not true.

There are already many anti-feline cat deterrents on the market, ranging from scents to electronic cat repellents, to the more natural, homemade methods such as coffee grounds.

It is widely believed that coffee grounds are good for cats. However, there are no scientific studies to back up this claim.

There is no evidence whatsoever that coffee grounds will keep cats away. The only reason that people believe that coffee grounds will keep cats away is that it is a folktale that has been passed around for some time.

Natural ways to keep your cats out

When you’re thinking of how to stop a cat from using the garden as a toilet, then you must first consider the cat’s habits and background.

 First of all, if the cat is a stray you must consider that is is probably an abandoned cat and if it has had any recent contact with humans.

It has probably been in the company of a family member or a caretaker, so it is unlikely to be a cat that has had any previous experience with a garden.

If you have a cat that has previously been in your garden, then we recommend that you either find a cat behaviourist to solve the problem or you install a cage around the perimeter of your garden.

There are many deterrents that can be used to discourage a cat from eating or digging up your plants.

These include:

  • Ultrasonic Repellents 

Keep your home free from unwelcome visitors – cats and dogs. They can be a big nuisance, destroying our valuable furniture, clothes and linen, and eating our food, ruining our peace of mind and costing us a fortune to replace.

The best way to discourage these unwanted guests is to install an ultrasonic cat repellent.

  • Citrus Peels

Citrus peels are commonly used as “cat deterrents” to keep cats from climbing on or off your property. Many homeowners include a heap of citrus peels along their fence or wall, to keep the cats from climbing over or under.

While the smell of citrus is not pleasant to humans, some cats appear to have no aversion to the smell, and quite like to cover themselves in citrus peels.

  • Motion Activated Sprinkler

Motion activated sprinkler devices have become a popular way to deter cats and other animals from entering a garden. Their purpose is to scare the cat into leaving the garden.

These devices, which are usually installed in a garden entrance, are activated by motion. This means that if the cat or other animal moves, the sprinkler will come on.

  • Plastic Garden Fencing

It’s no secret that cats are a nuisance in the garden. They scratch up bulbs, defecate in the same trees as your favorite plants, and leave their paw prints on the patio.

However, there are ways you can prevent your feline friends from entering your garden. If you are looking to deter your cat from entering your yard, then you should be looking at using fencing to prevent your cat from entering your garden.

If you choose to use fencing to deter your cat from entering your garden, then you should be looking at stainless steel and plastic garden fencing. Both of these materials are perfect for cat deterrents.

  • Pine Cones

The cat deterrent is a simple and environmentally friendly way to deter cats from scratching or pilling your garden plants. Pinecones or “pinecone cat deterrents” are a cheap and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cat deterrents such as motion sensors, which are expensive, and can often be defeated.

Is coffee dangerous to your cat?

People have many reasons to drink coffee. The list of healthy benefits is too long to mention. But one thing you might not know is that coffee might be dangerous to your pet.

Cats are very sensitive to caffeine, and with many cat owners serving their pets a steady diet of coffee, this has caused many cats to become addicted to the drink, which can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and other health issues.

The truth is, caffeine is not harmful to cats that drink it only occasionally. However, it can cause problems if cats are chronically exposed to too much of it, which is why you should start by limiting cat coffee intake.

How much coffee can cat take?

Your cat may drink out of your coffee cup as he’s begging you for some, but he doesn’t know that some of the caffeine in your brew will wind up in his tummy.

Depending on the type of coffee you brew, the caffeine can remain in the grounds for as long as a week and can be absorbed into your cat’s body, which is why it’s important for you to be careful how much coffee you serve your pets, and how often they drink it.

Coffee is not so popular drink for cats, but aside from it being tasty, there isn’t much else to gain from it. Studies have shown that some cats may have a slight sensitivity to caffeine, but this varies greatly between individual cats.

In terms of caffeine, cats should have around 10mg of caffeine per pound of body weight per day (or around 5mg of caffeine per cup of coffee).

In comparison, the amount of caffeine in an average cup of coffee (around 200mg) is too much for a small cat, but still just right for a medium-sized cat.

Will coffee kill a cat?

When it comes to cats and coffee, you’ve got to make decisions based on the situation. If you’re drinking a latte with your cat at home, he or she should be fine. On the other hand, if you leave your cat alone and unattended for most of the day, then your cat can’t be trusted with the caffeine and may need to be placed in a catio.

If your cat is a coffee drinker, then you’re probably fully aware of the danger of caffeine toxicity, and are doing everything you can to protect your cat.

Coffee is something we all enjoy, but it can be dangerous for your kitties. I have seen cats die from drinking coffee with milk.       

Lucy Harper

Lucy Harper

Lucy Harper is the founder and owner of our coffee content site. With a lifelong passion for coffee, Lucy has dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. Her goal is to help coffee lovers of all levels to explore the world of coffee and discover the joy of the perfect cup. When she's not writing about coffee, Lucy can often be found in her kitchen experimenting with new brewing techniques and coffee recipes.