[andrew]

How do you make cats stay away from certain areas? Like the top of the TV, for example, or my computer monitor. I know cats love the heat of the electronics, but my electronics don't love them back. I'm afraid the cat dander could get inside the vents and damage the electronics within.

[craftykris]

What a great question. How do you get cats to do anything you don't want them to do when they want to? Cats are so persistent!
What I do is take them down from where I don't want them and say "no-no" and pat their nose.
My cat doesn't like electronics, just the curtains. I have also used a spray bottle and sprayed them when they were being naughty. Can't do this around electronics though.

[Amanda]

I love spray water bottles to use on them when they get on the table or the counters, knowing darn well they aren't supposed to. You are right, you wouldn't be able to do that with electronics. But, isn't there a scent deterrent that you could put on the top of the television or computer. I'm sure you can buy something, but you can probably come up with your own, too. It wouldn't have to be anything real powerful. Just any scent that they wouldn't like, for instance; a few drops of vinegar?

[andrew]

I did a bit of research on this and found that cats hate the scent of citrus. I tested it out — bought a few lemons and made lemonade (why not?) and showed the peel to my cats... they scampered off immediately. So I bought a few of those citrus air fresheners and placed them around the house. Here's to hoping it works.

By the way, while doing the research, I read that spraying a cat with water to discipline him isn't recommended because it actually has the opposite effect: it antagonizes him. Also, they will supposedly start to associate you with the water bottle and general unpleasantness. I gotta say that that was rather surprising since I've heard many people also recommend the spray bottle technique. Hmm...

[ladtk]

That is correct, and cats always have a mind of their own. Though mine would need to be super tiny in order to lay on my flat screen monitor. Good luck with the lemon smell, honestly I can not stand it myself (maybe I am part cat?).

[GardenGran]

I have never had a cat that would listen to me. I don't think they're brains work anything like a dog, who will mind you and pay attention. Cats are too prissy. lol

I like the water bottle idea. I've used that when they jump on the screen door.

[EllaEnchanted]

I have trouble keeping them out of my garden. I worked so hard at the beginning of the planting season spreading potting soil everywhere and evidently they thought I had made several large litter boxes for them specially. I finally had to sprinkle cayenne pepper around the areas to keep them out. It did work but it was expensive. Someone suggested to put brambles around on top of the soil to keep them from digging (thorns on the brambles and paws get pricked by the thorns). I didn't try that but I found if I filled the areas with sticks it was harder for them to get to the fresh dirt. I am still having a little trouble with them but not as bad as before.

[Allie]

I have just cut sticks and stuck them upright about six inches apart all around the flower beds. It worked to keep the dogs and cats out. When the flowers are bigger and filling the beds, I'll just take the sticks out.

[auntmartha]

Citrus is the way to go. I also had this problem myself and a friend told me how cats hate citrus. So, I bought some of those citrus fresheners and put one everywhere I didn't want the cat. IT WORKS!

[Madison]

That's a great idea AuntMartha! I'm going to have to try that. I hate having the cats jump on things in the kitchen. I've tried the water spray bottle but I must say mine aren't impressed. I also have trouble with both of them coming into the house and scratching the couch. I love my cats but I spent a lot of money on that sofa and love seat.