Having a sandbox in your backyard can be great fun for small kids, but your local felines might love it, too. This isn't just gross, but it can also be harmful to your kiddos. How can you keep cats out of the sandbox? Fortunately, if your cat (or other cats in the neighborhood) has decided the box is their own personal litter box, there are several ways to keep them out. Try these eight ethical and easy tricks to enjoy a cat-free sandbox.
1. Keep Your Cat Indoors
If it's your cat using the sandbox, the simplest way to keep them out is by keeping them indoors. It might sound impossible, but it's the safest option and is recommended by humane societies and feline veterinarians.
That means if your cat was previously an outdoor cat, they will need to adjust to an indoor-only environment. You can help them by providing plenty of cat trees, shelves and perches, and toys for play. You could even train them to walk on a leash for controlled outdoor time.
2. Cover the Sandbox to Keep Cats Out
If keeping your cat inside is not an option, or if other cats are using the sandbox, covering it is a simple solution. Not only does this option keep cats out of your sandbox, but it also keeps it free from other items that might blow in there from wind and rain.
DIY Sandbox Covers
You can make your own cover with some building supplies such as shade cloth, tarps, pallets, wood, PVC, or chicken wire. The goal should be to make something that won't blow away with the wind or be easily moved by animals but will still be easy for you to move on and off. If you're really handy, you can even make a cover that's attractive, functional, and includes seating.
Store-Bought Sandbox Covers
If you prefer to buy a sandbox cover, there are many options:
- The Frame It All Telescoping Hexagon Sandbox Canopy and Cover converts from a shade canopy into a cover easily. You do need to have the accompanying hexagon-shaped sandbox for it to fit properly. The cover retails for about $180.
- Tarp Supply has simple tarp covers in many sizes as well as custom sizing. They're lightweight and easy to tie down and lift up. Tarps range in price from $55 to $350.
- Sandbox Covers USA sells weighted covers that don't require tying down because of the heavy edges. Covers run from $385 to $1,000, depending on size. Custom sizing is available.
3. Fence the Sandbox
A fence might be helpful in keeping cats out of your sandbox. If you opt to fence in your sandbox, you can either fence the area around the box itself or fence your entire yard.
If you decide to fence just the area around the box, consider using fencing designed to be rabbit proof which has a higher chance of keeping the cats out. A more attractive option could be to use small garden fencing. Run two lengths of it a few inches apart around the box to help prevent cats from jumping in.
Keep in mind that fencing may not work unless you cat-proof the fence, as cats have been known to scale fences. One option for cat-proofing a fence is to use coyote rollers.
4. Use Scent Deterrents
Commercially-made scent deterrents for cats exist, such as Bonide Natural Animal Repellent and Shake Away, but their efficacy varies widely. There are also many stories about home remedies (in the form of scents) that repel cats.
You may want to try one or more of these options, but be aware that success with these varies depending on the cats, as not all cats dislike the same scents. Additionally, placing any scented item outdoors allows the scent's strength to dissipate quickly, even if you spray the area regularly.
Substances sometimes used in an effort to deter cats through their odor include:
- Cayenne or chile powder
- Cinnamon
- Citronella
- Citrus peels
- Coffee grounds
- Onions
- Vinegar
Caution: Some of these can be toxic to dogs, so be sure to research them first if there are dogs in your yard.
Does cinnamon keep cats out of sandboxes? Yes! Sprinkle a bit around the sandbox or boil a few cinnamon sticks in water and use it as a spray. Bonus: cinnamon helps repel pests, too.
5. Place Cat Deterrent Plants Near the Sandbox
There are plants that many cats find distasteful because of their scent. Try landscaping your sandbox area with these to deter cats. Some cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender, rosemary, pennyroyal, and the aptly named scaredy-cat plant.
6. Buy a Motion-Activated Cat Deterrent
A motion-activated device designed to deter animals can scare cats away from your sandbox. There are several commercially available options, though they can be pricy.
- Costway Solar Powered Motion Activated Animal Repellent Sprinkler retails for about $68 and covers an area of approximately 1,000 square feet. It scares animals away with water.
- Critter Ridder Motion-Activated Animal Repellent Sprinkler costs about $50 and can detect animals up to 100 feet away. The sprinkler uses a water spray to scare off animals. It can also double as a lawn sprinkler.
- SSSCAT Spray runs about $50 and gives off an unscented spray that can startle cats. However, it doesn't have a large coverage area because it's really made for indoor use. You would likely need several to cover the area around your sandbox, depending on the setup.
7. Properly Clean the Sandbox
Another important task is to make sure you are properly cleaning the sandbox. Cats have a sensitive sense of smell and will go where they smell traces of urine and feces. Use special cleaners made specifically for cat waste. If you're not sure if the sandbox is clean, get a black light flashlight and run it over the sandbox at night to look for traces.
Having cats in a sandbox can potentially be dangerous for anyone who handles the sand. Wear disposable gloves and thoroughly wash your hands.
8. Train Your Cat to Do Something Better
If the culprit is your own cat, you can train them not to use your sandbox for their bodily functions. Simply saying "no" to them and taking them out of the litter box won't do much other than annoy your cat.
Instead, identify an incompatible behavior you want him to do instead of getting in the sandbox and work on reinforcing that behavior. Examples may include turning away from the box, playing with a toy you set up nearby, or even encouraging them to use a litter box you put outside for them. Clicker training is a great way to do this and can be fun for you and your cat.
Multiple Ways to Keep Cats Out of a Sandbox
With so many options to try, one or a combination of these solutions is sure to help you find a way to keep cats out of your backyard sandbox. Don't give up hope just yet. You may have to try several different options before you find the one that works best for your situation.
