How to Stop an Outdoor Cat From Peeing in Sandbox

Keep your sandbox free of cat excrement with a few safe and simple add-ins.

It's natural for cats to find sandy or loose dirt areas in which to urinate. That's why litter boxes work so well for indoor cats. If you have an outdoor sandbox or sandpit in your backyard that is frequented by outdoor cats, you may have noticed wet areas and no rain in sight. There are a few simple things you can do to prevent cats from using your sandbox as their restroom without hurting your kids, your sandbox or the cats.

Things You'll Need

• Pine cones
• Black or white pepper
• Rake
• Cacao hulls

Instructions

1. Collect or purchase prickly pine cones, such as Ponderosa variety and place them throughout the sandbox and around its perimeter. Cats should find a new bathroom out of a desire to avoid pricking their paws on the pine cones.

2. Spread 4 to 8 ounces of white or black pepper across the surface of your sandbox. Use a rake to mix the pepper into the sand. White pepper will be relatively invisible if you want to avoid the appearance of black speckles in your sand. The scent of the pepper should act as a deterrent to neighborhood cats.

3. Purchase cacao beans in bulk. Shell the beans by separating the beans from their outer husks or hulls. Collect the husks in a small plastic container. Spread the cacao husks across the surface of the sandbox and use a rake to gently mix them into the sand, making sure they remain near the surface. The cacao husks should make cats think twice about approaching your sandbox the next time they need to relieve themselves.

References

• SF Gate: Readers Share Tips on Battling Pests

Resources

• Pet Place: Keeping Your Cat out of the Sandbox