Dog Repellent Plants: 3 Vet-Reviewed Options That Deter Dogs (With Pictures)
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Fences can deter the neighbor’s dog. They can also prevent your own dog from getting to areas you don’t want them, such as the koi pond or the kid’s play area. However, they aren’t always a viable option. You might not want fences littering your flower beds or preventing you from seeing the pond that you have painstakingly dug out and stocked with expensive fish.
There are chemical repellents on the market, but these are harsh and can have adverse effects on dogs, and they are rarely as effective as the manufacturers claim. Natural alternatives do exist. In particular, you can add dog-repellent plants to your yard, and the smell or even the look of these will naturally prevent any dog from passing.
Just like the chemical repellents, there is no guarantee that a particularly odorous plant will deter dogs from an area of your garden, but they are healthier than spraying chemicals all over your herbaceous border to try and stop next door’s dog from pooping where you don’t want them to.
Essentially, you’re looking for plants that have a strong smell that the typical dog doesn’t enjoy. This can seem challenging, considering dogs love nothing more than getting up close and personal with poop, garbage, and other bad smells, but the following plants have proven successful for other dog owners and keen gardeners.
The 3 Plants That Repel Dogs
1. Citronella
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is well known for its mosquito-repelling capabilities, but according to some gardeners, it works effectively well to deter cats and dogs. Citronella sprays are available, or you can grow the plant itself. The citronella plant requires a very hot climate, so unless you live in the hottest parts of the country, you will find it a challenge to grow this natural canine repellent.
2. Plectranthus Caninus
Plectranthus caninus, also known as the “Scaredy Cat” plant, is known for its ability to deter cats thanks to its smell. It has also proven effective at scaring dogs away. Despite its effectiveness at deterring animals, humans won’t notice the smell unless they rub against it or intentionally rub the plant to release the odor, making it a great addition to the garden.
3. Curry Plant
Helichrysum italicum, or the curry plant, is a great addition to the garden. It has a silvery look and when you rub it, it has a very strong curry aroma. It is actually part of the daisy family and it can do a really good job of preventing cats and dogs from getting near it. The curry plant can be susceptible to frost, though, so it will need a well-protected spot if you intend to grow it outdoors.
Avoid Toxic Plants
Other plants have shown some success in repelling dogs and cats, and you may find your own herbaceous solutions to the common problem of keeping unwanted canine visitors away. However, you should always ensure that your plants are not toxic. This is especially true if you are using plants to keep dogs away from a child’s play area because they can be toxic to children as well as dogs.
Other Safe Dog Repellents
The plants above have shown some anecdotal success in deterring dogs and cats. Most dogs learn quickly that they don’t like the smell and won’t return to the area in a hurry. However, no empirical proof exists that scented plants work on all dogs.
For example, while a lot of dogs dislike the smell of the curry plant, others love it. The same goes for lavender. If you don’t find success using the plants we’ve listed, there are other options to consider.
Add Uncomfortable Mulch
Dogs have sensitive paws. As such, they may not like to walk on mulch, especially uncomfortable mulch like chunky pine cones or thorny plant clippings. Even large wood chips can prevent canines from visiting your property. If you are trying to protect fragile plants, consider adding these substrates to the ground, and you should see results.
Fence Off the Area
Fences provide a physical barrier to prevent unwanted guests. They can be placed around the border of your property to effectively stop the neighbor’s dogs from getting in. You can also add fences in the middle of your garden around areas you want to cut off. For example, if you have a child’s sandpit, the last thing you want is for your dog to use it as a giant toilet.
Fences don’t have to be large, obtrusive to the eye, or ugly. Look for fence panels that complement your garden design or make them a focal point, or you can paint them in natural colors so they blend in better.
Conclusion
In this article, we have listed three dog-repellent plants that have shown some success in keeping dogs at bay. However, it should be noted that not all of these plants will work with all dogs. Consider using fences and walls as a permanent solution, and experiment with the plants that you have to find those that the dog in question doesn’t like. You can also buy natural dog repellents, although these will usually use derivatives of the plants above to create a strong odor.
That means if the plant itself doesn’t work then a repellent that contains those plants is unlikely to work either.
Featured Image Credit: Anton Watman, Shutterstock
