What Smells Do Cats Hate? 15 Scents Cats Dislike

Some cat turn-offs are obvious. (Do you dare to give a cat a bath?) But when it comes to smells, cats might find certain scents that we don’t even notice highly unpleasant.

Understanding what smells cats hate can help you avoid them, creating a more pleasant environment for your kitty. Or, as long as they're safe for cats, these “bad smells” might be a way to deter cats from going into areas where they’re not welcome.

So, what smells do cats hate the most? These 15 scents are top feline offenders.

15 Smells That Cats Hate

Cats have a heightened sense of smell thanks to the many air passages in their nose and sinuses that help collect scents. They also have a special organ called the Jacobson's organ, located on the roof of their mouth.

“They can inhale scents better,” says Jessica Bell, DVM, a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. If you notice your cat sniffing with their mouth open, that's their way of investigating a smell more closely, aided by Jacobson's organ.

Wild cat ancestors might have been able to identify something toxic with just a sniff. While our domesticated house cats might retain some of that ability, it's best not to rely on them to detect harmful smells, like the scent of lilies or geraniums.

1. Citrus Smells

We might be drawn to the refreshing scent of lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges—but those sweet scents of spring are some of the smells cats hate most. Citrus oils can be overpowering to a cat's sensitive olfactory system and cause irritation, says certified cat behavior consultant Joey Lusvardi, CCBC.

2. Spicy Smells

Cats might not inherently dislike the smell of spicy foods. However, cayenne pepper, chili peppers, and other fiery ingredients contain capsaicin, a chemical that triggers a burning sensation—not just for us, but for cats too. One unsuspecting sniff can send a cat recoiling, associating the scent with danger.

3. Essential Oils

Cats and essential oils shouldn't go together. Essential oils can be toxic to cats, regardless of how they encounter them: through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation, says Gabre Denton, BVMS, pet trainer and veterinarian.

Some of the most dangerous essential oils for cats include peppermint, tea tree oil, and clove oil. Eucalyptus and cats are also a bad mix.

Signs of essential oil poisoning in cats include:

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Unsteady gait while walking
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing

4. Household Cleaners

What does your cat really want? For you to use pet-safe cleaning products that won’t “stink up” the house.

Anything with the smell of vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or other strong acidic or noxious smells is going to irritate your cat's respiratory system and make them uncomfortable. Many are also toxic if your cat licks them off of their paws or fur.

5. Other Pets' Smells

“If your cat is particularly territorial or does not get along well with other cats, they may have a strong reaction to smelling other cats on you,” Lusvardi says. “They may think that another cat is invading their territory and they need to defend their resources.”

This can happen with the scent of other animals, too, like dogs or even outdoor predators such as coyotes if your cat ventures outside.

6. Perfumes and Colognes

According to your cat, you smell best when going au naturel. Like other strong scents, perfumes and colognes are some of the scents cats hate most. They’re much more overwhelming to cats than they are to us.

7. Citronella

Citronella is a popular mosquito repellent, but it can also keep your beloved cat away. Like citrus fruits, citronella's strong oils can be overpowering for a cat's sensitive sense of smell.

8. Laundry Detergent and Softeners

A cat will choose a well-worn bed over a freshly laundered one any day, Lusvardi says. Even if the detergent is unscented, removing or masking too much of your cat’s natural scent and pheromones leaves them feeling insecure.

9. Dirty Litter Box

You don't like the smell of a dirty bathroom—and neither does your cat. Besides offending their fastidious nature, cats instinctively eliminate away from their living area and then bury it because they don't want to attract predators.

A dirty litter box full of waste can freak them out and might leave you with bigger messes elsewhere in the house. Scoop the litter box at least once a day and deep-clean it with soap and water every few weeks.

10. Menthol

If cats love the smell of catnip, why do they despise the scent of Vicks VapoRub®, minty cough medicine, and lip balms?

“We can smell catnip, but not the way a cat smells it,” Dr. Bell explains. It's a chemical reaction, not just the smell alone, that makes cats go wild. However, menthol, though derived from mint, is a synthetic version.

Because menthol lacks the natural chemicals that catnip has, its artificial scent comes across as simply ick to cats.

11. Scented Litter

“Cats prefer litter that does not have a lot of additives, is not scented, and doesn't have perfume-y or air freshener type smells,” says Rachel Geller, EdD, a Humane Society of the United States-certified cat behavior and retention specialist and founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preventing the surrender and abandonment of cats.

While Geller doesn't recommend changing litter types if your current litter is working just fine, it’s best to use an unscented cat litter.

12. Smoke

From cigarettes and vapes to cannabis and even barbecues and bonfires, pets and smoke don’t mix. Secondhand smoke can cause serious respiratory issues and cling to your cat’s fur.

13. Bananas

Leaving bananas on the counter just might act as a repellent for your cat. While the fleshy part of a banana is non-toxic to cats in moderation, the peels emit ethyl acetate, the compound responsible for their pungent smell.

14. Spoiled Meat

Cats exhibit a skill well-suited to the survival of an obligate carnivore—a natural talent for sniffing out fresh meat and turning their noses up at spoiled offerings.

However, some cats can be picky eaters and develop aversions to certain foods, even if they haven’t gone bad.

15. Trauma-Related Smells

Cats can learn to associate smells with stressors, similar to scent associations in humans. For example, Dr. Bell says, a vet clinic visit, with the necessary car ride and poking and prodding, may stress out your cat. This might cause them to associate the smell of the carrier, car, or clinic with stress, leading to defensive behaviors.

To avoid this, wash your cat’s carrier thoroughly with a pet-safe cleaner after your vet visit and store it in a clean, dry area. Even better, leave the carrier out at home so your cat can become comfortable with it and add their own calming pheromones to the interior.

Using Smells to Deter Cats

So can you use these odors to keep cats away from certain areas? If a smell is unpleasant, your cat will likely try to find another route or simply avoid the space altogether. If the smell is particularly offensive, it might trigger a hiss, Lusvardi says.

However, if your cat is vomiting, lethargic, or panting, reach out to your veterinarian. These symptoms could indicate they've ingested something toxic or they might be signs of another underlying medical issue.

As long as a disliked smell is non-toxic to cats, it can be used as a deterrent. According to Dr. Denton, safe substances that can be diluted as deterrents include vinegar, citrus, and bitter apple. But never spray them directly on your cat, he adds.

If you’re trying to keep cats out of your yard, Lusvardi recommends using coyote or fox urine, which is often available at home and garden stores.

Keep in mind that using scent deterrents won’t solve underlying behavioral issues, like scratching the couch. “You may end up just having the problem show up somewhere else or have your cat develop unwanted behaviors due to stress,” Lusvardi says.

Paying attention to your cat’s body language and learning their likes and dislikes can help you and your kitty live harmoniously. Remember, cats have a super-sensitive sense of smell, and many common household items that smell good to us can be overwhelming or unpleasant for them.