The Top 8 Smells Attracting Cats to Your Yard

1. Roses

A cat’s sense of smell is impressive and unlike any other. But it doesn’t take a genius nose to recognize how pleasant roses smell. Cats often spend time in yards with bountiful roses or other fragrant blooms, likely because of their lovely smells.

Plus, roses are safe for cats and edible to them, which is why there’s no need to panic if you catch a cat munching on your prized flowers. While they may end up with a stomachache if they ingest too much, cats and roses typically play nice.

2. Catmint or Catnip

An obvious one, to be sure, but cats are naturally attracted to the smells of either catnip or catmint. These two plants belong to the same plant family and genus, though only catnip has the euphoric, mind-altering qualities certain cats crave.

Planting either of these options is a great idea if you want to attract both cats and pollinators to your yard. And, as members of the mint family, catnip and catmint are prolific growers. Be sure to plant and tend to these herbs carefully, as they can easily become uncontrollable!

3. Rodents

If your local cats are semi-feral or curious hunters by nature (as so very many cats are), they may be attracted to the smell of prey in your yard. Rodents are likely among the smells attracting cats to your yard, especially if you’ve noticed a high population of mice, gophers, or squirrels on your property already.

While it may not paint as pretty a picture as cats attracted to the smell of roses, your neighborhood felines are probably helping your property with a pest problem. Cats can smell rodents and other prey animals easily, given that their senses are roughly 14 times stronger than humans!

4. Grass

Whether they choose to eat it, roll in it, or some combination of both, cats love grass. A simple lawn may be enough to attract plenty of cats into your yard, though your feline friends have preferences. Certain types of grass may smell better than others.

Rye, barley, and oat grasses are among the faves for felines. Plus, all of these are edible grasses for cats as well. If you know you’re growing any of these cereal grasses in your yard, it may explain why cats are flocking your way.

5. Basil

An easy herb to grow, basil may be a culprit when it comes to uncovering the smells attracting cats to your yard. If your prized basil plant is out of control and bringing plenty of felines to your yard, you may want to consider scaling it back. The pleasant scent of this annual herb brings joy to humans and cats alike!

Fragrant smells attract cats, regardless of what it is. While some smells certainly repel cats (such as citrus), basil remains a pleasant one to their delicate senses.

6. Olive

Do you have olive trees on your property? While these trees thrive in certain areas more than others, they may be drawing cats to you if you happen to live in a good Hardiness Zone. Olives and the oil from these trees and fruits have a similar altering effect on cats as catnip, making it a plant they naturally seek out.

7. Silver Vine

Not every cat responds to catnip. But the ones who don’t tend to respond well to silver vine. A type of kiwi plant classified as Actinidia polygama, silver vine may be bringing cats to your yard because of its euphoric smell. However, silver vine doesn’t grow everywhere.

Hardy in Zones 4-9, silver vine plants are fairly rare. They are native plants of Russia, Japan, China, and Korea, though silver vine has made its way to the US. If you have a distinct climbing plant in your yard that keeps the cats coming, it may very well be this feline fave!

8. Honeysuckle

Just like humans, cats enjoy the smell of honeysuckle. If you have this vining beauty somewhere on your property, you may catch cats lounging around it when it’s in full bloom. The delicate, fragrant scent of honeysuckle brings cats to it for no apparent reason other than the fact that this plant smells amazing!