Cat Urine in Garden: Lime Safety and Long-Term Solutions

Is Hydrated Lime Safe for Cats?

A gardener uses hydrated lime to neutralize cat urine odor but worries about toxicity to the cat that uses the garden as a litter box.

Expert Advice: Use Sparingly, Redirect the Cat

Dry lime can irritate mucous membranes, but once watered in, it's not a problem. However, repeated application can raise soil pH too high for plants. The better long-term strategy is to encourage the cat to eliminate elsewhere—perhaps by providing a dedicated outdoor litter area or using deterrents.

Key Points

• Lime is safe once watered in, but overuse harms soil pH.
• Focus on behavior modification rather than repeated chemical treatment.
• Consider motion-activated sprinklers or commercial repellents.