Why do cats hate the smell of citrus?
However, cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and as citrus fruits are very aromatic, what smells heavenly to us is way too over the top for cats. ... Fortunately, this natural aversion to strong, citrusy smells means that cats tend to avoid eating it.
Does citrus keep cats away?
Topical Repellents
According to the ASPCA, cats typically dislike the smell of citrus, so using orange, lemon or lime peels sprinkled around plants can help keep cats away. Using the oils of these citrus fruits is also a smart solution, since they are nontoxic to humans and cats.