Cinnamon in the sandbox

[snopes]

Comment: Heard this "myth" and wondered if it was true....Cinnamon in the
Sandbox keeps the bugs away, ants and keeps cats out of the sandbox .

True? and if so...how much does it take ?

[Shoggoth]

My cat is much like a dog when it comes to eating, but cinnamon added to a dish will suddenly curb his interest in it. I'd imagine that eventually enough cinnamon could be added to a sandbox to discourage cats from going in it, but I'd wager it would be significantly more than the average household normally has.

If it doesn't repel anything, at least the kids will come in smelling like cinnamon... and cat poop.

[Not_Done_Living]

it's also caustic and can cause all sorts of irritations.

http://digitaljournal.com/article/323339

and it doesn't take much apparently.

We use a kitty litter deoderizer (you sprinkle it into the bottom of the tray before spreading the litter on top) that smells rather like cinnamon. It has never stopped her from going in and doing her business.

However the container does not list the ingredients on it so it may not even contain real cinnamon, just something that smells similar.

[urbanlegendfanatic]

Your best bet is just to buy one of those sandboxes with a lid. I don't notice my cat shying away from cinnamon.