Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Cats using my garden and POTS as a toilet - I've had enough! Any tips?
Besides getting a cat myself - not really in position to do so at the mo.
Look, I know lots of cat-less people here have had this problem,and I had it in the garden last year, but I'm especially yucked out today. I have some pots and troughs on the patio that I use for growing salads and veg (nothing planted yet, but compost in) and I went out this morning and they were FULL of cat-shit. It's repulsive. Is there anything I can do beyond covering every bare piece of earth and unfilled pot with chicken wire or similar? I appreciate cats have to go, and location is nature an' all, but I'm SO sick of having to clear up/bury their crap. I've seen various cats in my garden (never caught in the act, usually just wandering through) so it could be any one of a number of poss culprits. Arghhhhh!
Oh, and PS. Is it considered cruel by owners to get litter trays for their pets? because 'the neighbours' gardens' isn't really on as a more 'natural' alternative in my opinion. My local cats also do not seem very good at burying their doings so I do end up having to remove it. It's gross.
OK. I'm all ranted out now...any tips appreciated. Ta Lx
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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I heard old-fashioned mothballs ( camphor ) act as a deterrent. Probably outlawed by the EU now though :-(
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Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on
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If you are able use a large powerful water pistol to get them mid crap - that tends to put them off. Are you sure it's cats and not foxes? Althugh same ideas woudl probably work on both - something strong smelling that they do not like BUT is not poisonous to them.
Or try one of those ultrasonic devices that are supposed to hurt their ears?
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Permalink Reply by Sandi on
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Toothpicks in pots, and a bottle I can squirt water out of at them, should I spot them in my garden, works well for me.
I'm a cat owner myself and do provide a litter tray for them. Unfortunately, they do prefer to use outside and likewise have cleared endless amounts of their, and other cats, crap out of the beds. Might be worth looking at their route into your garden; if they walk along the tops of fences, you can buy deterrents which will make it more difficult for them to walk on, without harming them.
I love these animals and accept that cat-shit clearing is the price I pay. But I do have every sympathy for people like you.
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Permalink Reply by Anette on
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Hi Laura, I am a cat owner, but really do sympathise! Some good advice here (might give the pepper a go myself!), thought I'd add citrus peel to the list. Generally cats do not like the smell, so you can try scattering that around too. I have also successfully used wooden skewers, you stick enough of them in a pot or a particular spot, and the cat will have a problem finding a comfortable place to squat. I normally break them in half, seems to work.
Also, lion dung is meant to be very effective, some garden centres sell it, I have seen it in the Sunshine GS.
And I always keep a spot of loose soil in my garden for my cats to go in, to stop them bothering the neighbours, I think it works.
A squirt of water only works if you catch them mid-shit, otherwise they won't be able to connect the dots, cats' brains are not wired that way.
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Permalink Reply by folko ono on
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I can confirm about citrus peel - our cat had an impressive sneezing fit when I made some marmalade recently! I didn't know they disliked it, I feel a bit guilty now...
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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OK, I see ours poohing in our garden but of course that does not preclude him from poohing in yours. You have my permission to water pistol him if you catch him and we'll watch out for it too.
Sorry if it is him.
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Permalink Reply by HoL Site Admin on
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A couple of comments on this post on our Facebook page:
have a look at this website, it may work , I have not tried it as I have 3 dogs who get a daily workout chasing the cats out of my garden. this does not harm the little moggies.Turn the hosepipe on them when you see them at it. Works for me.
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Permalink Reply by Lesley on
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My mum throws used Lemon's & Limes on the soil...something to do with them not liking the acid in them & the smell...also makes the garden looks colourful ;o)
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Permalink Reply by Pinenut on
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I agree with the sticks suggestion - I buy a couple of bamboo support sticks - break them up into about 10" peices and stick into the ground. slightly less unsightly than wire and stops them from digging the earth in that area until the plants grow
also you can buy powder to deter cats with garlic in it - it hides the smell. they usually only go where prev gone as they sniff out the loo
I am a cat owner and I too have to deal with not only my own cat but all the other cats (& foxes) in the hood so sympatise
good luck
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Permalink Reply by Laura W on
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Thanks for all the tips everyone (keep 'em coming if anyone thinks of anything new!!). I think I will try a multi-pronged - or toothpicked - attack. Various combos, pepper, citrus, sticks etc. Planning to clear a flowerbed this weekend - cat pooh-party heaven - so wish me luck!!
BTW I did once try that lion dung stuff and anti-cat powder, but the areas I tried them in still ended up with cat turds on them THE VERY NEXT DAY & thereafter, so I concluded they were completely ineffective. In flowerbeds anyway.
Re: foxes, I don't think there is much that can be done there, that's a whole different area of nastiness...
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I play tennis a lot so I so use old balls when I catch them at it. A direct hit will prevent this happening. You will find that the cat(s) will pay particular attention when entering the garden again
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You don't care that you might injure a cat then? How would you like it of anyone did that to your children if they were caught tresspassing? If I found anyone doing this to my cats or any other animal I would not hesitate to report them to the RSPCA as well as the police.
Please everyone, do NOT do this. It's cruel. And irresponsible.
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