Think i'm giving up with the cats!

gabyjane

Since we have moved in we have always revolved the garden round the cats..had various things down to stop them pooing and its usually worked but the last thing was white gravel which looked lovely for about a year then got filthy and no amount of cleaning helped..we got rid. We then got bark..unbeknown to me they started using it as a toilet so in the last few days it has all been taken out and we have put down slate chippings..very rough..not nice to stand on and hoped it would work..nope come in from work this morning to find it half dug up..not happy..dont think i would mind so much if they didn't make so much bleeding mess!

We have large pebbles in another area..so far so good but wont hold my breath!

I sympathise with those of you who have issues with your cats! Any ideas what to put on the stones to poss stop them?
Thanks

peter_the_piper

Would the smell of Lion poo put them (and you) off? I've heard it works.

zzzLazyDaisy

This solution probably doesn't appeal... but...

My neighbour used to have the same problem - every cat in the area used to use his newly dug vegetable plot as a toilet. Then I moved in, with my tom cat.

He thinks both my garden and my neighbour's garden are HIS territory, and the other cats give him a wide berth. Of course he does use the garden for a loo, but one is better than a dozen or more...

So the answer is to get a cat of your own....

(I'll get my coat....) :A

starstella

If you can't beat them join them.Try providing a sand pit for them.You will still have to clean it but it's better in one spot.When I plant something I always put prickly twigs around the plant.It stops the cats and lets the plant get established.I recently put loads of compost around the shrubs at the top of my garden and they use that.I don't mind as it's unused apart from the shrubs.Also let's face it, it will decompose.To be on the safe side though I will use gloves if I have to work in thet area.I am a cat lover but I don't own a cat.My next door neighbour has 2 cats and they regard my house as their second home.I also look after 2 feral cats that live in my garden.The pleasure they give me is worth a bit of extra work and they do keep other cats away.;)

savemoney

Doesn't always work getting a cat of your own, I have had two cats and on my 2nd cat now.

We have a cat who just helps himself to my cats food in garage going through cat flap, so not all cats are scared of coming into your garden just because you got your own cat

gabyjane

Hi thanks for the replies. We have our own 2 cats and all the good it does!..think it is our newest addition who digs at everything..drives me mad..purely put chippings down due to him hopefully not liking the feel and he still does it grr..our oldest cat was never like this and still isn't! but today just got home from work and it's all still in tact so will keep an eye out. Have tried the water gun method as he hates water but very hard as it is by our back door so every time i catch him and open the door he has scarpered grr!

Need something to deter them from digging..i even think if i put shards of glass down he would still give it a good go! (i wont btw)!

zarazara

There are at least 14 cats in the 2 houses next to me. I find that I have to put small sticks poking in the ground all over the garden all the time so they cant scratch the soil and use it as a toilet.

mrbrightside842

gabyjane wrote: »

Hi thanks for the replies. We have our own 2 cats and all the good it does!..think it is our newest addition who digs at everything..drives me mad..purely put chippings down due to him hopefully not liking the feel and he still does it grr..our oldest cat was never like this and still isn't! but today just got home from work and it's all still in tact so will keep an eye out. Have tried the water gun method as he hates water but very hard as it is by our back door so every time i catch him and open the door he has scarpered grr!

Need something to deter them from digging..i even think if i put shards of glass down he would still give it a good go! (i wont btw)!

Do they have a litter tray?

chelms38

If you can't do the 'put them in a bag' and dump them miles from home try buying one of those super soaker pistols and drench them if they dare put one paw on your property.

laurel7172

My cats liked to dig up my pots, so I gave them some sacrificial ones-plastic crates filled with sand and compost. One next to the back door, and one in their favourite digging spot ( the "resting" pots). It worked, but I had to protect the other pots while they got used to the idea..

illusio

Big pebbles do work better, we had the same issue with large indoor pot plants (nice!) and it's pretty tough to move 4" round stones! Depending on the size/nature of the bed, is netting an option? Either for a year or so to allow ground cover to establish, or during growing season for fruit/veg beds?