Keep the cat out my garden!

[Deleted User]

It's so annoying isn't it ? And more people are getting cats instead of dogs because they're less work ... So the rest of us get poop in our garden; seedlings dug up and birds killed. They're the ultimate selfish person's pet (no trouble to them - just to everyone-else).

I had 3 cats "fighting" over my garden for many years. This is what worked for me ...

Basically, going round every inch of the perimter of my garden and either planting prickly plants like holly, stuffing rolls of chicken wire in holes, or using other things to close off gaps in the hedge/fence. Then, protecting the soil in some way - I've found that cats don't like bark (the big stuff) as it gets stuck in their claws. A Catwatch (the expensive kind - humans can't hear it) was one of the best investments we ever made (you need to move it occasionally, otherwise they get used to it).

When we lived in a terraced house with a wall, I put up a wire fence on top of it so they couldn't get in.

I don't think there's anything wrong in talking to your neighbour and asking them to please provide their cat with a litter tray (take several deep breaths before you go).

However, the only thing that REALLY worked for us ... was when a fox moved in a the bottom of the garden Don't know whether they've been scared off or whether the fox has had them for breakfast. Either way - it's a bit extreme!

It's an ongoing problem and always will be as long as people have cats as pets. The person that solves it will make A FORTUNE.

pineapple

I have one neighbour with 5 cats. She does have a litter tray though I'm sure they 'go' outside too but my main problem with her cats in particular is that they are killing all the wildlife and bird visitors are consequently dwindling.
http://www.mammal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=256&Itemid=289
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/cats-birds.html#cr
I suggested she fit collars with bells but she says she doesn't want to risk them getting caught up - and she won't fit the quick release ones as they keep losing them and she doesn't want to keep forking out for new ones..
I've dug up any clumps of stuff in the garden which they can hide behind. I've already ordered one ultrasonic device and I think I'll get the catwatch too cheers.

pineapple

Corona wrote: »

It's an ongoing problem and always will be as long as people have cats as pets. The person that solves it will make A FORTUNE.

If I could wave a magic wand I would make it illegal to have more than 2 cats. That would help restore the balance of nature seeing as so many cat owners seem unable to stop at 2, or 3, or 4.....

[Deleted User]

pineapple wrote: »

I have one neighbour with 5 cats. She does have a litter tray though I'm sure they 'go' outside too but my main problem with her cats in particular is that they are killing all the wildlife and bird visitors are consequently dwindling.
http://www.mammal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=256&Itemid=289
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/cats-birds.html#cr
I suggested she fit collars with bells but she says she doesn't want to risk them getting caught up - and she won't fit the quick release ones as they keep losing them and she doesn't want to keep forking out for new ones..
I've dug up any clumps of stuff in the garden which they can hide behind. I've already ordered one ultrasonic device and I think I'll get the catwatch too cheers.

Yes, I moved lots of my planters that one of the cats was hiding behind, plus hung up feeders and have raised the bird bath - which now sits in the middle of the lawn, so that the birds can see the cats coming. (Doesn't help blackbirds though which are ground feeders).

An elderly neighbour advised me to keep any cuttings/prunings of prickly bushes like holly, berberis, roses, and to lay them on any bare soil - which I've been doing. Basically, just make life as difficult for them as possible.

If you DO find beheaded birds, etc. personally, I'd leave them on her front step ....;)

[Deleted User]

pineapple wrote: »

If I could wave a magic wand I would make it illegal to have more than 2 cats. That would help restore the balance of nature seeing as so many cat owners seem unable to stop at 2, or 3, or 4.....

I agree - although cats aren't native to this country so only their disappearance is going to help the balance of nature. They're an introduced species and, apart from their value to their individual owner, totally pointless to society in general (apart, I guess, from farmers having farm cats to keep rats and mice down and away from their stored crops - though, from a recent conversation I had, apparently, Jack Russell terriers do a better job ...:) )

JethroUK

pineapple wrote: »

If I could wave a magic wand I would make it illegal to have more than 2 cats. That would help restore the balance of nature seeing as so many cat owners seem unable to stop at 2, or 3, or 4.....

There seems to be an obvious reason for that - cats seem to look after themselves and the owner just provides a place for them to congregate (and stink up) & looking at the owners (of herds of cats) they cant even look after themselves so it's only animal they can keep

Del_Astra

Think yourself lucky that they are burying it, the cats round mine are so lazy don't bother to bury it.

If a dog fails, I'm told a gun works well.

pineapple

I could live with the occasional cat crap or dead body but there are as many cats as people now in my little rural community and it has totally destroyed any balance. Just looking at the pets thread on another forum and it was cats cats cats...
Is it because cats don't need company and walking like dogs?
Plus why can't so many cat owners stop at one or two?

Some neighbours - veggies and bird lovers even - are a case in point. They bemoan the destruction and frequently find bloodied corpses underneath the sofa but nevertheless have gone on to get 5 cats :eek:.
It's the ultimate in selfishness - and neighbours have to live with the consequences because 'it's what cats do'.

Either something needs to be done about this growing pestilence or about the besotted owners because ultimately, they are the ones responsible (unfortunately not in the eyes of the law though).

radiohelen

Goodness me! I hope no-one is seriously suggesting you get a gun and shoot cats. It's illegal and a really unpleasant thing to suggest.
It seems that many of you are experiencing problems and I sympathise with your problems. It isn't nice to have cats digging up your garden and pooing. I do not have any answers for you although I would suggest that a bit of perspective might not be a bad thing.
Dogs are just as much of a problem in different ways. They defecate in public areas so rather than getting poo on your shoe in the garden, it happens in the park or on the pavement. I think dog owners should have to get a license again and do a compulsory dog ownership course.
Foxes are a constant pest in our garden and after being attacked by one I wish councils would control them properly either with poison or guns. Unfortunately that isn't going to happen so I'm going to leave the foxes alone... I suggest you leave the cats alone and we'll all sit in our houses grumpy and without answers.

Aries

I have had it on my Hands while planting things yuk!!.:eek:
The trouble is that they bury there c..p and you cant see it.
then the thing comes back and digs your plants up.:eek: