cats!!!!!

Mr_Wang

Over recent months I've re grassed my back garden and spent a few hundred pounds (and a lot of time) sorting it out for my kids.

Problem is, my garden is now a magnet for cat (text removed by MSE Forum Team). I have spoken with my neighbours and asked them to clean it up, and they have both fobbed me off saying I can't prove it is their cat, despite one of them having 5 of them and the other 2. The issue is the problems that comes with cat (text removed by MSE Forum Team). and there is no way my kids can use our garden the way things are at the moment.

I honestly feel like going out and getting an air rifle and wiping them out, but my daughter would never speak to me again so I am thinking of something a little more morally and ethically acceptable.

The two options I've come up with is a catapult or a super charged water pistol. Question is, I don't want to hurt the cat, but equally I dont want the little (text removed by MSE Forum Team). to sit laughing at me whilst it curls one out on my grass.

Has anyone got any advice of how I can convince these little fur balls that my garden is not somewhere they are wanted?

pink_princess

My dog seems to work well

donnac2558

Cats hate the smell of lemon, as you can get sprays for in the home to stop them scratching furniture. Can't see it working outside with the weather.

Another one is lion dung(yes you can buy it), places around the garden. Makes them think bigger cat lives here.

elsien

Keep the grass short - the cats go more on mine if I've left it to grow a bit longer, I wouldn't use a catapult, still a risk of hurting them, but I have given them a good squirt with the water pistol. They now leg it when they see the water pistol but it doesn't stop them coming in if they can't see me. I suppose if the neighbours complain they're going home drenched, at least you can say that proves its them.

Chickabiddybex

People should keep their cats inside unless they live on a farm.

browneyedbazzi

A water pistol will not hurt the cat (unless you're thinking of something like Boris's water cannons!). My mom used to put cayenne pepper in the garden because cats don't like the smell - it's expensive in supermarkets but you might be able to bulk buy fairly cheaply from an Asian shop.

I've not tried it myself but these get decent reviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0077LW0M6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=479289247&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000NR8Q1U&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0N868FF7BFFPNDS7433P

I wonder if they work on foxes?

tonycottee

Chickabiddybex wrote: »

People should keep their cats inside unless they live on a farm.

Are you in the habit of posting the 1st random thought that comes into your head?

MarkBargain

Cats have a right to roam, and the owners do not have to come round to clean up your garden even if it is their cats. Naturally cats try to bury their doings, but if there are a lot of cats in one area and few places to go, that is more difficult for them.

If you hurt a cat you could be prosecuted for cruelty.

The Cat Protection League website states:

"Neighbours are most often upset by cats toileting in their garden; you can encourage your cat to use your own garden by providing a good toileting site within your own boundaries. A good toileting site for a cat is somewhere with easily raked material, which is also private and secluded. Digging over an area that is enclosed by bushes and easily accessible from the house could well be enough to encourage toileting closer to home."

System

Chickabiddybex wrote: »

People should keep their cats inside unless they live on a farm.

no wonder the mse boards are going to pot if that's meant as a serious comment !

warehouse

If there is poo on your lawn then the chances are it's foxes, not cats.

MamaMoo_2

Right, I have been having a similar problem.
So far, the following are working for me....
-Citronella essential oil (not the stuff for oil lamps) along the fence.
-A length of string about 6" above the top of the fence (stops them being able to balance)
-cat repellant crystals and powdered pepper sprinkled throughout the garden.

My next door neighbour is also having some success with Lion poo pellets...