Cats

Davesnave

Elsewhere wrote: »

"stop the cats getting in by means of a physical barrier."

I agree with you, Davesnave, that's the obvious thing to to - but why should the work and expense be the responsibility of the non cat-owner?

It was I earlier ranting about "Australian rules" cat owning - their website does give detailed instructions for fences to keep cats in -

http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/cats/cat-confinement-enclosures-and-fencing/cat-proof-fencing

Anyhow, I suspect to keep them out might be harder - wouldn't the overhang have to be on the neighbour's side of the fence? And what if the neighbour had trees or outbildings near the boundary from which the cat could jump?

Err, isn't the rather obvious answer that we don't live in Australia, and that ranting about others' responsibility, or lack of it, is as useful as planting a particular species of coleus?

A cat will be reluctant to go in where it can't easily get out again, so the overhang/boundary thing is surmountable if it really bothers anyone.

Where I live, badgers and foxes are a fact of life, so I get on with protecting vulnerable livestock from them. There is no margin for error there, but in a cat situation, just making it all too much trouble is probably good enough.

I dare say the badgers could probably dig and bulldoze their way into my chicken orchard somehow, given the time and incentive, but there are so many other things to do. They have eyed it up and decided not to bother, and I think cats are even more likely to seek the easy option.

In_Debt_Bet

I bought a couple of the ultrasonic cat repellant devices from Amazon about a year ago and have had no trouble with cats since. I was having to clear up cat poo every day and none of the chemical deterrents worked, I think they cost me about £15 each but it was definitely money well spent. I have to say the experience also put off ever wanting to own a cat.

Dreamscometrue

A water blaster works well and is great fun if you can catch them! I've had less problems with the neighbours cat since Snuffles, my regularly visiting hedgehog started coming for dinner. Maybe the cat got prickled or doesn't like the scent of Snuffles!

dandelionclock30

Just dig the poo into the flower bed it will decompose. Its only the same as manure anyway.
I honestly dont see what all the fuss is about.

Dreamscometrue

Toxoplasma gondii found in cat poo is toxic, especially to kids. Also unlike hedgehog poo, cat poo stinks.