Gravel being used as litter tray?

Frank99

I loved my new small flame red gravel bed which i had laid recently until the local cats started using it as a litter tray. I have had to put chicken wire flat down on top of the gravel which has so far done the trick as they can't dig on it but wondering if that is the only solution.

This does not seem to happen with the neighbours large Plum Slate version i suppose due to it's size.

Heedtheadvice

Frequently scatter pepper and chile powder. They don't like it!


No doubt somebody will not like the idea........


They also do not like Garlic powder but that is not recommended in open areas as it is poisonous to dogs.

Ant555

I previously had a similar problem with something fouling my driveway.

Search for a cat repellent that contains garlic (post above already suggests garlic) - I had some that was a liquid in a typical household spray container and although it was quite (very) whiffy when first sprayed, as it was outside, this didnt last long.

I kept the bottle outside and sprayed a very tiny amount every couple of days - my fouling problem disappeared - could be coincidence but could equally have been the product.

Have a search for garlic cat repellent spray online - mine was originally from from Wilko a few years ago but the product they sell the last time I checked is a completely different one now and I dont think has garlic in it.

Hope this helps

RelievedSheff

Chilli powder and pepper are very effective at deterring cats and also non toxic to other animals.

Niv

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Frequently scatter pepper and chile powder. They don't like it!


No doubt somebody will not like the idea........


They also do not like Garlic powder but that is not recommended in open areas as it is poisonous to dogs.

Garlic is also poisonous to cats so I would only suggest the sprays that contain garlic extract rather than garlic powder itself.

Cyclamen

We buy 'Silent Roar' it's a lion dung extract that we scatter on flower beds and our gravel under plants.

It works well for us but is pricey although does seem to last quite a while.

Rusty_Shackleton

Frank99 wrote: »

I loved my new small flame red gravel bed which i had laid recently until the local cats started using it as a litter tray. I have had to put chicken wire flat down on top of the gravel which has so far done the trick as they can't dig on it but wondering if that is the only solution.

This does not seem to happen with the neighbours large Plum Slate version i suppose due to it's size.

I use a plastic version of chicken wire on our house plants to stop our cats digging in the pots, it's the only thing that really deters a bit of diigging!

You can make the chicken wire more acceptable visually though, try burying it under a thin layer of your gravel. The cats will only try to dig into it a couple of times before they get the hint.

The only maintenance will be re-covering the mesh every now and then. Much less faff than buying and spraying anything regularly - and as others have mentioned, garlic is toxic to cats, please don't try to deter them with it.

Heedtheadvice

Thanks for those mentioning garlic's toxicity to cats. I do not like cats particularly but have no wish to kill them so will take note!
Mind you if they continue to foul my garden they can expect deterrents such as harmless spays, the garden hose turned on them or a kick up the backside!!


I fail to understand why cat lovers sometimes think we should tolerate their damage or excretions whilst we do not with dogs!

CARRYONFILM12

You don't need to kick them up the backside.

Just screech at them. They run away.

As to cat lovers telling us to put with it they are basically right. Cats have the right to roam, dogs don't.

alanobrien

Frank99 wrote: »

This does not seem to happen with the neighbours large Plum Slate version i suppose due to it's size.

Yes, they don't seem to like anything over 20mm.

As already stated chilli powder works a treat and moves them on elsewhere without harm.

Niv

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

Thanks for those mentioning garlic's toxicity to cats. I do not like cats particularly but have no wish to kill them so will take note!
Mind you if they continue to foul my garden they can expect deterrents such as harmless spays, the garden hose turned on them or a kick up the backside!!


I fail to understand why cat lovers sometimes think we should tolerate their damage or excretions whilst we do not with dogs!

Garden hose sounds like a good idea but in reality it will teach them not to come in the garden when you are there but when you are not there they wont get hosed, so best to stick with solutions that are left in place 24/7 (and of course are safe to cats et al).