Cats in the garden

It looks like you've tried most things have you tried a water pistol every time you see them? There isn't really much else you can try cats will be cats I'm afraid it is very unfair to those who don't have or like cats.

I have managed to stop all cats entering the garden. We had the fence replaced with a completely smooth metal fence. A cat could jump down into the garden but they can not climb back up as there is no way they can get grip or leverage. It is a very expensive deterrent but I needed a new fence anyway, google Colourfence. Grans in Australia will be familiar with this type of fence.

I have the same problem and can't find an answer. Have tried all sorts - sonic deterrants, lion poo, plants that cats are supposed to run a mile from (as if!) - water pistol is a deterrent if you can lie in wait for them, because no matter how quietly you open a door to go out and squirt them, they're off like a shot. We have an open plan front lawn with an area of shrubbery on one corner that pre-dates our occupancy. Cats spray regularly on this and it smells disgusting. DH has tried spraying Jeyes Fluid on it, but it doesn't make a ha'porth of difference. Removing it is not an option.

Harrigan. Wouldn't that mean that you got all the cats marooned in your garden, able to get in but not out?

I've not tried it myself, but I've heard coffee grind and/or chilli powder works.

Nothing works, not even two fairly large Labrador dogs.

I've often wondered if I dare scoop their poop and put in in the gardens where the cats live. I think it might be a fair exchange.

I have to admit that the battery powered scarer did the trick for us. Do you know how they are getting in? Someone told me that if you put string along the top of your fences and gate (attach so it runs in a line about 15cm above top of fence) then it can help to stop the cats being able to balance on top of the fence, so stops them from trying to get over that way. If you happen to be in the garden when they get in then shake an old tin can filled with coins or pebbles at them - they don't like that noise.

We have 7 year old springer spaniel who hates cats. We just open the door and find that the dog gets some exercise and cats soon leave never to return. Please note no animals are harmed with this method. Also quite effective with unwanted callers too.

We have given up. Our neighbour, who own 3 cats, is an electrician and has installed lighting, an oven, a shower etc. for us free of charge as compensation for the cats. Fair enough exchange for a bit of poop scooping.
When we had a cat he used their garden!

There are quite a few cats around where I live and very few proper "gardens". My neighbours who have cats have had their gardens paved and so their cats use my garden as their toilet. It really bothers me that I have soil scattered all over where they dig and cat poo to clean up on a regular basis. Personally I think responsible cat owners should train their animals to use litter trays or they should not have them. I am sure they would be thrilled if I threw their cat poo over the fence onto their paving stones.

I like cat visitors, they get a pat on the head and a kind word.
I never garden without gloves on, and just cover any poo with a spadeful of earth/ compost it will rot down soon enough.

shysal the cats must be clever, only one ever tried jumping into the garden and had to stay and wait to be released, he must have told all the others that it was a nasty garden.

We can't change all the fencing as we would have to put up too much (too expensive), so I eagerly await any answers.

The only successful deterrent we have found was a beloved small dog who loathed cats - just mention the word and he would hurtle around the garden on patrol. They seemed to get the message.
Sadly, he is in doggie heaven and we don't want to get another one as we are away too much (when the cats have the garden to their hearts' content )

Have tried the water pistol method but even a very large one from JL did not reach.

i bought my DH for his birthday a sensor activated thingy which fits onto the hose pipe. He hasn't set it up yet so I don't know if it'll work. Lion poo worked for a bit, but only until it rained and it does stink!

The best defence we've found is that a foot high strip of wire netting on top of a fence discourages most moggies as they can't land on it, they have to clear the fence in one go. But it's not the most attractive solution.

We have a problem with two particular cats who see our anti cat measures as a challenge and not content with taking over the garden keep trying to get into the house and sheds as well, and I'm concerned we may go out /away and inadvertently trap one inside. I'd hate to come home to a desicated corpse, I know they're both well loved pets.

Rosesarered - I can't give you the science bit, but cat poo doesn't rot down and is best removed from the soil. Also, the smell of it will attract other cats into the area.

I agree that the poo doesn't rot down I have accidentally picked it up many times whist planting etc. They also make a mess digging in borders and pots. I can't see the problem with teaching them to use a litter tray. You wouldn't expect a strange dog to come and sh&t in your garden so what's the difference?

I agree gillybob,has crossed my mind many times that my dog should visit the cat owners garden and leave her a present each time her cat leaves me one !!!!

Not sure if I said it on this thread, but worth repeating:

Dogs have to be kept under control but cats have the right to roam.
Apparently. Unless the law has changed.

Not that I agree

The law in this case is, I think, being sensible. A cat is a law unto itself and most are pretty much impossible to control.

I have nothing against cats... we've shared our house with two in the past and enjoyed their company. But when we had our last cat he defended our garden (his territory) against all comers. Without him our garden became shared territory for seven or eight local cats. We had hoped our new neighbours cat would include our garden in her territory and defend it, but she's too small and timid to be any use - which is probably why she apparently goes home to use her litter tray!

So I continue with my wire netting fence around the veggie plot and careful undergrowth clearing around the bird feeders.

Well, rot down or not ( and it must do at some point, it's not a plastic bag!)
if you sling some compost or soil over it nothing will be harmed.Always do the garden wearing gloves, because there is really no way to keep cats out of gardens.

I agree with rosesarered. There isn't much you can do about cats pooing in your garden (although I suppose you could permanently station yourself in the garden with a water pistol and that might work).

My son, his partner and my husband are always moaning about cats in the garden. It seems like a waste of energy to me to get so uptight about something that is irresolvable.

Why does everyone get so miffed about everything these days? I always pick up after my dog, but I even had someone shouting at me when my dog wee'd on the corner of a front garden wall. It seems petty to me - the rain will wash it off. I don't remember people going on like this years ago.

For the first 3 years of her life, my cat shared a first floor apartment with me so did all her business in a litter tray indoors.
Then 2 years ago we moved to a house, and I gradually moved the litter tray outdoors since there isn't really a place for it to live indoors. Up until about a month ago she was still using it, but now seems to have stopped. I'm guessing the neighbourhood cats have taught her to go in gardens.
They don't usually go where there's plenty of stuff growing - they tend to like a bare patch of earth to dig up and bury it in.
Having just dug over my veg patch at the weekend and planted some winter beans, I needed to discourage both my cat and the neighbourhood cats from going there. So I've laid some of those trellis things you can get from the 99p shop down on top. In fact I've used the diamond pattern as a guide to where to plant each bean! And so far no sign of cat poo...

I find it difficult to plant properly wearing gloves although it plays havoc with your finger nails.

My problem is that I am one of the very few people where I live who actually has a garden. My neighbours have all paved theirs and they virtually all have cats who all use my garden as their toilet. I am also mvery wary about leaving my back door open as they tend to wander in.