Can You Stop Cats Using Your Garden as a Toilet?

Whether you are a cat lover or not, you cannot avoid the fact that kitty poo in your garden is really undesirable and annoying, especially if you are a keen gardener and enjoy watching your flowers and vegetables bloom. There is nothing more frustrating than witnessing a beloved bed being dug and discarded due to pussy cat pooping. Besides this, cat poo is also harmful to humans, especially children.

So how do you resolve this problem? There are lots of technical methods available on the market, but many prefer to stick with the more traditional ways of repelling unwanted cats from their garden.

Firstly, the technical methods, some of which aren't for most animal lovers. Whilst they do not cause a cat any harm, some can cause "discomfort" and it really depends on how determined you are to keep your garden pristine as to whether this is acceptacle to you.

Ultrasonic Cat Deterrent Systems detect a cat's movement which triggers the scarer to send out a sudden loud burst of high pitched sound which cats cannot tolerate - apparently. The Catwatch Ultrasonic Deterrent is the only RSPB recommended one on the market. This method does have it's limitations, especially if you have a large or irregularly shaped garden, when it would cost a small fortune installing sensors to cover your whole garden to keep the moggies away!

Water Jets are another form of deterent commonly used which are triggered when a cat passes through infared sensors releasing a three-second burst of water. As we know most cats detest water but there are some that will still tolerate it. Most cats will avoid this area when this is apparent.

Repellent spikes are another, less pleasant, option, as these will cause "discomfort". They are designed to prevent cats from sitting or climbing on walls and fences and then getting into the garden. Naturally, at first, a cat will have to experience these spikes before realising that it is a no go area. An uneven wire on top of the wall would be much better suited.

Hand-held Ultrasonic Scarers, are a portable scarer similar to the ones mentioned above. These have the benefit of enabling you to be specific in deterring certain cats, especially if you are a cat owner yourself.

More traditional methods are my preference. It is easier to maintain these as most of which are everyday materials. You are also being more environmentally friendly too.

Scatter Crystals offer a harmless, but very effective way of deterring the most persistent cats. Cats are fussy and don't like walking on certain uneven materials. So by mulching the area and adding some extra uneven materials e.g. pine cones or a complete stone mulch, you will almost certainly distract kitty from entering the area.

If you are about to start a new bed, then the best way to start is to lay chicken wire on top of the soil, as cats will seldom walk over this. It will also allow you to cut into the wire to plant your flowers.

You could also save some money; instead of buying an automatic water jet, simply use a water pistol or spray bottle to wet the cats as you see them in the garden!

As well as water, cats are most fastidious about smells. The commercial repellent is a powder combination of other animal scents, including the urine of other predators that cats fear e.g. the fox. This repellent you can sprinkle around the garden. It is usually organic so it will not harm other animals, children or plants. Other smelly products can be sprinkled around but you do have to be careful because some such as cayenne pepper can be harmful to cats. Moth balls are toxic, so you'll need to put them in a covered jar, making a few holes in the lid.

Other more natural methods include planting lavender, rue and penny royal (also harmful to cats if eaten). There is also coleus canine which has proved to be a massive hit. This plant deters cats, dogs, rabbits & foxes. Its foliage stinks and is only noticed by humans when it is touched; thankfully it looks lovely as it blooms blue flowers in the summer. Care should be taken when planting, as some plants can be harmful to pets.

The Cat's Protection League recommends diluted surgical spirit spread over the area, trying not to get it on plants. Over time it will also be washed away so it will need to be topped up. It is also good for soaking into wood fences to repel before the cat gets to the garden.

You could also try Olbas Oil on teabags, grated coal tar soap, and any citrus smells or rinds. Some people also recommend lion poo, which of course is not always readily available. Another option would be to plant catnip plants with a sandbox next to them to try to encourage them to do their business in just one area.

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