Neighbours Cats Using My Garden As A Toilet

[chessington]

Does anyone know how I can stop the neighbours cats using my garden as a toilet?
I have grandchildren that like to play out there, but need to clear loads and I mean loads of poo away first and some if it you cannot clear as so disgusting if you know what I mean TIA

[Old_Geezer]

That is usual.
I do wonder if folk know what their lack of training their cat inflicts on those around them.
I found some success spreading camphor around. It seems to put the cats off. Unsure about its safety re children though. You'd need to check.

[MichaelZZ]

Yes, I know exactly how to do it but when I gave the answer on AB back in June my reply was reported and removed.

[RATTER15]

I would catch the cat in a humane cat trap, leave it in there for a few hours before releasing it, that may put it off, otherwise there are cat deterrents that scream or squirt water as a sensor is passed by, frightening the cat.

[jomifl]

Apart from trapping it and taking it to cat rescue a sprinkler activated by a movement detector might work. Cats prefer to crap in dry soil so if you keep it wet they might find somewhere else. Cats form very strong habits so it may be difficult.

[RATTER15]

MichaelZZ, yes cruelty will not be condoned on this site I'm sure.

[ClaryS]

hang on a minute....cats are very clean and bury their poo, they never ever leave it on grass so are you expecting your grand children to play in your herbaceous borders? I agree they are a nuisance in veggie gardens and you can get powder to put down and if you see them chase them away . If you have a sandpit for your grandchildren then make sure you keep it covered.

[ClaryS]

jomifl why would you trap your neighbours cat the take it to a rescue centre?

[mallyh]

is it all cat poo and not foxs they do it anywhere ugh!

[Baldric]

///Apart from trapping it and taking it to cat rescue///

Already stated they know whose Cat it is, so that would be theft!

[RATTER15]

Baldric, I dont think it would be theft, once released into the wild it would be considered a wild animal I expect. I may be wrong.

ClaryS, cat poo is not always buried, some cats will just scrape a bit of dirt around but not always buried, I certainly would not want it in my garden where children are playing.

[friedgreentomato]

Catching a cat that you know is owned possibly collared and microchipped and then disposing of it in the country side is very cruel, the upset and trauma caused to the cat and their owners is huge!

[friedgreentomato]

Oh and by the way I know exactly where my cats go to the loo thank you.

Unlike some dog owners!!

[RATTER15]

friedgreentomato, I don't think anybody has suggested doing that!

[mallyh]

why can't at owners train their cat's to use a littertray .

[Purple_Popple]

Agreed with Ratter..a cat will not always bury their poo.. they leave uncovered to show dominence in a territory. Try sprinkling chilli powder (your vhildren wont like chilli either lol!!)...orange peel.. or lemon peel..or that green gel called 'get off' is good (citronella).

[Baldric]

///If cat owners can't be bothered to make sure that their cats don't sh1t in other peoples gardens///

You are obviously a person of great experience in Cat behaviour, so, if you would be kind enough to share your knowledge of cat training with us, it may go some way to reducing the problem.

[BlueToffee]

Oh no they don't ClaryS, not round here anyway. Our neighbours across the road have several cats, and I'm always cleaning their poo from my garden

[friedgreentomato]

Ratter I beg to differ - see below,

//Apart from trapping it and taking it to cat rescue //

//Baldric, I dont think it would be theft, once released into the wild it would be considered a wild animal //

[Barmaid]

There are a number of things on the market you can use - which you can buy from garden centres. I think they vary in effectiveness (stuff such as Scoot etc).

I've heard people trying orange peel, or lion poo.

The best way is to catch the cat at it and give it a good old squirt with the hosepipe. Do that a few times and it should put it off.

If you know where the cat's entry point is, you can always erect some barrier - eg to stop our cats going over the fence into next door's, we've strung wire above the fence line and put thick climbers up.