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Gardening

Cat fouling in my garden.

(53 Posts)
CAROLINEANNE1 Tue 01-Jul-25 10:57:01

Help. At great expense I converted my garden so I could plant in pots. I have a bad back and this was the only way I could continue my beloved hobby. New neighbours moved in and their cat is digging up my plants Fouling the pots , the earth. I tried a sensor alarm. No luck, tried garlic powder, no luck. My fence is not suitable for anti cat spikes. WHAT NEXT ?

Dee1012 Tue 01-Jul-25 11:03:06

I did read once that putting the peel of citrus fruits near plants helped, likewise sprinkling ground cinnamon around plants.

I've never tried it but maybe worth a go?

Lathyrus3 Tue 01-Jul-25 11:05:19

I do not know. It’s an going problem for those of us who love our garden, isn’t it?

Grandmabatty Tue 01-Jul-25 11:12:48

Chili powder. Chicken wire. A water pistol if you catch them

CariadAgain Tue 01-Jul-25 11:13:36

What was their response when you told them about this problem?

Have you told them what their cat is doing? If so - were they upset and concerned it's causing a problem or couldn't give a monkeys about it?

Do they have the type of boundary features (eg fences or pretty high walls) that those things can be attached to that go inwards into their own garden and that means the cat is able to go out into their garden - but can't climb out any further than that?

Magenta8 Tue 01-Jul-25 11:14:38

Silent Roar lion poo. Coleus Canina plants. Various sprays available online.

I have never tried any of them.

I love cats and but I do realise the damage they can do to gardens as I love gardening too.

Lathyrus3 Tue 01-Jul-25 11:25:52

My neighbours ( catless ones) tried Silent Roar. We both agreed the smell was so foul that we preferred cat wee😬

Samsara1 Tue 01-Jul-25 11:27:21

We have a cat scarer from Amazon. Some people don't like you using them but we don't like clearing up cat faeces on a daily basis either.

EkwaNimitee Tue 01-Jul-25 11:30:10

I’ve had this problem on my front lawn and border. What works for me is curry powder. They may move onto another spot but soon get the message if you keep at it.

Jaxjacky Tue 01-Jul-25 11:31:51

Ready ground black pepper worked for us, lots of it.

Gin Tue 01-Jul-25 11:45:41

We have a gang of cats that this week have killed two birds and a large frog. They act in unison to stalk. They also,poo on my vegetable patch. I love animals but am feeling quite murderous towards these felines! Does the cat scarer work Samseral? Do you need several around the garden? I have thought of getting a super soaker water pistol but do not want to be cruel. My neighbour to whom they belong complained to me that as we had a pond she was constantly getting presents of frogs from her dear pussycats.

Sallyforth Tue 01-Jul-25 12:02:31

Orange peel worked with my feline visitor.

Shelflife Tue 01-Jul-25 13:50:52

Cats hate water! Iove my cat but if she was being a nuisance to my neighbours I would be only too pleased if they sprayed her with water on a regular basis till she got the message! It not cruel and will not harm the cat - get the water pistol out.

Fairislecable Tue 01-Jul-25 15:08:50

A friend had cats fouling their lawn so after trial and error they bought a sensor that is attached to the hosepipe. If the sensor is activated it squirts in the direction of movement.

This has worked brilliantly its now possible to see the cats giving the garden a wide berth, tiptoeing on the fence around the edge.

No cats were injured by this treatment but obviously had a little surprise.

midgey Tue 01-Jul-25 17:34:16

I have used coffee grounds, they are frequently given away free from coffee shops. It has stopped my cat using the border under my window but as I was pretty liberal with it the smell was quite strong!

Role Tue 01-Jul-25 17:40:55

Dee1012

I did read once that putting the peel of citrus fruits near plants helped, likewise sprinkling ground cinnamon around plants.

I've never tried it but maybe worth a go?

Sorry Dee 1012, citrus peel doesn’t work … tried it.

Bluesmum Wed 02-Jul-25 13:47:06

There is a product you can buy called “Get off my Garden”, it’s readily available in most supermarkets and garden centres. It is very highly citrus scented jelly “crystals” that you scatter wherever you don’t want the cats to go and it really does work!

Lathyrus3 Wed 02-Jul-25 13:50:58

The trouble with all these products is that they involve quite a lot of expense because they have to be renewed constantly. It might be manageable for the OPs pots (depending on how many she has) but when it comes to a whole garden, it’s not really the solution.

StoneofDestiny Wed 02-Jul-25 13:57:18

Have a word with your neighbour.

GrannyBe Wed 02-Jul-25 14:13:48

I drape cheap plastic netting around the areas they get in. They don’t like walking on it. Trouble is I am forever tripping or getting caught up in it!

Maggieanne Wed 02-Jul-25 14:14:22

There is a cat that terrorises my two softies, I have a garden sprinkler placed strategically and as soon as my cat(s) run in, in a panic I just turn the tap on, that cat runs!

sazz1 Wed 02-Jul-25 14:18:30

My son had this hose with sensor. Worked very well but kept soaking the small grandchildren at the time.

cc Wed 02-Jul-25 14:20:45

Some people round here have had problems with what we assume are squirrels eating bulbs from pots, chicken wire seems to be the most effective deterent. I'm just hoping that it isn't rats!

nanna8 Wed 02-Jul-25 14:21:14

All the cats I have come across bury their poo. These cats must be very rough and common if they can’t be bothered doing that. Brought up badly ? 🐈‍⬛ 🐈

Ziggy62 Wed 02-Jul-25 14:48:00

We tried everything, egg shells, lion poo, smelly green stuff, different plants.

Finding cat poo in vegetable beds was the last straw. Bought large water pistol (type children use in water fights) did the trick. Cats weren't harmed but they soon got the message. Noisy ones seem to work best.