Cats in the garden

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.

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 !!!!

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?

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.