How to stop the cat pooing on the veg?

[Bramble_killer]

There's a neighbourhood cat that thinks my freshly dug garden is the perfect toilet

Can anyone recommend anything that will stop the cat? I've never had a pet so no idea what to do

[Geordie]

hit it with a shovel

[BumbleB]

Hi, our neighbour has 3 cats. We have had to make netted lids for our raised beds and also we lay netting and large stones across newly tug soil. The cats love fresh soil but they do not like wet soil, so keep a hose at the ready.

Good luck

[BumbleB]

Ooh just replied and lost it!!

We have 3 cats next door and we have had to put netted lids on our raised beds. Also we have to put nets held down with rock or brick on any newly dug area. The cats love fresh clean soil but they do not like wet soil, so keep the hose at the ready.

Good luck

[Sweepster]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ats_31450.html

[Alice]

I net my beds to keep other peoples cats off. Blinkin nuisance.

It's a matter of ignorance on the part of cat owners. They think they can just open their doors and let their cats go and do their toilet anywhere they like.

I used to have cats. It's easy to train them where to go for their toilet. An indoor or outdoor litter tray and train them to use it.
I had an outdoor litter area and the cats were trained to use it from kittens.
Outdoor litter material can be bought now.

It just makes me mad that other people just let their cats scratch up my beds and I have the nuisance of nets to keep them off.

It's not bloody cats, it's bloody ignorant cat owners.

[chellybobs]

We have many cats in our culdesac and i really dont like them (sorry cat lovers!). As a mum to small children they are so annoying when you send the kids out to play and they keep pooing on the garden - its unhealthy and annoys me as we dont have a cat so its not our decision to have poo in the garden. Ive got a good mind to take Harry's nappy off and send him into the owners gardens and let him poo there, see how they like it lol!
Chelle x

[BarleySugar]

I know I have cats, so I am probably biased, but I don't have dogs, and still have to deal with the poo they leave behind in my front garden. My cats are litter trained, indoors and out, but they will still use a convenient spot if they get the chance. They tend to find my garden more desirable than the neighbours though, as the soil is better cultivated, so softer for their paws

People will not stop keeping cats, or letting them out, so, accepting that however annoying that is, preventative action is the way to go, in the same way as protecting crops from cabbage whites, pigeons etc.
I have a very prickly rose, Gertrude Jekyll, whose prunings I save every year. These are cut up and used across the tops of my bulb pots and seed beds. The only thing is, I have to be very careful myself, as they retain their prickles very well.
Cats do not like the feel of netting under their feet, so usually this will keep them from 'going' where they shouldn't. However you may well get the odd one who will just poo on the top.
There are plastic spiky fence toppings which are designed to keep cats out of the garden, but they may well be expensive if you have a lot of fence. Perhaps if the cat belongs to your neighbour they would be willing to share the cost.
I find mine do not like the 'Stay Off' gel, so use that to 'train' them not to go where I don't want them too.
As a cat owner, I would not be offended if a person used a water pistol to deter my cat from 'going' in their garden. I would be upset if they threw stones etc though.

[Two_Sheds]

I've just found 2 fresh cat turds on my front lawn. Not buried, just left on the grass. Nice.

[Bramble_killer]

I've just found 2 fresh cat turds on my front lawn. Not buried, just left on the grass. Nice.

At least you can see it and pick it up, OH was planting and stuck his finger right into a fresh turd.

Was not pleasant.

Thanks for all the ideas, we'll get some netting and some sharp stuff and some of the gel. I don't do things by halves!!

And on the same topic, saw some squirrels scrabbling away at the veg patch this morning!! ARGH

[Sweepster]

And on the same topic, saw some squirrels scrabbling away at the veg patch this morning!! ARGH

The cats will chase the squirrels off

[JamesA]

My little whippet chases off the cats and squirrels . In fact she changes off anything, joggers are a favourite if they run past while we are out in the fields, now that IS funny :P

[growbag]

Stick twiggy sticks in the ground & weave black cotton around them like an inviable wab - Stopped them using my garden!

[Creemteez]

Cats are said to hate the smell of oranges, so eigther leave orange peel about (bit untidy-looking), or dry our a few used teabags then soak 'em in orange oil (health food shops etc) and leave them dotted about.
I tried the same trick using teabags sprayed with Ralgex or Deep Heat - both of which cats hate - and that worked quite well, though I sniffed 'em the other day and the smell has worn off quite a bit.
BTW, if you put the old teabags in a plastic bag, then spray into that and tie it up for half an hour, A. The bags get more thoroughly coated and B. Your entire house won't smell like a Rugby locker room at half time!

[Gryfon]

I've put wooden kebab sticks in my bed with the pointy bit sticking up