Cats wretched cats.....

[lettuceleaf]

This is a gardening issue and a pest issue, so I hope I've come to the right place. I am sure gardeners feel as strongly about this as I do.

Has anyone got ideas of how to stop cats getting into gardens.

My neighbour has 3 young cats and they all come into my garden. Consequently my large heather bush reeks of cat pee, my beds are roughed up and deposited upon, the branches of lilac bushes are decimated where the cats use them as climbing frames to get back into their own garden.

As if that wasn't enough, I'm fed up with scaping up feathers of poor unfortunates who come to my feeders. It's ground feeding birds that are at risk, although I have no bushes around, behind which these cats can hide. They are so sprightly, when they see me coming they dodge my chase and literally fly into the air landing and squashing the netting on the fence.

I have done everything I can think of: covered over plots with netting and brambles, put mesh and chicken wire on top of fences, put a cats-cradle of string where they come and go. I am now growing rambling roses by the fences, but they take time to become effective as a barrier.

I haven't bothered with ultrasonic equipment, pepper etc as I've heard none of that works. Also, I don't see owning my own cat as a solution.

Before I go out and buy a high-powered water gun, I wondered if anyone knew of a way of keeping them out permanently - apart from chopping off their legs... (Please note, this is not a serious consideration as I don't want to physically harm them, I just want the solution to keeping them out.) Anyone who knows the answer - your help please...

[Rixy]

Get two Springer spaniels Our garden used to be visited by every cat in the neighbourhood until we got the dogs, the rule is, if they are in our garden they are fair game funny how the cats seem to give our little garden a wide berth now

[WendyC]

We had a problem with next doors cat who kept coming in to see our cat who at 14 is not interested in a social life but is keen on protecting her territory. Consequently lots of fighting went on and a visit to the vet. I have managed to keep the garden visits to a minimum when I put the hose on "jet" and blasted her. After the first soaking I didn't see her for about 3 weeks. She has popped back a couple of times but a quick blast serves as a reminder. Good luck!

[rustylady]

I'm with Wendy on the hose solution. Won't harm them, but cats don't like getting wet

[ginger ninger]

I've found owning my own cat keep's ALL other cat's out of my garden. He'll chase/fight any that dare enter. But as R.L say's...cat's HATE getting wet. Have you tried telling your neighbour about the mess they make in your garden? Before I got Jinny I use to us wooden barbecue sticks all over my garden...cat's also HATE getting a spike up there jacksy. You can also put plastic spiky stuff on top of your fence, but I would only recommend you do this as a last resort. Although I love Jinny to bit's, I'd hate it if he poohed in anyone else's garden...I'd be so embarrassed.

[Two_Sheds]

We now have 3 cats using our front garden as a toilet, and Mr TS reported a bladdy cat in the back garden the other day, worrying the guinea pigs ... it either climbed over a 6ft fence or squeezed under the gate (5" gap).
I hate them, dirty animals

[two brews]

I have found putting a thick layer of petroleum jelly on the top of fences and gates has stopped the 4 cats from next door coming in my back garden.Unfortunatly I have a shared front garden which I do not do much with as it is FULL of cat muck.I did ask the neighbours would they clean up after there animals but was told their cats could go wherever they liked by law.These people have a dish outside their front door that gets a tin of food in it everyday.That is what they think looking after animals is.I have had all kinds of half dead birds and animals left on my doorstep as none of the cats have bells.Good luck in ridding yourself of these dirty animals.

[FionaH]

If you use the search function there are many many threads on this subject.

General Warning: Please remember there are many cat lovers on this forum and any suggestion of harming cats, shooting cats or making them into slippers will result in this thread being closed.
Thanks in advance

[Hillwalker]

I know this is going to be an emotive subject, as I appreciate there are a lot of members here that are devout cat owners and are therefore naturally biased - no offence.

The fact is, they are a growing problem - In 1980 there were 4.9 million cats in the UK; in 2010 there were 10.3 million. Apart from fouling and digging in other people's gardens, they cause a huge problem to our wildlife. Every year a staggering amount of birds and animals are unnecessarily killed by the domestic cat. Collar bells aren't infallible, at best reducing the number of wildlife killed by between 31% - 42%.

So, please, although you may love your cat, don't advise other people to get one to keep others away. It's an irresponsible suggestion that just compounds a national problem.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Whoah, hold up there. When was the cat census done? Cats although independent beasties are really loving pets and are valued members of many families who shock horror even provide them with toilet facilities. There are many factors affecting the wildlife numbers and it is extremely unfair to lay all the blame at the foot of the moggie. Only this morning, I remarked to my better half about the reduction in our dawn chorus which has been caused by the local council cutting down a nearby tree plantation and not by the local cats. We are under going a period of climate change and again that has nothing to do with cats but may well be affecting wildlife as of course as are the ever changing agricultural practices which blanket cover whole areas with insecticides/herbicides removing the foodstuffs and habitats of wildlife.

Yes, cats can be a pest in the garden, but they are easily discouraged by a simple shoosh or a squirt of water. lets leave it at that eh.

[Rixy]

Dogs are best !

[ginger ninger]

I know this is going to be an emotive subject, as I appreciate there are a lot of members here that are devout cat owners and are therefore naturally biased - no offence.

The fact is, they are a growing problem - In 1980 there were 4.9 million cats in the UK; in 2010 there were 10.3 million. Apart from fouling and digging in other people's gardens, they cause a huge problem to our wildlife. Every year a staggering amount of birds and animals are unnecessarily killed by the domestic cat. Collar bells aren't infallible, at best reducing the number of wildlife killed by between 31% - 42%.

So, please, although you may love your cat, don't advise other people to get one to keep others away. It's an irresponsible suggestion that just compounds a national problem.

Yadda yadda yadda...we get it...you don't like cat's . Why don't you start a campaign to introduce "The Dangerous Cat's Act 2011"

I think it's about time you STOPPED putting ALL cat's into the same cat-egory and realised NOT ALL cat's are the same.
In my experience with my own cat, a bell or 2 dose warn the birds that he's about. In the time he's had bells on his collar I have found NO dead birds in my garden. And before you say "he eats them somewhere else" cat's fetch gifts to the owners and I'm not talking bubble bath and chocolate.
I would say most if not all the cat owners on this forum are responsible owners, so yes...it is always going to be a touchy subject where cat's are concerned and yes I do take offence when ALL cat's are classed as the same.

[Hillwalker]

AP - I'm not disputing the fact that some cats can be affectionate and loved by their owners. I know, we used to have one. However, the reality is they are a growing problem. Now, as a cat owner, you might not like to hear that, but the evidence and figures are freely available.

The demise of our urban wildlife isn't due to control chemicals. Domestically, we use far fewer today, particularly with the increasing movement towards organic methods. If anything, with the increase in gardening popularity, we provide more habitat and food sources in our towns and gardens.

Regarding climate change: Our average temperatures are getting warmer.

Providing a litter tray does not mean they won't foul or dig elsewhere.

Cat's are not "easily discouraged by a simple shoosh or a squirt of water." - You have to be there, ready-armed to spray them. They'll still return.

[Comfreyfan]

Yes it is an emotive subject - but I strongly object to cats (including well loved and affectionate cats) trespassing on my property and fouling my vegetable beds - that's my food.

And to be fair I don't think anyone is suggesting that all cats are the same, I have one cat neighbour I never see, however another neigbour assures me their cat only uses an indoor litter tray - but I've seen it messing in my asparagus bed.

My mum has been very upset by the number of birds killed in her garden this year, she asked the cat owner if they'd put a bell on the collar to at least give the birds a chance - but the owner says the cat doesn't like it - don't suppose the birds are too chuffed either.

[Hillwalker]

ginger ninger - Despite what you might think, I'm not attacking you. In fact, in the interest of forum harmony, despite your inaccuracies, I backed-off replying to a previous post you made.

I never said all cats are the same, but most are. The majority of cat owners don't place bells on their pet's collars and, as pointed out previously, they're far from being 100% effective.

To think that all cats are simply cute, fluffy, fun-loving creatures who don't do any harm is fantasy. You and other cat owners might not like to hear that....