A neighbour’s cat keeps using my garden as its VIP bathroom – how can I stop it happening?

I’ve lately moved into a brand new home with my husband and 17-month-old daughter.

Day by day I come throughout a number of cat poos on my garden, driveway and in my flower beds. It’s got to the purpose the place there are too many to clear up day by day. 

My fast neighbour appears to have many felines, however I additionally know different shut neighbours have them too, so it is onerous to put the blame. 

I would not thoughts a lot if I did not have a younger little one. I stay within the nation and my backyard is an honest measurement, so sprinkling anti-cat smells is not going to work. Is there something I can do?

Jane Denton, of That is Cash, replies: Having reviewed the photographic proof you despatched me, my first thought was is that this cat unwell or require different dietary preparations.

That, nevertheless, is a quandary for an additional day.

The variety of pet cats throughout Britain is estimated to be within the area of 12.5million, so whereas your question could spark some stifled sniggers, I believe you will be removed from alone in encountering this downside. 

By nature, cats get pleasure from roaming and may be very territorial. This will likely assist clarify why a cat or cats hold returning to your backyard. 

You aren’t positive the place the cat or cats in query stay, which makes every little thing extra tough. 

Nevertheless, if you have not achieved already, it is value speaking to your fast neighbour who has plenty of cats to clarify the issue. They could even have some ideas for you, or it could immediate them into considering extra rigorously about their cat litter preparations.  

I’ve spoken to 2 cat behaviour specialists to get their take. 

Nicky Trevorrow, behaviour supervisor at Cats Safety, says: Cats are free roaming animals, so it isn’t unusual for a neighbour’s cat to pop into your backyard. 

Whereas more often than not this is not an issue, it may be irritating once they select to rest room in your land, notably when you’ve got a younger household.

It is fascinating that you simply point out that a number of the poos are showing in your garden and driveway. 

This is not normally a pure cat behaviour, except they’re notably territorial or having a dispute with neighbouring cats. 

They have a tendency to want privateness quite than an open area, and can normally select a spot the place they’ll dig and canopy their mess. 

It leads me to marvel if a few of these deposits could also be left by different animals, particularly as you reside within the nation. This may very well be foxes, and perhaps establishing a wildlife digicam would show you how to test this.

You additionally point out the flower beds, and for those who set up that is being brought on by cats, you can focus your attentions on these areas. 

Sturdy smells corresponding to citrus fruit – lemon, lime and orange peelings – can doubtlessly work effectively, as does sprinkling cinnamon on the soil. 

In bigger areas, you may select one thing bulkier like rooster manure, which will even be an actual enhance in your vegetation. You should buy giant baggage pretty cheaply at backyard centres, so this is able to be value a go.

Cats want to decide on areas of naked soil to rest room, so when you’ve got any empty beds, it might be value protecting them with close-knit planting, pure obstacles like twigs, or ornamental planters. 

Or you can plant with one thing like lavender, which has a number of advantages – cats dislike the odor, it is pretty quick rising and bushy so can refill a niche rapidly, it seems stunning and is inexpensive. Different vegetation that cats dislike are lemon balm, rosemary and shrub roses.

One other concept – and maybe another suited to cat homeowners themselves – is to create a delegated ‘poo’ space. 

An space of naked earth, with some added compost and child-safe sand, will encourage them to rest room nearer to dwelling and forestall them inflicting a nuisance to your neighbours. 

In case you’re capable of determine your feline offender, it may very well be value chatting to your neighbour to ask if they’ll do that.

Do not forget that cats love privateness and secluded areas, so they could be much less tempted to go to your backyard if they’re recurrently disrupted. In case you see one within the backyard, stroll in direction of them clapping your fingers loudly – chances are high they will scarper and can finally hand over on making visits. 

As a final resort, you may spray water close to them, as cats actually do not like getting moist. Do not spray them instantly, only a squirt close by will likely be sufficient to place them off.

Lastly, as you point out you have got a younger little one – be sure you hold sand pits effectively lined when not in use, as these are a tempting invitation for cats.

Within the know: Cat behaviorist Alex Value 

Alex Value, a cat behaviorist primarily based in London, says: Cats are naturally territorial, and their behaviours are deeply tied to their instincts. 

When a neighbourhood cat chooses your backyard as its go-to rest room spot, it isn’t random—it is their manner of speaking.

By pooping there, the cat is marking its territory, abandoning scent indicators from glands in its paws and anal space to let different cats know, ‘That is my area.’

Understanding why cats roam and choose sure spots may also help make sense of their behaviour. 

It typically boils all the way down to a mix of things: discovering meals, following their looking instincts, or just searching for a snug place to do their enterprise. 

Gardens with comfortable, unfastened soil are particularly inviting as a result of they really feel just like the desert sands the place their wild ancestors roamed. In case your flower beds are freshly tilled, they’re mainly a cat’s dream litter field.

To maintain cats out of your backyard humanely, a couple of considerate methods can go a good distance.

Bodily boundaries are inclined to work effectively. Movement-activated sprinklers can shock cats with out scaring them an excessive amount of, branches organized crisscross, and even upside-down carpet runners with the spiked facet up could make the realm much less inviting. 

Protecting naked spots with river rocks, pine cones, or sticks is an alternative choice—they make the bottom uncomfortable to stroll on and dig up, however protected for the cats.

Smells also can assist. Cats have a robust sense of odor, so sure scents can naturally hold them away. 

Attempt planting lavender and rosemary or placing down contemporary orange or lemon peels, natural citrus scented sprays and even vinegar. 

Enzyme sprays, like Nature’s Miracle, can erase the scents cats go away behind, serving to break the cycle of return visits. 

You can additionally use motion-activated lights or cameras to determine the place the cats are most lively and focus your efforts there.

Remember sensible steps, like securing garbage bins and eradicating any meals that may be attracting them. 

If the cat’s proprietor, having a pleasant chat might additionally assist. They may be capable to arrange a delegated rest room spot for his or her cat, like a sandy patch of their backyard, and practice the cat to make use of it or re-look at their present litterbox arrange. Maybe there aren’t sufficient packing containers or it isn’t all cleaned every day. 

Constructive reinforcement, like rewarding the cat for utilizing their designated spot, can work wonders and enhance relationships along with your neighbours on the identical time.