How to stop cats fouling your garden

If you have a cat or not this can affect all of us if there are cats in the neighbourhood, fouling in gardens and planters. So how do you stop yours or your neighbours cat from fouling where it shouldn’t. Gardens and planters are appealing to cats as the offer ample soft soil to cover up what they left behind. Most cats do cover up their faeces but some don’t and this can be a problem. Most peoples complaints about cats by neighbours are generally about cats fouling especially if the cat is yours. Cat faeces like any faeces in your garden is not appealing not only can it smell and leave a mess it could be a danger to your family and children.

Please be aware the cat faeces can be harmful to humans if contact occurs, you must wash your hands immediately and try not to touch your face until your hand are clean. Common risks from cat faeces include toxoplasmosis which is an infection caused by a parasite that can only happen when ingested and E. Coli. Toxoplasma gondii occurs when there is contact with cat faeces and doesn’t wash properly and  anyone with compromised immune systems is at high risk of this infection.

E. Coli bacteria is relatively harmless as it occurs in most animal and human intestines but some strains can cause illness if the faeces is ingested and can range from diarrhoea and death. The results can be avoided by washing your hands thoroughly after being in contact with cat waste. There is also a risk from cat diarrhoea but you should minimise all risk by taking care of cat waste cleanly and try to prevent the cat from using the garden as a litter tray.

So how can we reduce this risk

Unfortunately there isn’t a single answer to the problem of cat fouling gardens. If your neighbour is approachable you could mention it to them but remember where there are cats the rodent generally keep away so there is a compromise. You may want to try some of the ideas below or if you have any of your own please post your comments.

• If the  cat fouling your garden is your own, make sure there is clean  litter.
• Speak (nicely) to the owner they may be able to help.
• Try planting shrubs or placing potted plants around the area the cat likes best. Mulch, gravel, or rocks in the garden also make the garden a little less appealing for the cat.
• Fresh manure or blood meal can be an effective deterrent; however the smell may affect you worse than the cat faeces.
• For something a little more pleasant, sprinkle a heavy helping of cinnamon, fresh coffee grounds, or citrus peel in your garden every few days.
• Other natural deterrents include citrus essential oil (lemon or orange), garlic cloves, vinegar, red wine vinegar, and even pine cones. A good old-fashioned squirt gun or sprinkler might also do the trick.

Whatever you try to prevent cats fouling your garden remember when using spices or oils, it is wise to make sure the soil is damp so that it sticks and sometimes damp soil is enough to keep them away. Cats are naturally cleanly animals and prefer not to get dirty.

Please note we do note condone the use of any cruel methods as this could cause distress and pain for the animal as well as bad feelings amongst neighbours and natural as some of them may be. Cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and chilli powder can actually end up harming the cat as they burn. Other repellents such as mothballs, laxatives, and poisons will only be a danger.