I recently moved to a new house with my husband and 17-month-old daughter.
Every day I meet several cat poop on my lawn, driveway and in my flower beds. It’s gotten to the point where there are too many things to clear up every day.
My immediate neighbor seems to have a lot of felines.but I also know other nearby neighbors have them too, so it’s hard to blame them.
I wouldn’t care so much if I didn’t have a little kid. I live in the country and my garden is a decent size, so spraying anti-cat Smells aren’t going to work. Is there anything I can do?
Guilty as charged: This is Money reader’s neighbor’s cat continues to relieve itself in her garden
This is Money’s Jane Denton responds: After reviewing the photographic evidence you sent me, my first thought was whether this cat is unwell or needs alternative dietary arrangements.
But that’s a dilemma for another day.
The number of domestic cats in Britain is estimated to be around 12.5 million, so while your query may provoke a few chuckles, I don’t think you’ll be the only one encountering this problem.
By nature, cats enjoy roaming and can be very territorial. This may help explain why one or more cats keep returning to your yard.
You’re not sure where the cat or cats in question live, which makes everything more complicated.
However, if you haven’t already done so, it’s worth talking to your nearest neighbor, who has a lot of cats, to explain the problem. They may even have some tips for you, or it may prompt them to think more carefully about cat litter disposal.
I spoke to two feline behavior specialists to get their take.
Expert: NickyTrevorrow, feline behavior expert
Nicky Trevorrow, behavior manager at Cats Protection, says: Cats are free-roaming animals, so it’s not unusual for a neighbor’s cat to show up in your yard.
While most of the time this isn’t a problem, it can be frustrating when they choose to use the bathroom on your land, especially if you have a young family.
It’s interesting that you mention that some of the poop is showing up on your lawn and driveway.
This is usually not a natural behavior for cats, unless they are particularly territorial or have a dispute with neighboring cats.
They tend to prefer privacy over an open space and usually choose a place where they can dig and cover their mess.
It leads me to wonder if some of these deposits may be left by other animals, especially if you live in the country. They could be foxes, and maybe installing a wildlife camera will help you prove it.
You also mention flower beds, and if you establish that this is caused by cats, you could focus your attention on these areas.
Strong scents like citrus (lemon, lime, and orange peels) can work well, as can sprinkling cinnamon on the soil.
On larger surfaces, you can choose something bulkier like chicken manure, which will also be a real boost for your plants. You can buy large bags quite cheaply at garden centers so it might be worth a try.
Cats prefer to choose areas of bare floor to go to the bathroom, so if you have empty beds, it would be worth covering them with close-knit plants, natural obstacles such as twigs or decorative planters.
Or you could plant something like lavender, which has multiple benefits: cats don’t like the smell, it grows quite quickly and is bushy so it can fill a gap quickly, it looks beautiful, and it’s affordable. Other plants that cats don’t like are lemon balm, rosemary, and bush roses.
Another idea (and perhaps more suitable for cat owners themselves) is to create a designated “poop” area.
An area of bare soil, with some added compost and child-friendly sand, will encourage them to go to the bathroom closer to home and prevent them from causing a nuisance to their neighbors.
If you are able to identify the culprit feline, it might be worth talking to your neighbor to ask if they can do it.
Remember that cats love privacy and secluded areas, so they may be less tempted to visit your garden if they are regularly interrupted. If you see one in the garden, walk towards it clapping loudly; he will most likely run away and eventually stop visiting.
As a last resort, you can spray water near them, since cats don’t really like getting wet. Do not spray them directly, a nearby spray will be enough to scare them away.
Lastly, since you mention that you have a small child, be sure to keep the litter boxes well covered when not in use, as they are a tempting invitation for cats.
You know it: feline behaviorist Alex Worth
Alex Worth, a London-based feline behaviorist, says: Cats are territorial by nature and their behaviors are deeply linked to their instincts.
When a neighborhood cat chooses your yard as a place to go to the bathroom, it’s not random: it’s their way of communicating.
By pooping there, the cat marks its territory, leaving olfactory cues from glands in its paws and anal area to let other cats know, “This is my space.”
Understanding why cats wander and choose certain places can help you understand their behavior.
It often comes down to a combination of factors: finding food, following their hunting instincts, or simply finding a comfortable place to relieve themselves.
Gardens with soft, loose soil are especially attractive because they feel like the desert sands where your wild ancestors roamed. If your flower beds are freshly tilled, they’re basically the litter box of a cat’s dreams.
To humanely keep cats out of your yard, some well-thought-out strategies can go a long way.
Physical barriers tend to work well. Motion-activated sprinklers can surprise cats without scaring them too much, branches arranged criss-cross or even rugs upside down with the spiked side facing up can make the area less welcoming.
Covering bare spots with river stones, pinecones or sticks is another option: they make the ground uncomfortable to walk on and dig, but safe for cats.
Smells can also help. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so certain smells can naturally keep them away.
Try planting lavender and rosemary or putting down fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus-scented sprays, or even vinegar.
Enzyme sprays, like Nature’s Miracle, can erase odors left behind by cats, helping to break the cycle of repeat visits.
You can also use motion-activated lights or cameras to determine where cats are most active and focus your efforts there.
Don’t forget practical measures, such as securing garbage containers and removing any food that may attract them.
If you know the cat’s owner, having a friendly chat could also be helpful. They may be able to set up a designated bathroom spot for your cat, such as a patch of litter in your yard, and train him to use it or take another look at his current litter box setup. Maybe there aren’t enough boxes or everything isn’t cleaned daily.
Positive reinforcement, such as rewarding the cat for using its designated spot, can work wonders and improve relationships with neighbors at the same time.