How do you stop a cat pooping in your garden? Through the use of natural remedies, motion-sensing sprinklers, ultrasonic deterrent and chicken wire. But which is best?
We take a look in depth below.
There really is nothing worse than looking out across your well-maintained gardens and spotting a cat poop in the middle of it – or even worse – not noticing it and then ending up with it on the bottom of your shoe! Whether a cat lover or a cat hater, no one wants to be picking up other people’s cats’ poo. With 25% of UK adults having pet cats and an estimated population of 11.1 million pet cats in the UK – once these furry felines decide your garden is the place to do their business, it can often feel like all 11 million are using your garden as their public toilet!
There are hundreds of methods for stopping cats from pooping in your garden, so it can be a bit of a mindfield as to which to try – no doubt if you’re reading this article you’re ready and willing to try them all if it stops another “accident” in your flower beds! We have found the best methods to stop cats from pooping in your garden, so once you have read this article you will be ready to go and reclaim your turf!
Ways to Stop Cats Pooping in Your Garden
Home Remedies
Odour
Cats have a very strong sense of smell, and there are a number of odours that don’t appeal to them – such as citrus, peppermint and lavender. Spraying these around the garden can deter cats – however you will have to remember to spray regularly as the slightest bit of rain will wash the smell away.
A less popular choice is to use ammonia based odours, to trick the cat into thinking they are in another cat’s territory – although this means that you will also have to live with the smell of ammonia in your garden!
Sharp/pointy plants and objects
A quick and simple method is to place sharp and pointy objects in your flower beds to stop the cats being able to find a comfortable place to “go”. Things such as egg shells, pointy sticks, cocktail sticks, holly cuttings and spike mats are cheap and effective deterrents to stop the cats from being able to find a place to squat in your flower beds.
Shop Bought Options
- Keep unwanted animals away with a range of up to 10m in a 120-degree arc
- Cover a large area of at least 100sqm with this effective cat deterrent
- Triggered by motion, this repeller fires a 5-second burst of water to scare off animals
- No need to worry about resetting - this cat scarer does it automatically after every activation
- Save water and money by connecting to a standard garden hose - it only sprays when triggered
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Motion-sensor sprinkler
This device can be put in most places in your garden, although they are usually pushed into the soil around the edge of the garden. They detect movement in front of them and sprinkle a small amount of water out into the garden. The idea is that this spray of water will spook the cat and stop them from whatever they were about to do – or even better – make them run out of your garden! They have been seen to work well in many gardens, the only problem is that they require fitting, and will only work for a relatively small distance in front of them, so multiple devices will be needed to protect the whole garden!
- Keep unwanted pests out of your garden with Pestbye Cat Repellent - safe and humane for cats, dogs, foxes, squirrels, rodents, and some insects.
- Infrared PIR motion sensor detects movement and body heat up to 7m away, reducing fake activation and extending battery life.
- Emitting a high-frequency sound that irritates cats and is almost inaudible to humans, this cat repellent is fully adjustable for sensitivity and frequency.
- Easy to set up with a zinc-coated ground stake and tab for fitting directly to a wall or fence, this cat repellent is fully weatherproof and can be left outside in all weathers.
- We're so confident in the effectiveness of our cat deterrent that we offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. Requires 4 x AA batteries (not included) with a battery life that varies depending on activations.
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ultrasonic Cat Deterrent
Working in a similar way to the motion-sensor sprinkler, this device will emit a very high frequency sound when it detects something in front of it. The noise, that is almost inaudible to humans, is very off-putting to cats, so should encourage them to move on out of the garden. However, as with the sprinkler, they will only cover a small area, so it is important to either purchase multiple devices or try to determine where the cats are entering your garden and place one there to make sure they are effective.
- A popular and cost effective product, wire netting is suitable for many uses in both D.I.Y and industrial situations, such as pet netting, floor screed reinforcement, tree and shrub protection, pest control etc.
- Electro Plated Wire, 20 Gauge
- Easily bendable, Can be cut to size
- Hexagonal Wire, Hole Size: 25mm
- Approx Dimensions: 0.6m/0.9m/1.2m(W) x 25m(L)
Last update on 2024-12-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Chicken Wire
It goes without saying that if the cat cannot get to the place in which it wants to use as its toilet – then it will have to find somewhere else to go! Although placing chicken wire on your flower beds could upset the appearance of your garden, and be a hindrance to your plants, this method has been found to work well to stop cats from pooping in a certain area. Cats like to dig before and after doing their business, so if they are unable to do this, and have the hard wire under their feet when they are trying to go, then they are likely to move on and go somewhere else.
It is always worth putting the chicken wire down – while trying other methods – as an initial deterrent, and then when you feel the cats have stopped coming into your garden it could then be removed in the hope that the other methods will be sufficient to stop them returning!
Cat stands
Usually coming in the design of a small black cat with glowing eyes. These small ornaments can be placed around your garden to trick cats into thinking the area is another cat’s territory. Simple, relatively cheap and effective, this option is used by many to deter cats. However, we would advise combining this option with another – such as the unpleasant odours – as the cats can quickly realise that their new “neighbours” aren’t of the living and breathing variety!
Toxoplasmosis
Aside from the obvious inconvenience and annoyance of having cats making a mess in your garden, there is also the more serious issue of Toxoplasmosis. This is a parasitic disease that can be carried in cat faeces. This disease can be particularly dangerous for anyone with a lower immune system and for pregnant women. What is worse is that the parasitic disease can also be carried in garden soil – so if the cat buries the faeces, or if you remove the poo but it has been sat on the soil, this could also be contaminated!
Therefore, if you do find cat poo in your garden it is important to use gloves when removing, if possible, remove some of the soil that the poo has been sat on, and (as obvious as it sounds!) always wash your hands afterwards!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for the cats to stop pooping in my garden?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many “quick fixes” to stop cats from pooping in your garden. Once the cat thinks of your garden as its “place to go” then it will take some time to make them realise otherwise! Using the methods above, after a few days you should start to notice less poop in your garden. Then after a few weeks – once you have found the method that is right
Do I need to use more than one method?
Cats are determined, clever animals, so we would always recommend using more than one method, if possible, to make it as inconvenient as possible for the cats to poop in your garden. The idea is to make your garden an undesirable place to be – once you have done this, you can relax and enjoy your garden without worrying about a cat poo hiding around the corner!
Be the first to comment