My gardens as potty

[Lola]

Hi, all, I am not a cat owner, although I don't dislike them, my husband does. We have a tiny toy poodle. The problem is that we have two lovely neighbors who have beautiful cats and they let them run the neighborhood. The cats are using my gardens as potty areas. My question is, how should I approach these neighbors kindly about our problem? I don't want to hurt their feelings as we now have a very good relationship with them, and we don't want them mad at us, but in the wintertime, our gardens on the south side of the house are fairly snow free, so this is where the cats go. It is also very close to the deck we sit on most, and in the spring and summer, at times we can hardly stand the smell, especially after a rain. I thought that since you are cat lovers, you could tell me the best way to handle this problem. Thanks for your consideration.
Lola

[sassykat2567]

hello. basically, if you and your husband know your neighbors pretty well, just go over to their house and tell them that their kitties have been doing their business in your yard, i'm sure they wouldn't get mad. it's their cats doing it of course, not them. another possiblity would be fencing your yard in.

[Garfield]

Lola, you can try to put some chemicals/liquids to rid the smell which attracts your neighbour's cats from coming over.

A friend of mine used tobascco and/or lime juice to eliminate the smell. Some of her plants in her garden died when she used tobascco, but it worked, as cats stopped coming over to poop/pee. The lime juice doesn't affect her plants too much.

[Garfield]

Lola, i came across this message when i was browsing. I think it could be of help to you too.
http://petshub.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000047.html

I think as what Robbin mention, pepper sounds like a great idea.

http://petshub.com/ubb/cool.gif

[Lola]

Thanks, Garfield, but I think I have solved the problem. I removed the mulch I had in that garden and replaced it with rock. I don't think the little devils can do their dirty work in that. It cost me about $50, but I think it will be worth it. I just think that if people really loved their animals like we do our tiny toy poodle, Halo, they would keep them at home. I don't mean to sound harsh, but we don't let our dog run the neighborhood, and when I take her for a walk, I carry poop bags with me to clean up after her.

[Garfield]

You are right Lola. Sometimes cats are more stubborn than dogs. They love to roam out of the house and thus doing poop/pee elsewhere.

Halo must be very fortunate to have a great owner like you.

http://petshub.com/ubb/cool.gif

[Lola]

You got it backwards, Garfield, I am the lucky one to have such a great little puppy. We took Halo to the vet yesterday for her annual physical and shots. Poor baby didn't feel very good all day, but she's back to her happy self today, thank goodness. I feel so bad when we have to do that to her, but it's a necessary evil, I guess. Cheers!

[Robbie]

Hi Lola,

Just want to say something about what you said about- if people really loved their animals like you do your toy poodle, they would keep them at home.

The problem with cats is that you can't take them out for walkies on a lead and then let them off for a run in the park and they'll run around and come back when called. They really are a bit like tame wildlife and need to go outside and roam. Cats love going outside just as much as dogs do and it really is depriving them if they are not allowed out to enjoy nature and freedom.

I can understand that it was annoying to have them spoiling your garden but now you've solved the problem I hope you can enjoy seeing the cats visit your garden as I imagine you enjoy the rest of the nature in your garden.

[LadyMystery]

I have a cat that goes outside only on a leash and she doesn't have to be let off to run in order to enjoy being outside. I also have a new kitten who will be taught the same way. They have lots of climbing toys and things to do in the house so, believe me, they are very happy kitties. They are much happier living withing the confines of my home, than meeting up with dogs, wild cats, poison or cars and trucks...out in the wild yonder while they roam. Too many beautiful cats die out there.

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[Lola]

LadyMystery, I like your kind of cat lover. As I said before, I do not dislike cats, several of our kids have them, and they, like you, keep them inside or on a leash. Someone suggested I fence in my yard. They must not know that cats can climb almost anything. Cheers, and say hi to your kitties from me and Halo.

[LadyMystery]

Hello to you and Halo. I am a person who respects animals...all of them...for their personalities and their individual needs. Many, many cats live their lives indoors very happily while many who are forced to fend for themselves live in fear and hunger and hopelessness. Over my lifetime I have had everything from birds who lived on a tree in my living room to raccoons, lizards, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs...and more dogs...fish, and a pet frog. Each of them had unique needs and likes which I tried very hard to give them exactly what they needed to make them happy. I also own two chinchillas who are both over fourteen years old. My cat is happiest when she is interacting in our diverse family and really doesn't appear to need to *roam* outside by herself...there are lots of scaries out there....I appreciate people who take care and take responsibility for their animals...no matter what kind of critter it is...