Are you looking for a simple solution to stop cats pooping in the garden? Our feline friends are great at providing company, but it can be irritating when they use gardens as litter trays.
"If you've noticed any furry neighbours favouring your garden, it might be that you've accidentally created the perfect environment for a cat to do their business. And whilst this is a completely natural behaviour for cats, it can be frustrating, so here are some simple things you can do to encourage them to go elsewhere," Shauna Walsh, a PDSA vet tells Country Living.
From water sprays to citrus scents, take a look at exactly how to stop cats pooping in the garden.
10 tips to stop cats pooping in your garden:
1. Odour repellent
Cats are renowned for exploring people's gardens, looking for places to leave their mark when homeowners aren't looking. One natural way to stop cats pooping in the garden is by scattering scents they don't like.
Cats are incredibly sensitive to smell so strong scents such as lavender, peppermint or cinnamon are great for keeping them away. Choose one of these scents, mix it with water and spray it around the garden. While this is just a short-term option, it's cost-effective and non-toxic.
Shauna explains: "An odour repellent may do the trick. Using orange or lemon peel is a great option, as cats are known to dislike citrus scents. Not only this, but it won’t cause them or other animals any harm. Fresh lemon juice or white vinegar diluted in water are other pet-safe options that you can spray on toileting hotspots to deter any curious cats who may be inclined to visit when nature calls."
2. Citrus peels
Another natural and simple solution to deter cats from your outdoor space is to finely chop citrus fruits (such as lemons, limes and oranges) and place them around the garden. Similar to lavender and peppermint, cats don't like the strong citrus scent.
You can also make your own solution by squeezing the fruits into water if you'd rather spray it around the garden.
"Using natural scents as a deterrent can help to prevent cats from using the garden as a toilet," an expert from Pets4Homes tells us. "The chopped-up peel of citrus fruits is a good place to start, as the citrus oils in the peel will keep cats away from flower beds. Using organic matter also means that the peel will turn into compost, so there is no clean up required."
3. Install a motion-activated sprinkler
This option might be more expensive than the others, but it's incredibly effective. Cats hate getting wet, so a motion-activated sprinkler that turns on every time it detects the movement and heat of an animal is great to consider if you're feeling fed up.
Every time a cat wanders into your garden the sprinkler will release a sudden burst of water, along with a startling noise, to scare them away.
4. Using sound motion detectors
Similar to how the water sprinklers work, ultrasonic cat deterrents will emit a very high frequency when they detect movement. Usually, the sounds are very off-putting to cats but can hardly be heard at all by humans. These only cover a small area of the garden, so it's best to place them at entry points.
It's worth pointing out that ultrasonic deterrents will not prevent all intrusions, but they reduce their frequency and duration.
5. Cover your garden with twigs
Cats aren't fond of prickly ground underfoot, so placing twigs or rough leaves on flower beds will help to keep them away. While it might not make your garden look pretty, it's a simple solution to keep them at bay.
Other options to consider also include placing down stone mulch, eggshells, holly cuttings or repurposed plastic carpet runners.
6. Bananas
Cats also don't like the smell of bananas, so another way to stop them from pooping in your garden is to finely chop bananas and scatter them around your flower beds. Ripening bananas give off a strong smell that cats simply can't stand. Want to scare them away? This could be worth a try.
7. Keep your garden clean
If your cat seems to always visit the same spot, consider giving it a hose down with soapy water. While this can throw cats off their scent, it may simply make them move to another part of your garden.
8. Make flower beds less appealing spots
"Make your flowerbeds more difficult to dig in and therefore potentially less appealing as a toilet by planting shrubs close together, using ground cover plants, and by using small pebbles, chipping, or twigs to cover the ground," says Shauna.
"Many cats don't like wet soil on their feet, so keeping your flowerbeds watered may deter them as well. Consider using plants or flowers that cats don’t like the smell of, but aren't harmful such as lavender or rosemary."
9. Use an outdoor litter tray
If all else fails, you could try placing an outdoor litter tray in your garden for them to use. Of course, it's not your job to clean up the mess from your neighbour's cat, but it could be a smart way to stop them from pooping on your favourite flowers.
Pets4Homes says: "If making your cat give up alfresco toilet trips entirely turns out to be a losing game, you can try to contain their habits by using an outdoor litter tray. This gives cats the option to keep their habits tidy and the garden clean."
10. Finally, change the location of your litter tray
"If it's your own cat that you're trying to deter from going in your flowerbed, the location of their litter tray could prove important. It's best to have at least two trays for your cat, placed away from their food and water. Place the litter trays in a quiet area where you cat can go to the toilet privately without people or other pets walking past," adds Shauna.
"It may also be worth looking into the type of litter you are using, as certain options may be uncomfortable on your cat's paws. Others may not absorb urine very well and your feline friend could just be avoiding getting their paws wet! Keep litter trays clean and try to remove urine and faeces as soon as possible, as a mucky tray could mean your cat finds elsewhere to do their business."