How to Stop Feral Cats From Pooping in Yard
13 cruelty-free ways to prevent cats from pooping in your yard
You've worked so hard on your beautiful yard filled with plants, and suddenly there's a stink emanating from it. Turns out there's cat poop in your yard. How annoying! Let's read this article to find out how to prevent cats from pooping in your yard.
© neydt | 123rf
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Disclaimer: This article is meant to provide a few solutions in preventing cats from pooping wherever they please. However we would like to emphasise that we should NEVER EVER use any method that is cruel and harmful to animals as a solution to any problem.
This article was translated from 13 cara halau kucing dari berak di laman anda by Dayana Sobri.
Whenever there's a cat, be it a Bengal, a Siamese, or a stray cat, there's no running away from having to deal with them pooping or peeing in your front yard. It's even worse for those with a gorgeous garden, where the smell of chunky cat poop wafted out from it. Absolutely irritating!
Regardless of whether this problem comes from your own cat, your neighbour's cat, or even a stray cat, we'll share a few tips on how to prevent cats from pooping in your yard.
Cat fact: Cat's excrement not only gives off a stinking odour, but it also contains toxins that can ruin the growth of your plants.
Why do cats poop wherever they please
1. Health problem
If your beloved cat had no issue in using the litter box before but is suddenly now pooping all over the place, your cat may have a health problem. Take your cat to the vet immediately for a check-up.
2. Territory marking
House cats tend to pee all over the place to mark their territories, while stray cats will usually poop wherever they please as one of the ways to mark their territories.
3. The perfect area for cats to poop
It's in their nature to be drawn to spacious areas with soft soil to do their "dirty deeds". Where else but your yard? Worry no more. We'll share with you a few tips to make some minor changes to your yard to prevent cats from pooping in your yard (don't worry, these methods are not harmful to the cats).
Ways to prevent cats from pooping in your yard
1. Clean up the poop and remove the stinky smell first
Cats are hypersensitive to smell, so before you try any other method, make sure you remove the smell of the cat's poop first. This is because cats tend to poop at the same place where the smell lingers.
There's no point in trying out other methods to deter cats when there are poop residues in your front yard. If the smell of the poop lingers, then you can bet that the cats will come back to do their businesses again and again and again…
2. Build a fence in the garden or your yard
For those with a garden, make sure you have a protective fence. Have you ever heard of the anti-cat fence? Such a fence features spikes that resemble barbed wires, but they're made of plastic. You can easily find these cat-repellent fences at most hardware stores or online.
While the plastic spikes are not harmful, they can be a nuisance for cats. But this is still not a foolproof method as some cats can jump over the fence. But hey, at least you've built your first wall of defence.
3. Plant thorny flowers or trees around your yard
© Anna Babii | 123rf
For extra protection against cats who love to make your yard their toilet, try planting thorny flowers and trees around your yard. Some examples of the plant that can be used as a natural defense wall include cactuses or rose trees.
If there aren't any thorny plants, you may also use any thorny twigs and place them around your home. Not only is this method not harmful to cats, it is also a subtle way to repel cats from coming back to your yard.
4. Use syrup bottles or old CDs
You may have gotten used with using syrup bottles to repel cats. This method relies on the concept of light reflection which is said to scare cats away.
Look for a few empty plastic bottles and fill them with red-coloured liquid or even just plain water. Place the bottles in areas that are exposed to light. It's believed that the light reflected from the bottle helps chase cats away.
An alternative method is to make use of your old CDs. Put them to good use by hanging them at the gate or around the yard where cats do their business. The light reflected from the CDs is also believed to repel cats away for good.
5. Place cat-repellent plants
Just like Nepeta Cataria (a plant that attracts cats), you can also use plants to prevent cats from coming over. There are several plants that are said to emit pungent smell that is unpleasant to cats, which include the following:
- Coleus canina
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Curry leaves
Read more: 10 non-toxic indoor plants for cats
6. Use cat-repellent sprays
© Alexandr Ermolaev | 123rf
Next, you may also use sprays to repel cats. Such sprays are formulated with a smell that can be unpleasant to the furry kinds.
For the yard, you're encouraged to use sprays made from natural ingredients. Avoid using chemical sprays as it can ruin your plants and the entire yard. Here are two options to choose from:
a. Serai wangi (lemongrass)
Spray some serai wangi where cats frequently poop. The strong lemongrass smell can overpower the stinky smell of cats who pooped there before.
b. Vinegar
Aside from repelling cats, vinegar is also useful for repelling insects and pests. Vinegar, with its strong and soury smell, is said to be effective in removing the smell of cat's poop and preventing cats from coming back again.
It's really easy to use. Simply mix vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle. Then spray the plants or areas where cats often poop.
Read more: How to clean your entire home with vinegar
7. Use lime or lemon peel
Lime or lemon is no stranger to Malaysian dishes. However, the peel is also useful to prevent cats from pooping in your yard. The peel of a lime or lemon contains citrus that emits a smell that can be unpleasant for cats and their sense of smell. Besides acting as a natural fragrant in your yard, it could also stop cats from coming to their usual pooping spots.
8. Mothballs
Mothballs are known as one of the go-to insecticides, however, it is also said to repel cats. The smell of mothballs can also be unpleasant for cats, which stops them from coming over to your yard if you place some mothballs there. That said, avoid using mothballs if you have plants in your yard. They can affect the fertility of the soil due to its toxins. Mothballs should only be used and placed on fake grass.
9. Automatic water spray
If you have a bigger budget, you can also invest in an automatic water spray that tracks any movement. As we all know, cats fear and hate water. So with this automatic water spray, no cats would dare to even come close to your yard.
10. Prepare a litter box far away from your yard
© Ivan Mochtar Olianto | 123rf
If you have extra space in your yard, you can also place a litter box outside of the house. To cut costs, create a sandy space in an area far away from your yard. Such sandy spaces can also be created behind your house or next to the drain to make it easier for you to dispose and clean off the poop. To attract cats to the sandy area, you can place a catnip there.
11. Wire mesh
Have you got extra wire mesh at home? Use it to repel cats. It's super simple: measure the area where cats often poop. Then, cut the wire mesh based on the size of the area. Finally, cut the middle part of the wire mesh and bend it upwards. This way, it will create a controlled perimeter while preventing cats from pooping there again.
Tips to prevent cats from pooping in the flowerpots
Now that you've solved the issue of cats pooping in your yard, they may move on to do their dirty deeds in your flowerpots and polybags. Don't worry, there are two ways for you to deal with this problem, which are:
12. Use satay sticks or plastic forks and place them around potted plants
©️ Nur Adilah
Cats are sensitive to surfaces when it comes to pooping time. By making their "toilet" uncomfortable for them, rest assured that the furry creatures won't be pooping in your potted plants anymore. Take a few satay sticks or plastic forks that you no longer use, and place them in your potted plants to deter them from doing any funny business.
13. Place lemongrass around your potted plants or polybag
As we all know, lemongrass has a smell that can be unpleasant to cats. Take a few lemongrass leaves and place them near your potted plants or polybag. This method is said to be effective in preventing cats from returning.
Whatever method you try, make sure that it's not harmful to these adorable little fellas. If you have some tips that are more effective in preventing cats from pooping in your yard, don't forget to share them with us. Good luck!
- Lifestyle
- Solutions
- Pets
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How to Stop Feral Cats From Pooping in Yard
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