Cat owners--I need advice!!!

[mondaymornin1]

I'm having major troubles with my 2 kitties crapping in my flower garden! What can I do to keep em' out of it? Since the weather is warm here now, they've officially become "outdoor kitties." We have 4 friggin' acres for them to crap on, and they chose the nice garden I worked hours in! It smells worse than their litter box, I swear. I put a huge pile of old sand at the woodline behind our fenced-in yard. I guess it's just too far for the little divas to walk. And I tried putting mothballs in there--blech!! That doesn't smell much better, and it's too close to the house.

Any suggestions, cat people?

[amber]

Originally Posted by mondaymornin1

I'm having major troubles with my 2 kitties crapping in my flower garden! What can I do to keep em' out of it? Since the weather is warm here now, they've officially become "outdoor kitties." We have 4 friggin' acres for them to crap on, and they chose the nice garden I worked hours in! It smells worse than their litter box, I swear. I put a huge pile of old sand at the woodline behind our fenced-in yard. I guess it's just too far for the little divas to walk. And I tried putting mothballs in there--blech!! That doesn't smell much better, and it's too close to the house.

Any suggestions, cat people?

This howling laughter isn't much of a suggestion, but I do feel for you. I'll check around, see what I can come up with....

[mondaymornin1]

Originally Posted by amber

This howling laughter isn't much of a suggestion, but I do feel for you. I'll check around, see what I can come up with....

Thanks!

Yeah, howling laughter is what I'm getting from my husband, too.....

[Sugar]

I thought I read once that sprinkling cayanne pepper in your garden would keep them out.

[amber]

I thought I remembered something about orange and lemon scents! You were right, too, Sugar. Anyways, I found this:


"We don't recommend using any chemically-based scent repellants which often have the active ingredient methyl nonyl ketone. Despite manufacturers' claims that the ingredient is safe, the same folks acknowledge the chemical is poisonous and should not be applied to food crops. Here's a list of naturally-based products:

*The border plant Coleus-Canina is now being marketed as an effective scent deterrent for dogs and cats by Gardener's Supply.
Sells for $29.95: click here 1-888-833-1412

*For protecting gardens or flower beds, the herb rue is often mentioned as a good deterrent, either planted or sprinkled in its dry form. Other suggested items for garden areas include orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.
*Repellant Evaporators use puffed rice treated with oils to keep a constant odor emanating around the garden for three to four weeks, then can be refilled. They sell for $19.95 each at Gardener's Supply: click here
1-888-833-1412

* Havahart's Cat Repellent Model 5400/5401 uses capsaicin pepper and oil of mustard as its active ingredients. It repels by both taste and odor and has a lemon scent not offensive to humans. It lasts 7-10 days and needs to be reapplied after rain or new growth. Repellants should be sprayed around the edges of the yard, the top of fences and on any favorite digging areas or plants. A 32 oz. bottle sells for $12.99: click here"

[amber]

oh, they said this, too:

"5. Make an Outdoor Litterbox
A sandbox will tend to be an attractive place for cats to do their thing. Take a very large Rubbermaid plastic container and fill it with regular "kiddie sand box" sand. If you can, put a couple of pieces of the cats' poop in it to attract them. The cats will enjoy digging in the fine sand and will shift to using it. Scoop occasionally and once a month or so, dump and replace the sand.

If you want to be extra neat, use a large Rubbermaid storage container for the box, filling the bottom with several inches of sand. Then cut a door in one of the sides, above sand level and approximately 8 x 8 inches. Keep the container covered.

To be even neater, take the Rubbermaid storage container, turn it upside down and cut a hole in the side. Place a normal litterbox with regular litter inside the container. "

[paleshadow]

Originally Posted by mondaymornin1

I'm having major troubles with my 2 kitties crapping in my flower garden! What can I do to keep em' out of it? Since the weather is warm here now, they've officially become "outdoor kitties." We have 4 friggin' acres for them to crap on, and they chose the nice garden I worked hours in! It smells worse than their litter box, I swear. I put a huge pile of old sand at the woodline behind our fenced-in yard. I guess it's just too far for the little divas to walk. And I tried putting mothballs in there--blech!! That doesn't smell much better, and it's too close to the house.

Any suggestions, cat people?

Amber suggested orange or lemon, and I think that would work. Cat's don't like the smell of citrus. Whenever I'm eating an orange my cat will crinkle up her nose and take off. I'm sure there are products that will help at most pet stores, or maybe garden supply stores.

[irishgrl]

I would stay away from the mint family I think they actually like mint....

you could try covering the plant area with tanbark which would be harder for them to dig in...

[Livia]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

I would stay away from the mint family I think they actually like mint....

you could try covering the plant area with tanbark which would be harder for them to dig in...

Yeah, they do like mint. I have both spearmint and peppermint in my garden. My cat hangs out in it all the time....

[mondaymornin1]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! Right now, I just have that weed prevention plastic stuff stapled to the ground with my poor little flowers poking through. Looks really nice, but at least it kept them out of it this weekend while I was away. I have tried using wood chips, but they just dig right through it.

We're going to Disney World next week, so I'm thinking I'll just leave the really attractive plastic on there until we get back. Then I'll try the pepper or citrus thing. Damn diva cats!

Thanks again!!!

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Livia

Yeah, they do like mint. I have both spearmint and peppermint in my garden. My cat hangs out in it all the time....

Catnip comes from the mint family!