Outside Cats - Question

[YoYo]

I live in a neighborhood with a POA. In just about every newsletter there is a notice to keep out dogs on leashes, take our pooer-scooper with us when we walk them, and to not let them run free.

As a result I paid $$$$ for a fence so my doggies can have outside time w/o having to be with them every minute.

I have a new neighbor. Three outside cats. I have found three dead birds, the feathers of two other ones, and two field mice in my yard, I have had to move my feeders nearer the house and I have cat prints on my car if I leave my garage open.

I mowed this morning and the smell "cat spray" nearly knocked me down. Recently I cut flowers for a bouquet and had to take them back outside because they too had been sprayed.

In addition, I put my dog ON A LEASH, walked down in MY WOODS, we stopped for a minute and when I turned around to look at him discovered that he was having a snack of - you guessed it - cat ****!

Any thoughts on how to keep these cats out of my yard?

[Tracian]

That is a tough one.

I used to raise exotic birds, and had four out door flights; cats would climb on them and scare my birds when they would go to nest, even killed a few by clawing them through the wire.

I used one of those 'air soft' guns to pop them in the butt, so they would stay away. A neighbor reported me, department of fish and game came out, and told me that cats were considered a wild animal and protected.

I was really shocked, because for one, I did not injure the cats, only stung them. Two, if my dogs got out and killed a 2.00 chicken, aside from the fine from the county, the owners of the chicken could charge me for IIRC 7x7 generations for the chicken, (the 7x7 is all the chicks the chicken would hatch, and their chicks) Here I had exotic birds that were in some cases 2500.00 a pair, and I had no recourse, even if the cat was an inside/outside pet of a neighbor.

I then trapped them with live traps and took them to the SPCA.

So the only thing I can think you could do is set live traps.


BTW, I love cats, I have two myself, so I never wanted to hurt them, just make them not want to hang around my flights.

[YoYo]

I may have to do that. Another thing I didn't mention (if the above wasn't enough to show my frustration) my neighbor is letting me use her above the ground garden. They are using it for a litter box = dig up plants and leave presents every morning. I have several root vegetables. Now I'm wondering if they will be safe to eat.

BTW - I used to have cats but they were inside cats.

[warhorse46]

Put massive amounts of red pepper anywhere you do not want the cats to be. They will walk on it, get it on their paws then in their mouth which will be very uncomfortable. Also when walking on it say in the garden they will create puffs of it which will get in their eyes & noses.

Another remedy is to lie in wait with a super soaker water gun & give them a good soaking. They will soon learn to stay away.

[YoYo]

Warhorse...........it will take a MASSIVE amount of pepper to cover half an acre. :) But, I have heard that before. I hate to do that and if I do it will only be in my veggie garden.

We used to put out moth balls to repel snakes. I was hoping someone knew of a cat repellant like that.

[Tracian]

http://landscaping.about.com/od/pestcontrol/a/cat_repellents.htm


Commercial Cat Repellents

4. One of the commercial cat repellents available is a powder called, "Shake-Away." Shake-Away bears the scent of the urine of predators that cats fear, namely, the coyote, the fox and the bobcat. This commercial cat repellent comes in a granular form, which you simply sprinkle around the problem area. The product is advertised as being organic, making it an acceptable option to use around children and pets. Nor will it harm your plants.


Plants That Are Cat Repellents

5. Some plants give off smells that cats dislike. One such plant, Coleus canina, goes by the common name, "scaredy cat plant." As the second term in the Latin name indicates (think "canine"), it is also effective if you have trouble landscaping with dogs. Other plants often recommended for keeping cats away from yards are:


•rue,
•lavender, which deer pests also dislike
•pennyroyal


Other Substances That Double as Cat Repellents

6. Try sprinkling "stinky" substances around the problem area, including:


•dried-blood fertilizer
•mothballs (drop them into a can or jar, cover, and make a few holes in the cover).
•cayenne pepper flakes (but see below)
•ammonia

Note that mothballs are toxic, thus the recommendation that you use them in a covered can or jar. Avoid even this usage if small children will be in the yard and could, potentially, open such a can or jar. Note also that some people caution against using cayenne pepper in this fashion, saying it can be harmful to cats. So if you're an animal lover and tend to be on the cautious side, then save the cayenne pepper to flavor your food!



Laverder is a great plant that grows well in most regions.

[Noahs ARK]

You have brought up a subject that drives me WILD.

I have 10 indoor cats, but my neighbors on this country road of ours allow THEIR cats to run wild.

They potty in my plants & mulch. They spray my plants. They chase and kill the birds I feed every day. They WAIT for baby birds to leave the nest, so they can pounce of them before they learn to fly.

One of them isn't neutered and I'm pretty sure he's responsible for half the stray kittens being born in this area.

I could go on & on & on.

When I'm outside, I have no problem running them off. If I'm using the hose, I squirt them enough for them to get the message. I've used the hot pepper flakes before and it does work, but 1/2 acre would require a lot of hot pepper flakes. I have 3 acres, so I understand.

I'd be VERY nervous about eating anything out of my garden if you have cats using it as a litter box. In fact, I probably wouldn't.

If you DO find a solution, please come back and share it with the rest of us. Good Luck!

[YoYo]

I looked up the Shake-Away. It's available at Lowes. First thing tomorrow I am on my way to the store. It says it's safe around gardens so I'll sprinkle around the edge first and in their favorite flower bed out front.

My neighbor across the street can see my front yard from his upstairs window. He said they camp out in my yard at night. I'll ask him to let me know if he sees any change.

I'll let you know the outcome. Thanks so much!

[Shells2]

I wouldn't recommend using hot pepper - that seems really cruel and harsh.

[CindR]

I wouldn't recommend using hot pepper - that seems really cruel and harsh.

I agree with you.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/carnivor/msg1023280419534.html

NOT RECOMMENDED:
*** chili powder, red crushed pepper, cayenne pepper (NOT recommended), it gets on the cat's paws then they wash themselves and they get it in their eyes, beware cats have literally scratched their eyes out because of this. Even if it's one cat out of 500 infected in this way, that's one too many for me.

There are better ideas to try at the above link. :thumbup:

[warhorse46]

Warhorse...........it will take a MASSIVE amount of pepper to cover half an acre. :) But, I have heard that before. I hate to do that and if I do it will only be in my veggie garden.

We used to put out moth balls to repel snakes. I was hoping someone knew of a cat repellant like that.



You are right it would take truck loads of pepper to cover that much land.

[warhorse46]

I wouldn't recommend using hot pepper - that seems really cruel and harsh.


The vets @ my vet clinic disagree with you, they are the ones who suggested that to me when I had a cat problem. Works well for dogs too, especially inside ones who like to raid trash cans. A snoot full of red pepper will not damage them but sure is uncomfortable & they remember that.

[warhorse46]

I agree with you.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/carnivor/msg1023280419534.html

NOT RECOMMENDED:
*** chili powder, red crushed pepper, cayenne pepper (NOT recommended), it gets on the cat's paws then they wash themselves and they get it in their eyes, beware cats have literally scratched their eyes out because of this. Even if it's one cat out of 500 infected in this way, that's one too many for me.

There are better ideas to try at the above link. :thumbup:




IMO another message board is not a reliable source of information. I will rely on the advice of my vet instead.

[annalyzer]

Why don't you go to your neighbor and tell them the problem their cats are causing you. Maybe the neighbor will try to keep them inside more, get them a litter box, or something.

[CindR]

IMO another message board is not a reliable source of information. I will rely on the advice of my vet instead.

Personally I would have a problem doing something that might hurt an animal but that's just me. To each his own.

[Arabella]

Personally I would have a problem doing something that might hurt an animal but that's just me. To each his own.

I'm with you! It's not the cats fault that their owner is an inconsiderate idiot. I would try talking to the owner. You never know, it may help.
I have the same problem here. My cats are strictly indoor but nearly every one of my neighbors allows theirs to roam free.
I have 2 Rotties who scare them out of the yard when I let them out.
Little do the cats know that they would kiss them to death. :biggrin:

[YoYo]

Why don't you go to your neighbor and tell them the problem their cats are causing you. Maybe the neighbor will try to keep them inside more, get them a litter box, or something.

I don't have a problem with doing that except I'm sure he's aware that our POA covenant says nothing about restricting cats (dogs, yes), and I suspect he would ask the same thing the POA board members ask, "How do you know it wasn't a stray cat?" (You know how you can kind of "read" some people?) I can't prove it isn't a stray, but the things I mentioned have just started since he moved in. Would he believe that? I don't know.

He has 3 cats, 3 dogs - 2 huge ones on rope leads in the woods - fleas and ticks galore - poor doggies.

Anyway, I'm going to try to Scare Away and a few moth balls for good measure. Maybe that will at least keep them out of my vegetable garden and flower beds.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[YoYo]

IMO another message board is not a reliable source of information. I will rely on the advice of my vet instead.

Some birdseed has red pepper to discourage squirrels. Apparently, it doesn't bother birds.

[Caba]

I had a cat that I adopted from the Humane Society and there was no way to keep him in the house, he was apparently used to being outside. He would always sneak out with the dogs or my son and his friends. I had new neighbors move in next door and they complained (rightfully so) that he was going potty in their garden. After a little research I ended up purchasing a ultrasonic noise motion activated device called Cat Stop and placed it in their garden. There is also one that is a sprinkler which is motion activated. It kept my cat out of their garden, and I had happy neighbors. The same neighbors also borrowed my cat to get the mice out of their garage.

Here is the link.
http://www.amazon.com/CatStop-Automatic-Outdoor-Cat-Repellent/dp/B000RAHRUO

[warhorse46]

Some birdseed has red pepper to discourage squirrels. Apparently, it doesn't bother birds.



You are right, I have seen that many times. I have a birdseye pepper bush, the peppers are HOT but the birds love them. They gobble them right down. Squirrels don't touch them, lol.

[warhorse46]

I had a cat that I adopted from the Humane Society and there was no way to keep him in the house, he was apparently used to being outside. He would always sneak out with the dogs or my son and his friends. I had new neighbors move in next door and they complained (rightfully so) that he was going potty in their garden. After a little research I ended up purchasing a ultrasonic noise motion activated device called Cat Stop and placed it in their garden. There is also one that is a sprinkler which is motion activated. It kept my cat out of their garden, and I had happy neighbors. The same neighbors also borrowed my cat to get the mice out of their garage.

Here is the link.
http://www.amazon.com/CatStop-Automatic-Outdoor-Cat-Repellent/dp/B000RAHRUO


That seems to be a very effective cat repellent.

[Shells2]

IMO another message board is not a reliable source of information. I will rely on the advice of my vet instead.

I would double check any vets credentials if they don't think pepper in a cats eyes, like you mentioned, isn't cruel.

[YoYo]

I just went to Lowes. No Shake Away, but an assistant told me to call another Lowes that is larger. In the meantime we looked at all products for animal repellant. Nearly every one of them had as an ingredient - cayenne pepper. There was one product to repel deer, but it said dangerous for domestic animals and people and not to use around vegetables. Lots of products also contained "castor oil."

Anyway, I came home empty handed. I'll try the other Lowes tomorrow.

[annalyzer]

I don't have a problem with doing that except I'm sure he's aware that our POA covenant says nothing about restricting cats (dogs, yes), and I suspect he would ask the same thing the POA board members ask, "How do you know it wasn't a stray cat?" (You know how you can kind of "read" some people?) I can't prove it isn't a stray, but the things I mentioned have just started since he moved in. Would he believe that? I don't know.

He has 3 cats, 3 dogs - 2 huge ones on rope leads in the woods - fleas and ticks galore - poor doggies.

Anyway, I'm going to try to Scare Away and a few moth balls for good measure. Maybe that will at least keep them out of my vegetable garden and flower beds.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Sounds like a real responsible pet owner. not. :cursing:

You could take a video camera and record his cats in your yard. But from the sounds of it, the way his dogs are kept, I doubt he would care.

[GossipGirl]

I had a cat that I adopted from the Humane Society and there was no way to keep him in the house, he was apparently used to being outside. He would always sneak out with the dogs or my son and his friends. I had new neighbors move in next door and they complained (rightfully so) that he was going potty in their garden. After a little research I ended up purchasing a ultrasonic noise motion activated device called Cat Stop and placed it in their garden. There is also one that is a sprinkler which is motion activated. It kept my cat out of their garden, and I had happy neighbors. The same neighbors also borrowed my cat to get the mice out of their garage.

Here is the link.
http://www.amazon.com/CatStop-Automatic-Outdoor-Cat-Repellent/dp/B000RAHRUO

bump
this seems best to me...

[warhorse46]

I just went to Lowes. No Shake Away, but an assistant told me to call another Lowes that is larger. In the meantime we looked at all products for animal repellant. Nearly every one of them had as an ingredient - cayenne pepper. There was one product to repel deer, but it said dangerous for domestic animals and people and not to use around vegetables. Lots of products also contained "castor oil."

Anyway, I came home empty handed. I'll try the other Lowes tomorrow.



Well bummer on the wasted trip! Hope you can find what you need. I thought most of the commercial repellants had cayenne pepper in them but was not positive. It is very painful but essentially harmless, causes no permanent damage.

[Details]

The ultrasonic devices - some cats they work, some they do not. Depends how badly they want in. Pepper sounds good - maybe hit the edges of your property to an extra degree, then you don't need to do the whole thing.

And I would mention it to your neighbor - hopefully you guys can team up on this rather than be opponents.

[CindR]

Well bummer on the wasted trip! Hope you can find what you need. I thought most of the commercial repellants had cayenne pepper in them but was not positive. It is very painful but essentially harmless, causes no permanent damage.

It's probably much less harmful and painful to use a diluted repellent that sprays on and then dries as apposed to dumping massive amounts of red pepper on the ground as you suggested earlier. I doubt one would have to worry about a cat scratching their eyes out from the commercial products.

[Dunlurken]

Get the cats neutered, and they won't spray. My cat goes outside all the time. He was neutered at 9 months. He's a pain in other ways though. :rolleyes:

[YoYo]

Get the cats neutered, and they won't spray. My cat goes outside all the time. He was neutered at 9 months. He's a pain in other ways though. :rolleyes:

lol - I'm not sure my neighbor would appreciate me having his cats spayed.

[Debb]

Some cats (even female) spray, even after being spayed or neutered. My cousin has a female who sprays a lot, but she's inside her own house, not on the neighbors property.

You have a right to enjoy your own property. If the cats are interferring, you may have a legal cause of action against their owner. I would consult with an attorney to see if there are any little known ordiances that might offer you a remedy. I wouldn't take the word of police, animal control, or SPCA, as they aren't necessarily legal experts and some times repeat what they have been told without fully checking it out.

Find out for sure. The attorney may be able to prepare and send a civil letter explaining the situation and asking them to correct it. It may anger them and make for an unfriendly neighbor, but if you have to put up with the cat problem, you will be angry in time. I would rather be happy and him be angry than the other way around.

Unless they think they may have to fork out money because of a potential law suit, they are not likely to do anything about the problem. Think about it... Is it likely someone will convert 3 outdoor cats that spray to indoor cats? I don't think so. How are they going to keep the cats outdoors and off your property? A large cage? That's pricey.

I doubt any of the rememdies listed here will permamently keep the cats off your property. Perhaps try them and see first. Good luck.

I almost forgot... I read on-line once that if you have a problem with a nighbor's animal, you should send an anonymous letter, nicely stating the problem and signing it concerned neighbors. Word it so it appears many neighbors are concerned. Send by the mail and don't drop off so you can't be identified. If that doesn't work, then see an attorney. I guess it's worth a try, but I still don't know what the owners can do except, keep the cats in their house or rehome the cats.

[R~O~S]

I guess I don't understand why these cats do so much roaming. I have two outdoor cats, if they're not laying in the sun in the middle of the lawn in the back yard, it's because they're laying in the sun in the middle of the front yard. They don't wander. You can't budge them from the brick steps once the sun warms them up in the morning then they follow the sun until dusk, then in the house for the night.

They'll follow me down the street if I go to talk to a neighbor and circle my legs as I stand there talking, but they follow me right back home too.

Do I just have overly pampered kitties?


FWIW: My Mom hated cats and loved her garden. She hung moth balls in the toe of old nylons evenly spaced about 5' apart around the perimeter of the yard to keep the cats away. She saved her old nylons all winter so she'd have enough and bought a big canister of moth balls to fill them. She never complained about cats in her garden. I assume it worked, it was one of the first things she did every year when getting the garden beds cleaned and ready for the new season.

[Noahs ARK]

I guess I don't understand why these cats do so much roaming.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I know why the cats on my country road roam around.

Two males. One lives down the street to the left. The other lives down the street to the right.

Where do the meet up to mark their territory?

Yep - in MY yard. :rolleyes:


P.S. My mom used mothballs, too!!

[R~O~S]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I know why the cats on my country road roam around.

Two males. One lives down the street to the left. The other lives down the street to the right.

Where do the meet up to mark their territory?

Yep - in MY yard. :rolleyes:


P.S. My mom used mothballs, too!!


Ahhhh, now why didn't that occur to me? My girls are both.......well girls and spayed. lol They have no desire to go anywhere. lol

I'm sorry Noah, that has just got to be very annoying. The man across the street likes my kitties, he used to sit and give them kitty treats on his front steps, but I had to ask him to stop because they did start wandering over there when they saw him come out to sit. So now he comes and sits on bench the front yard. Everybody is still happy & he's an older gentleman so he's got to be more comfortable on the bench than on the steps. He can spread out a bit and read his paper and watch the world go by with a bit of furbaby company.

[warhorse46]

Ahhhh, now why didn't that occur to me? My girls are both.......well girls and spayed. lol They have no desire to go anywhere. lol

I'm sorry Noah, that has just got to be very annoying. The man across the street likes my kitties, he used to sit and give them kitty treats on his front steps, but I had to ask him to stop because they did start wandering over there when they saw him come out to sit. So now he comes and sits on bench the front yard. Everybody is still happy & he's an older gentleman so he's got to be more comfortable on the bench than on the steps. He can spread out a bit and read his paper and watch the world go by with a bit of furbaby company.


You figured out a wonderful solution to that problem! One that makes both the cats & the elderly gentleman happy.

[Mr. Moto2]

I guess I don't understand why these cats do so much roaming. I have two outdoor cats, if they're not laying in the sun in the middle of the lawn in the back yard, it's because they're laying in the sun in the middle of the front yard. They don't wander. You can't budge them from the brick steps once the sun warms them up in the morning then they follow the sun until dusk, then in the house for the night.

They'll follow me down the street if I go to talk to a neighbor and circle my legs as I stand there talking, but they follow me right back home too.

Do I just have overly pampered kitties?


FWIW: My Mom hated cats and loved her garden. She hung moth balls in the toe of old nylons evenly spaced about 5' apart around the perimeter of the yard to keep the cats away. She saved her old nylons all winter so she'd have enough and bought a big canister of moth balls to fill them. She never complained about cats in her garden. I assume it worked, it was one of the first things she did every year when getting the garden beds cleaned and ready for the new season.

Mindy, the cat I grew up with, never strayed either. Mindy was an indoor/outdoor cat, and she knew that our house and yard were her territory. She would chase other cats out of the yard. She did catch her share of birds and mice, leaving them on our doorstep as presents to the household. Mindy was a good cat - lived 19 years.

[YoYo]

OK - still no Shake Away, but I bought WorryFree Dog, Cat and Brid Repellent GRANULES.

Active Ingredients - white pepper, peppermint oil, thyme oil, (plus, fullers earth, vermiculite, white mineral oil).

The active ingredients are suppose to "slightly irritate the nose upon inhaling."

We'll see.

[YoYo]

Hope it solves your problem. Keep us updated.

I am ROFL.........as I was sprinkling it in my veggie garden I heard something behind me. Looked around - it was my neighbor's dog, Roxie, sniffin, smilin' and waggin' her tail. (I don't think it's going to work!). :)

[warhorse46]

OK - still no Shake Away, but I bought WorryFree Dog, Cat and Brid Repellent GRANULES.

Active Ingredients - white pepper, peppermint oil, thyme oil, (plus, fullers earth, vermiculite, white mineral oil).

The active ingredients are suppose to "slightly irritate the nose upon inhaling."

We'll see.




Hope it solves your problem. Keep us updated.

[Noahs ARK]

I'm sorry Noah, that has just got to be very annoying. .

What I find really annoying is the way they stalk my birds and their babies. Makes me feel guilty for feeding the birds.

We do have a rule about our mulch, tho. Since the cats go potty in my mulch, we don't smooth the mulch out with our bare hands anymore and having to wear gloves is kind of a pain. But it's better than smoothing out more than mulch with bare hands! :scared:

[Dunlurken]

Female cats are spayed. Male cats are neutered. Never owned a female cat except once. She wasn't spayed..... jumped out of a three story apartment window (while in heat) and was found 4 days later. 63days later I had 5 kittens in my closet.

Always spay and neuter your animals unless your are breeding them. JMO.

[drip~drop1]

OK - still no Shake Away, but I bought WorryFree Dog, Cat and Brid Repellent GRANULES.

Active Ingredients - white pepper, peppermint oil, thyme oil, (plus, fullers earth, vermiculite, white mineral oil).

The active ingredients are suppose to "slightly irritate the nose upon inhaling."

We'll see.

That sounds much better then red pepper flakes YoYo.
A kitty could literally scratch their eyes out trying to get rid of the red pepper flakes. :(

I know it's not your job to deal with anothers pets but if you have the heart to help the cats out, because obviously their owners aren't good cat owners, maybe you could set up a couple of potty stops in your yard. That may keep them out of the garden.

We have indoor cats and I also take care of whatever furball shows up at our house. I have found that having "potty stops" keeps them from using the gardens as restrooms.
Even an untrained cat appreciates a litterbox.:smile:

[YoYo]

That sounds much better then red pepper flakes YoYo.
A kitty could literally scratch their eyes out trying to get rid of the red pepper flakes. :(

I know it's not your job to deal with anothers pets but if you have the heart to help the cats out, because obviously their owners aren't good cat owners, maybe you could set up a couple of potty stops in your yard. That may keep them out of the garden.

We have indoor cats and I also take care of whatever furball shows up at our house. I have found that having "potty stops" keeps them from using the gardens as restrooms.
Even an untrained cat appreciates a litterbox.:smile:

I sprinkled some of the stuff at the points I know they cross over into my yard hoping to create a barrier so they will turn around and go back home. It's supposed to last 30 days. We'll see.

[CindR]

That sounds much better then red pepper flakes YoYo.
A kitty could literally scratch their eyes out trying to get rid of the red pepper flakes. :(

I know it's not your job to deal with anothers pets but if you have the heart to help the cats out, because obviously their owners aren't good cat owners, maybe you could set up a couple of potty stops in your yard. That may keep them out of the garden.

We have indoor cats and I also take care of whatever furball shows up at our house. I have found that having "potty stops" keeps them from using the gardens as restrooms.
Even an untrained cat appreciates a litterbox.:smile:

You are such a wonderful animal lover. :rose:

[Smokey Stover]

I'm surprised that there are so many ill-behaved cats causing so much annoyance, and I'm almost feeling guilty. I've never kept a cat from going outdoors at least part of the day except one, the latest to join the household. SWMBO has made it plain a number of times that Maximilian is not to be allowed outside. Her fear is for his health and safety, not that of the neighbors.

I should explain that all the cats who have joined our household were living outdoors before coming here--in other words, strays. Our experience with these cats most closely resembles that of R~O~S and Mr. Moto2. We made sure that all of our cats were neutered, and wandering has been minimal. One neighbor's back yard only, and it's our back yard that has the bird feeder. One exception: Genghiz Khan (our name for him) had been a wanderer in a part of town about a half-mile away. People had complained that he insisted on walking home with them, apparently in hopes of finding a place to live. We got a call from a professor's wife living in that vicinity who begged us to adopt this black cat that was pestering her little female cat. My mate and I drove over, and sure enough, there he was, trying to play with this little cat. The lady of the house once more begged us to take him, so DW and I exchanged glances, then I scooped him up and adopted him. He didn't stop wandering, but he always came back home. When he crossed the road he would look first, and was never hit by a car.

Our cats did capture and kill a number of sparrows and small rodents, mostly shrews and moles. Genghiz Khan would catch birds, and once a squirrel. He'd hold them in his mouth, then, at least if I was around, would drop them, uninjured. The squirrel was a real mouthful, but when dropped he ran off with no apparent damage.

One thing that has always surprised me is that I have never found any cat droppings out in the garden or in the neighbors' yards. Squirrels, yes, raccoons yes, possums yes. Once in a great while, rabbits, yes. But not cats. One year, dog doo (our neighbor that year had a dog.)

[nsm]

To the original poster, It seems like the problem is not the cats but the neighbor. I have always had cats, mine are indoors only, but for people who keep them outside, they need to bring them in if they are bothering the neighbors. Its just rude and thoughtless. I have noticed especially this spring, there are ALOT of homeless cats. Many are rescued only to be taken to the SPCA who claims to "Adopt" out these cats, and try to find homes for them. My Sister went to do just that. Instead of being happy to find these cats a home, they refused to allow her to "adopt" because she was not a homeowner and was an apartment renter. I realize that the rules are different from state to state within the SPCA rules. The total fee for a homeowner would have been well over a hundred bucks. There are many people who would give these pets a warm loving home, but they would have such strange criteria for allowing this to happen. I do have to mention that these cats are given a time period that they can be held at the SPCA and after that short time period they are put to sleep. There has to be a better way for them to conduct business.

[daniel green]

I guess I don't understand why these cats do so much roaming. I have two outdoor cats, if they're not laying in the sun in the middle of the lawn in the back yard, it's because they're laying in the sun in the middle of the front yard. They don't wander. You can't budge them from the brick steps once the sun warms them up in the morning then they follow the sun until dusk, then in the house for the night.

They'll follow me down the street if I go to talk to a neighbor and circle my legs as I stand there talking, but they follow me right back home too.

Do I just have overly pampered kitties?


snipped.


If you do, then I do, too--that's what my cats do as well!

[YoYo]

I sprinkled some of the stuff at the points I know they cross over into my yard hoping to create a barrier so they will turn around and go back home. It's supposed to last 30 days. We'll see.

The WorryFree has not left me worry-free. "Presents" deposited both yesterday and this morning. My patience are wearing thin.

[warhorse46]

The WorryFree has not left me worry-free. "Presents" deposited both yesterday and this morning. My patience are wearing thin.



Well shoot, that is a bummer! Maybe time to invest in one of those automatic sprinkler things?

[YoYo]

Just bought moth balls - going to give them a try. :crying:

[warhorse46]

Just bought moth balls - going to give them a try. :crying:


I have heard those work for other animals so maybe they will for cats too.

[CindR]

Just bought moth balls - going to give them a try. :crying:

Moth balls are highly toxic. They pose a serious health hazard for people, pets and wildlife, not to mention using them to try to keep cats out of your yard is illegal.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37755224.tip.html

http://www.tctrap.com/myth.html

http://www.asomagazine.com/magazinepdf/1206/073.pdf
"If a chemical, poison, or commercial product of any kind does not list the particular animal on the label, it is a federal and EPA violation to use it for that purpose."

[YoYo]

I have heard those work for other animals so maybe they will for cats too.

I put them in the toe of an old knee high and hung it on the edge of one of my tomato cages, plus I took an old straw hat and staked in over the spot the cat has been using. I'm going to let my potatoes continue to grow simply because the cat can't poop there, but I doubt the potatoes will be eaten. What a waste but better safe than sorry.

Again to anyone reading - don't waste your money on Worry-Free.

[warhorse46]

I put them in the toe of an old knee high and hung it on the edge of one of my tomato cages, plus I took an old straw hat and staked in over the spot the cat has been using. I'm going to let my potatoes continue to grow simply because the cat can't poop there, but I doubt the potatoes will be eaten. What a waste but better safe than sorry.

Again to anyone reading - don't waste your money on Worry-Free.




Moth balls are toxic ONLY if eaten by an animal or human & you have almost eliminated that risk by putting them in the toe of an old knee high stocking. I doubt an adult cat would eat a moth ball even if it had free access to them. If the cats are not pooping where the potatoes are planted then I see no problem with eating them. Hope the moth balls resolve your cat problem.

[CindR]

Moth balls are toxic ONLY if eaten by an animal or human & you have almost eliminated that risk by putting them in the toe of an old knee high stocking. I doubt an adult cat would eat a moth ball even if it had free access to them. If the cats are not pooping where the potatoes are planted then I see no problem with eating them. Hope the moth balls resolve your cat problem.

They'll dissolve in the rain and get into the dirt. They also emit a gas that is toxic. I wouldn't be eating those tomatoes, either.

I would never encourage someone to doing something illegal like this, especially on this board.

[daHawg]

They'll dissolve in the rain and get into the dirt. They also emit a gas that is toxic. I wouldn't be eating those tomatoes, either.

I would never encourage someone to doing something illegal like this, especially on this board.

Most definitely, we had a neighbor 5 houses down that put out moth balls and crystals all over her flower beds and it smelled horrible especially after a rain. The city came and gave her a ticket for "use not intended for" of a poisonous product. She had to have all the dirt dug out and new topsoil put in. The city told her that there were lots of commercial products on the market that are not hazardous to humans or animals. Big no no using moth balls except for what they are intended to be used for.

[YoYo]

Maybe I'll try some honey next - attract the bees - they'll sting the cat. Will that make him go away?

[CindR]

Maybe I'll try some honey next - attract the bees - they'll sting the cat. Will that make him go away?

Why yes, yes it will. :laugh:

[kitty1182]

That sounds much better then red pepper flakes YoYo.
A kitty could literally scratch their eyes out trying to get rid of the red pepper flakes. :(

I know it's not your job to deal with anothers pets but if you have the heart to help the cats out, because obviously their owners aren't good cat owners, maybe you could set up a couple of potty stops in your yard. That may keep them out of the garden.

We have indoor cats and I also take care of whatever furball shows up at our house. I have found that having "potty stops" keeps them from using the gardens as restrooms.
Even an untrained cat appreciates a litterbox.:smile:

Good post my friend...:wub:

[Dogmatic]

Warhorse...........it will take a MASSIVE amount of pepper to cover half an acre. :) But, I have heard that before. I hate to do that and if I do it will only be in my veggie garden.

We used to put out moth balls to repel snakes. I was hoping someone knew of a cat repellant like that.

Not only will it take massive amounts of pepper to keep the cats away, but you have to keep applying it each time it rains. It also will bother the dogs that live and belong there.

I'm not a cat fan, and not because I don't like the animal, but because I don't care for the way MOST cat owners just let them run. Dogs are not allowed to run; and cats shouldn't be either.

They use my flower beds as a kitty litter box, they hunt songbirds for sport, and they torment my dogs.

Cat owners in general need to step up and be more responsible

[YoYo]

This is how you make friends and influence people? Killing a cat?

Why do you want to kill an innocent animal so badly and letting everyone here know about it?

jmo

:thumbdown:

Trust me. If I wanted to kill a cat I could think of ways much more effective than moth balls.

Nobody's killing cats. Give it a rest. :lol:

Oh, and where are my manners????????? Welcome, newbie.

[YoYo]

Not only will it take massive amounts of pepper to keep the cats away, but you have to keep applying it each time it rains. It also will bother the dogs that live and belong there.

I'm not a cat fan, and not because I don't like the animal, but because I don't care for the way MOST cat owners just let them run. Dogs are not allowed to run; and cats shouldn't be either.

They use my flower beds as a kitty litter box, they hunt songbirds for sport, and they torment my dogs.

Cat owners in general need to step up and be more responsible

I agree. The POA's ongoing refrain is "how do you know it isn't a stray?"

[Dogmatic]

I agree. The POA's ongoing refrain is "how do you know it isn't a stray?"

In the past I have used live traps. When I know it's a neighbor cat I deliver the cat back to them "once".

If it's a stray I take it to the humane society.

If I want cats in my yard on a frequent basis, I will get my own. Until that time, I expect the pet owners to be responsible, just as I am with my dogs.

I have neighbors that shoot the wandering cats with b-b guns. I won't do that.

But I will say that any pet that is allowed to wander is a "pest" not a "pet".

[warhorse46]

In the past I have used live traps. When I know it's a neighbor cat I deliver the cat back to them "once".

If it's a stray I take it to the humane society.

If I want cats in my yard on a frequent basis, I will get my own. Until that time, I expect the pet owners to be responsible, just as I am with my dogs.

I have neighbors that shoot the wandering cats with b-b guns. I won't do that.

But I will say that any pet that is allowed to wander is a "pest" not a "pet".



Use a supersoaker water gun to shoot the cats that come into your yard. Does no permanent damage & they hate it.