My Local newspaper with the article. It’s Dutch.
I came across an article in my local newspaper, about cats giving trouble. The local authority got a lot of complains from people about cats using their garden as a litter box, a lot of noise and meowing from cats. Because it happens in privately owned gardens, the local authority can’t do anything about it. But in the newspaper they did give some tips to keep cats away from your lovely garden.
Tips to keep cats away from your garden
Electric fencing specially made for cats. The shock won’t be that heavy and you can attach it to your fence on anything. I’m not sure what to think of this, honestly. I would never place this. Then again, I don’t have a garden. Ok, skip this tip.- On places where the rain doesn’t reach, spray some lemon/citrus-juices. Can’t don’t like that smell.
- Or place some lemon peel or any other citrus peel on the soil of potted plant, the cats should leave the flower alone.
- Place coffee grounds on places cats dig a lot.
I can imagine that your garden will stink like coffee on hot summer days. - Plant plants that cats don’t like such as Common Rue or plants with a lemon smell.
Make sure it isn’t poisonous for the cats. - Spray the plants with a solution of a little cayenne and water. It’s nontoxic to the animals, doesn’t hurt the plants, and the cats sure hate the smell of it when they sniff around. BUT (big but) cayenne pepper can be harmful if eaten or gotten in the eyes.
- Take a look at the leash laws of your country/state.
- Chicken wire is very handy! Lay chicken wire down on top of your soil (or mulch, if you’re using mulch in the bed), across the planting bed, before you plant. Because cats disdain walking on chicken wire.
- Sprinklers. Cat hate water.
- Mothballs (drop them into a can or jar, cover, and make a few holes in the cover).
Be aware that Mothballs and cayenne pepper are toxic. That is why it is recommended to keep mothballs covered in a can or jar. Avoid even this usage if small children will be in the yard and eventually can open the can or jar. If you’re an animal lover and to be on the cautions side, then save the cayenne paper for food, and the mothballs in your closet.
Tips to keep your cat inside (your garden).
- Place a high fence with vertical laths, so it won’t be easy for the cat to cross it, or to climb on it.
- Plant plants cat love. Like catnip, Alyssum, Teucrium, or cat grass.
Tips for cat owners.
- Neuter your cats. Neutered cats aren’t that noisy, and it won’t make other cats pregnant with unwanted kittens.
If you don’t neuter your cat for whatever reason, it might get health issues. And if you do neuter, your cat will love longer. I think it’s irresponsible to let un-neutered cats outside. - Chip your cat. Vets and shelters will be able to ‘read’ the chip in your cat, so it knows it has a home.
- Keep cats in heat inside. So they can be noisy inside, and not outside. Which won’t make people mad at your cat. You never know what people are capable of, when they are mad.
sources: Wikipedia, care2.com, My local newspaper.
the lemon really works!!! (we use it around the house on things we dont want Jimmie to chew, he smells it and walks away!!)
That’s great! I haven’t tried it yet because it’s not really needed – yet. But I’m sure I have to in the future.
Strangely, I don’t have a problem with cats coming into my yard
but if I did we have lots of lemons in Georgia 
Some very interesting tips.
That is a good thing, right?
Who doesn’t like cats in their yard? I mean, I don’t like it when they spray, but I’ve never tried to keep them out.
A lot of people! Especially here.
My mother already freaks out when the neighbor cat is in her precious garden.
Ah! Dutch! I wondered. Glad to know.
Haha, yes! I translated most of it.
Having some hospitality set out (kitty kibble and water) for visiting kitties helps a bit, but I don’t generally have a problem with them.
But, when I had a pair of siamese cats, the lemon scent didn’t bother them at all when used around their first Christmas tree. They had their turns at scratching the tree. At least the tree didn’t tip over.
They didn’t mind the lemon scent? Really? Well, every cat is unique. :p
I don’t mind cats in the garden either. I don’t have one anymore, but I was always curious to the cats that came in the garden.
Cats and christmas trees, tricky!
Oh, about the tree! Somebody once advised me to put foil around the tree. Apparently it was supposed to be unpleasant for cats to step on it. Either Usyaka was too curios or she just didn’t feel anything unpleasant but it didn’t help much.
Hmm … I don’t know much about gardens which cats like to visit ( I’ve never had my own … yet) but do they really bother so much? I mean they don’t just leave it there like dogs, they hide it, because they are scared of predators. I guess only people who follow those cats can actually see WHERE the cat did all the things.
Anyway, I hope that people over there are generally cat-friendly
They don’t reallt bother much, but they might mess up flower gardens and such. (digging, etc). Well, there was a ‘cat-hater’ in my previous neighborhood. He (we probably know who it is) threw the cats in the water, but the shore was too high for the cats to climb out, so they would drown. My parents’ cat was thrown in as well, but saved by the daughter of the possibly ‘cat-hater’. The reason why he did that was probably because the cats used his garden as a litterbox a lot. Because many people heard him cursing and swearing about it.
@ the tree thing: Foil is supposed to work. It should be working as well when cats scratch the wall.
Actually I don’t have problems about cats in our little garden too. My only problem is, our little garden is being very interesting place for birds too… and Cats hunt them, this makes me so angry!!!! Thank you dear Dianda, this was interesting post, and good things about this. With my love, nia
If you keep a small area of earth frequently turned over in your garden you can control where cats dig. They much prefer the easy option!
Sounds like a great tip! Thank you.
hi to all catsnco.wordpress.comers this is my first post and thought i would say hi –
speak soon
garry m