2 Simple Tricks to Stop Cats From Going to the Bathroom on Your Yard
Whether you have cats of your own, or live in an area with neighbours who own cats, the likelihood is at some point they will poop in your garden.
While most cats like to keep their toilet habits private and will bury their poops, some felines get into the habit of pooping on lawns or avoiding their own backyards altogether for another plot. And that’s the last thing you want to find when you’re trimming your grass or planting up your flower beds.
So, to help you regain control of your garden and deter cats from using it as a porta potty, here are some recommended tricks you can use.
Essential Oils
Like dogs, cats have a keen sense of smell — so by learning which smells they don’t like, you can deter cats from coming onto your garden, or get them to avoid certain areas.
Try scents such as:
- Citrus
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle, then apply to your garden. Repeat as necessary. You can also use citrus peels for a longer-lasting solution.
Laying Down Twigs
Another solution that is particularly useful if cats tend to use your flower beds, is to lay twigs or chicken wire over any bare patches of soil. Twigs are easier to maneuver, and particularly good for veg patches so that the plants don’t get disturbed while they grow.
If you find messes on your lawn, one solution is to create an outside litter tray/an area where they can poop.
If it’s your own cats that’s started going in the garden, you can introduce them to their new toilet spot in the same way you would their litter tray, by gently holding their front paws and “digging” in it a little.
If transferring from a litter tray to outside, put a little of their cat litter in the spot so they recognize the smell.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, Woman’s World.
