Comments on: bring it, cats

By: Melissa Bear

Melissa Bear — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:17:09 +0000

I put orange peels in my front garden which was a bathroom for the cats and suprisingly no more cat poops! Cats do not like the smell of citrus. It worked for me so you might want to give it a try.

By: Beth Ann

Beth Ann — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:48:21 +0000

My mom always put moth balls down in the flower beds to keep the kitties away. I guess they don't like that smell (neither do I!).

By: m

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:51:21 +0000

Cinnamon?
http://la.apartmenttherapy.com/la/gardening/the-natural-garden-critter-repellent-cinammon-028024

By: Lolamako

Lolamako — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:30:58 +0000

BTW Brad, humane society's do NOT socialize trapped feral cats. They are euthanized. If you have feral cats that are sterilized they will keep other feral cats from colonizing that area, by removing them you are opening the door to increased cat population from un-sterilized cats.

By: Lolamako

Lolamako — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:24:48 +0000

I buy cheap bamboo stakes, cut them into 6-9 inch pieces, and stick them, straight up, in my garden at random intervals. Works just fine, costs next to nothing, and are easy to move. In fact it could cost nothing, if you have some straight sticks or even driftwood you could collect and use.

By: pulltaffy

pulltaffy — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:40:35 +0000

Amy- I live in PA. It's actually a good thing where I am, for the reasons discussed in the post- stray/unsupervised cats are a nuisance to neighbors, and a danger to pets that are in their own yards. Most importantly, it's not safe to let a cat roam the streets. They could be hit by a car, hurt by another animal, or mistreated by cruel people. One of my cats was rescued from people who let their cats loose. He was very young and was in a neighbor's yard, and the man who lived there came and found him and kicked him in the face. He very nearly died, and he has permanent disfigurement as a result. It's simply not safe to let pets run around loose, so I think the law is a good thing. It's meant to protect animals and encourage responisble pet ownership. (Sorry if I sound preachy, that's not how I mean to come across, but I can't help but feel strongly about this- you might call it a "pet peeve"!)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:38:52 +0000

Above comments from Katrina are true---cats DO NOT like citrus smells. We have plenty of strays here---I have had good luck with some of the ornamental basils that have a lemony scent---they look pretty, are low maintenance, and seem to do the trick with the kitties.

By: Amy in Cambridge

Amy in Cambridge — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:52:57 +0000

Pulltaffy~ Where does one live that a cat can not roam freely? I have an equal amount of surprise that one could be fined for allowing a cat outside.....unless I'm not understanding something. Just curious, cuz I've never heard of this.

Megan, I have really enjoyed your exploration of this issue. Someday I hope to have a yard and will remember all of this stuff.

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:55:50 +0000

Hopefully the chicken wire will work for you. If you find they're still coming back, you can try getting an "economy pack" of disposable plastic forks and sticking them into the ground, tines up and out of the dirt, in the problem area. You have to pack them tightly, but the cats won't dig if they get poked all the time. I have two indoor kitties who really love to dig in my houseplants. The forks were the only thing that worked for us. (We tried lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, aluminum foil, rocks, pepper-sprayed lava rock, commercial cat sprays, etc.) It also brings some funny looks from first-time guests. I guess you could paint the tines green and have a cat-proof "lawn".

By: pulltaffy

pulltaffy — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:03:42 +0000

Is it legal for people to let their cats roam around? Not only is it super dangerous, but in my area, it's illegal. You can get a hefty fine if your cat is left loose. I'm surprised it's not the case where you live, too!

By: Myam

Myam — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:45:03 +0000

i will definitely try this. our "stench-provider" is a wee little kitty that has taken to harassing/analyzing our house cat. thanks for the idea! :)

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:23:46 +0000

Yes on the rue suggestion. Try it mixed with ginger and lavender (equal parts), then sprinkle it around the front planting bed.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:49:02 +0000

It's good to see so many creative and humane ideas to address the issue. I have friends who talk about using less humane methods to deter cats, so now I can give them some alternatives.

By: Katrina

Katrina — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:29:59 +0000

Cats don't care for RUE (a striking perennial that Monarch caterpillars seem to like) or CITRUS smells of any kind. (Believe it or not, one type of kitty litter is made from dried orange peels - my cats all hate it).

Also, cats love to PEE on brush, dead plants, or any little pile of trash. POOPwise, they like to get their dig on in dry, sandy dirt or loose, loamy earth. With all options equal, they still don't like doing both in the same spot. One cat sets a precedent, and the others follow.

Cats are such creatures of habit that it's sometimes easier to redirect their interest toward one or two small, specific areas instead of trying to discourage them from a larger area.

The two products that we find most effective at removing urine odors: Zero Odor (www.zeroodor.com) for indoors, and CB-Pet (www.ecochem.com) for outdoors.

PS Regarding Brad's comment: most cats that end up at humane societies are euthanized. TNR (trap-neuter-return) - like what's been done in the original poster's neighborhood - is more humane, more effective, and cheaper.

By: Tina

Tina — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:07:05 +0000

Our neighbor's cats like to pee behind our trash cans on our cement patio. I have used lemon juice and vinegar to try to get rid of this bad habit. Even washing the area with bleach doesn't seem to help. I never knew cats would go on cement. So far, nothing's working...