Stopping a cat using my garden as a toilet

[spotit3]

How do I stop next door's cat using my flower bed as a toilet? Every morning the soil is all over the driveway and the cat has left her calling card in the flower bed. It is driving me bonkers!!

[wildwood]

First inform your neighbour that their cat leaves its filthy excrement in your garden. They may not be aware what their feline gets up to, and become a responsible pet owner. After a reasonable time, anything you do is ok with me except for actually hurting the cat, as it is not their fault.
It is notable that you may not have a crowing rooster, barking dog, or any animals that even in the slightest may annoy your neighbour. There are far too many cat owners that are voters so your local body council is very reluctant to take any action on cats.

[garner]

Try and find the point of entry to your flower bed..ie is he/she coming up the drive way or over a wall.When found put some pepper dust down you can buy it at garden centres or pet shops put some down at the point of entry and you will stop the cat entering, it does not hurt the cat,they just dont like it,if its windy or raining you will have to replace.good luck

[girlygirl2]

Wildwood - I'm not trying to be dispectful and certainly not wanting to argue but what would the cat owner be expected to do?
OK they could pick up the poop after the cat has done it but apart from that - they cant actually stop the cat from doing it in my opinion.

[spotit3]

Thank you everyone for the trouble you took to answer. My neighbour does know but doesn't do anything about it. Mind you I ssuppose you can't really train your pet. Thanks Garner for your advice re pepper powder. I am off to the petshop tomorrow to see if I can find any as I know the enrt point exactly.

[wildwood]

girlygirl2 A responsible cat owner will ensure that their pet doesn't foul their neighbours property. This can be achieved in various ways. It is funny that most people who breed show cats seem to be able to restrict their cats to their own property.
If a covered clean sandy place is maintained in the garden, a cat will be only to happy to do its business there. Some keep their cat in at night.
One of my neighbours has an 18" wide length of wirenetting spanned between wire along the top of the fence. That took 2 men only 3 hour to put up.

It is not the neighbours responsibility to keep the cats out; it is the owner's reponsibility to keep them in.
This 'what are we to do' attitude does not wash with me. Taking on any pet is accompanied by responsibilities to ensure that suitable facilities are provided and it is looked after properly. This includes ensuring that your pet does not foul/damage/annoy your neighbour or their property. If someone can not provided suitable care perhaps it would be more appropriate if they get a hamster.

[girlygirl2]

Restrict a cat to indoors when all its life it was allowed outdoors? Thats cruel in my opinion as cats are hunters and love nothing better than going to play outside and if they are lucky maybe catch a snake - (worm, snake whatever!) :O)
Not everyone could afford to have a wirenetting up and some people rent houses and wouldnt be allowed to do that even if they could - but its a good idea in therory.
The pepper from a previous answer is probably the best idea but obviously not weaher proof.
I dont think that you can stop a cat in all honesty, look how many cats there are in the world and to be honest they dont cause as much damage as you are probably thinking. Also if every cat owner HAD to put up a wire netting, dont you think that this would become an eyesore?