ChatterBank1 min ago
Is it OK to throw shoes at cats?
OK, don't get me wrong - I like cats. The problem is we live in a fairly built up area and next door have two cats. Next door only have a small garden which they do not maintain at all and is very overgrown - hence their cats can't "chill" in their garden. As a result, these two cats have taken a keen interest in our garden which is nicely maintained and has lovely plants etc.
When I say keen interest I mean they crap all over the place, dig up any newly planted shrubs/seeds and replace them with a soggy stinky turd, knock over the bird table and kill birds and leave them. I understand that this is completely natural for a cat but clearly I don't want it to happen; they are costing us money by ruining plants and costing us time when we have to clear up their turds.
I have tried plently of tactics which have incurred expense and affected how we use our garden, namely:
1) Installed 3 sonic deterrents in tactical positions (said cats most prolific dumping ground) at a cost of �35 each - these are harmless and emit a high pitched tone when a beam is crossed. These rather expensive items seem to have been rather ineffective; rather than scaring them, they seem to have some laxative power and induce the cats into curling one out right by the deterrents.
2) Applied a cat repellent in soiled areas. At �4 a bottle this stuff should work and to be fair was slightly more successful than above mentioned deterrents. However after following the instructions on the reverse, a few days after the course has been completed the cats strike back. To use the repllent continuously would cost �8 a week so isn't an option.
3) Applied a pint of water to cats when opportuniy arises. This is certainly the most effective treatment to date it would appear; upon application, the cats do a Usain Bolt back to their gaff, and economically it is the best option so far. The problem is, I can't spend my entire life waiting
When I say keen interest I mean they crap all over the place, dig up any newly planted shrubs/seeds and replace them with a soggy stinky turd, knock over the bird table and kill birds and leave them. I understand that this is completely natural for a cat but clearly I don't want it to happen; they are costing us money by ruining plants and costing us time when we have to clear up their turds.
I have tried plently of tactics which have incurred expense and affected how we use our garden, namely:
1) Installed 3 sonic deterrents in tactical positions (said cats most prolific dumping ground) at a cost of �35 each - these are harmless and emit a high pitched tone when a beam is crossed. These rather expensive items seem to have been rather ineffective; rather than scaring them, they seem to have some laxative power and induce the cats into curling one out right by the deterrents.
2) Applied a cat repellent in soiled areas. At �4 a bottle this stuff should work and to be fair was slightly more successful than above mentioned deterrents. However after following the instructions on the reverse, a few days after the course has been completed the cats strike back. To use the repllent continuously would cost �8 a week so isn't an option.
3) Applied a pint of water to cats when opportuniy arises. This is certainly the most effective treatment to date it would appear; upon application, the cats do a Usain Bolt back to their gaff, and economically it is the best option so far. The problem is, I can't spend my entire life waiting
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I like Mrs O, I really do- but I have to say I was shocked to read she puts carpet grippers down as a deterant for cats. Like Nosha here, I too am a real softy, I'm distraught if I step on a slug by accident. There's no way I could put grippers down knowing that it could seriously hurt any animal, no matter how much I disliked it coming into my garden.
I think the eggshells would be to deter slugs....
I tried copper with mine... we have WAY too many! Gross!!!!
I trod on a slug by mistake once 9with my shoes ON) and something really nasty squirted out of its backside!!! Bleurgh!!!
Was nearly sick on the spot!!!
Mrs O: Oh you are familiar with the Rampton Branch then... thought I had seen you there before actually.. your name rings a bell... (or was it Quasimodo???)
I tried copper with mine... we have WAY too many! Gross!!!!
I trod on a slug by mistake once 9with my shoes ON) and something really nasty squirted out of its backside!!! Bleurgh!!!
Was nearly sick on the spot!!!
Mrs O: Oh you are familiar with the Rampton Branch then... thought I had seen you there before actually.. your name rings a bell... (or was it Quasimodo???)
Sachs
Nice idea - but how does the timer come into it? I don't believe these cats have particularly regular bowel movements. I think that might cause a problem.
Oh and i don't have an outside tap. Or a sprinkler.
And i don't want to spend any more money. These two cats have cost me a small fortune. I'd have been better off investing in lots of shoes methinks
Nice idea - but how does the timer come into it? I don't believe these cats have particularly regular bowel movements. I think that might cause a problem.
Oh and i don't have an outside tap. Or a sprinkler.
And i don't want to spend any more money. These two cats have cost me a small fortune. I'd have been better off investing in lots of shoes methinks
