Fox problem

[Louise123]

How do I stop foxes from digging up my buried cat.  My cat died about 2 months ago and was laid to rest.  A fox is now coming into my garden each night and digging him up.  This happended twice so i built a rockery over where he is buried.  The fox is now trying to dig sideways to get to him.  What can I do to stop this from happening.  I really don't want to have to dig up my cat and move him.  Please help as this is very distressing. Thanks

[Artful]

Poor you. I was going to suggest a rockery, but well you've done that. We did that for one of ours and that's worked as we get foxes nad badgers regularly. I hope someone will come up with something.

[jake-the-peg]

Have you tried emptying a tin of english mustard powder over the area? A nostril full of that should discourage most wildlife - But you might not want to do that if you got a new cat.

[smudge]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat Louise.You could buy some Get Off Crystals from Pets at Home or Wilkinsons & sprinkle them around the grave & over the rockery. It is a deterrent for both cats & dogs, so could very well work for foxes too. Good luck.

[Gilli]

Sorry to perhaps sound indelicate - I don't mean to be because I'm a cat lover and owner of 3 too - but is your cat's body within a sealed container ? ..... I'm only asking because obviously the fox is continuing to be attracted to the remains and the only way it would know where the cat is buried is by scent.

Understandably, many people wish dead pets to naturally decompose and thereby nourish the earth ... hence many people plant special shrubs etc. over the grave. However, it's easy to see how this could attract unwanted attention.

I read somewhere that foxes hate the smell of diesel oil !! If you can identify the point of entry into your garden as it were, a few strategically placed diesel soaked rags hung from the fence / trees /bushes may deter them. Or perhaps place some diesel filled jamjars amongst the flowerbeds ?

If this fails, and you haven't already done so, you may have to hermetically seal your cat so there's no longer any scent remaining to alert the fox.

[Louise123]

thank you for all your answers.  I will give them a go.  

Gilli - will give the petrol a try and if that fails I suppose I will have to somehow put him in a box.  

Really silly question probably but why did the fox not take him away - just leave him (intact).  And why does he dig it up again even though he did the same the night before.  Do they really not remember what happended the night before???

One more - are you sure the crystals aren't harmful to other cats - my girl cat is pregnant !!! 

Thanks everyone

[smudge]

Louise - if you take a look at this website (scrolling down the page) you will see that Get Off Crystals & Spray are: 'Effective, economical & environmentally friendly to people, plants & pets'. Bear in mnid, they are cheaper to buy in Pets at Home or Wilkinsons. Good luck.

http://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/garden-pest-control.html

[smudge]

P.S. I wouldn't buy anything unless it was safe for wildlife or pets, as our Granddaughter sometimes brings her little Guinea Pig round, which she takes out in the garden!

[smudge]

Did that info help at all Louise?

[PurplePixie]

This is a bit drastic, but it will stop the fox. It might be a bit hard to do, but no more difficult than having your much loved cats grave disturbed. You could put the body into a cardboard box & then cover him up with quick drying cement to completely encapsulate him. That will completely hide him from the fox & he can rest in peace.

[Louise123]

Hi all.  I bought some stay away crystals last night but unfortunately the foxes still had a go.  My dad (bless him) has now moved him for me to a deeper grave - filling the hole with bricks half way down.  I'm really hoping this will work this time.

Just want to thank all of your for your kind and thoughtful replies. xxx