Are you looking for a simple solution to stop cats popping in the garden? Our feline friends are great at providing company, but it can be irritating when they use gardens as litter trays.
"Keeping unwanted cats out of your garden can be a challenge, but there are a few ways you can try to prevent cats from doing their business in your garden," Dr. Ronngren from ManyPets, tells Country Living.
"Tips such as not offering them food will discourage them from coming back, keeping your flower beds watered as cats don't love wet soil and covering parts of your garden with rocks and pebbles as they prefer soft surfaces, can all be helpful."
From water sprays to citrus scents, take a look at exactly how to stop cats pooping in the garden.
1. Odour repellent
Cats are renowned for exploring people's gardens, looking for places to leave their mark when homeowners aren't looking. One of the natural ways you can stop them from leaving deposits on your lawn is to scatter scents they don't like.
Cats are incredibly sensitive to smell so strong scents such as lavender, peppermint or cinnamon are great for keeping them away. Choose one of these scents, mix it with water and spray it around the garden. While this is just a short-term option, it's cost-effective and non-toxic.
2. Citrus peels
Another natural and simple solution to deter cats from your outdoor space is to finely chop citrus fruits (such as lemons, limes and oranges) and place them around the garden. Similar to lavender and peppermint, cats don't like the strong citrus scent.
You can also make your own solution by squeezing the fruits into the water if you'd rather spray it around the garden.
"Using natural scents as a deterrent can help to prevent cats from using the garden as a toilet," an expert from Pets4Homes tells us. "The chopped up peel of citrus fruits is a good place to start, as the citrus oils in the peel will keep cats away from flower beds. Using organic matter also means that the peel will turn into compost, so there is no clean up required."
3. Install a motion-activated sprinkler
This option might be more expensive than the others, but it's incredibly effective. Cats hate getting wet, so a motion-activated sprinkler which turns on every time it detects the movement and heat of an animal is great to consider if you're feeling fed up.
Every time a cat wanders into your garden the sprinkler will release a sudden burst of water, along with a startling noise, to scare them away.
4. Using sound motion detectors
Similar to how the water sprinklers work, ultrasonic cat deterrents will emit a very high frequency when they detect movement. Usually, the sounds are very off-putting to cats but can hardly be heard at all by humans. These only cover a small area of the garden, so it's best to place them at entry points.
5. Cover your garden with twigs
Cats aren't fond of prickly ground underfoot, so placing twigs or rough leaves on flower beds will help to keep them away. While it might not make your garden look pretty, it's a simple solution to keep them at bay.
Other options to consider also include placing down stone mulch, eggshells, holly cuttings or repurposed plastic carpet runners.
6. Bananas
Cats also don't like the smell of bananas, so another way to stop them from pooping in your garden is to finely chop bananas and scatter them around your flower beds. Ripening bananas give off a strong smell that cats simply can't stand. Want to scare them away? This could be worth a try.
7. Keep your garden clean
If your cat seems to always visit the same spot, consider giving it a hose down with soapy water. While this can throw cats off their own scent, it may simply make them move to another part of your garden.
8. Make flower beds less appealing spots
"Cats like soft spaces with enough space to dig around when going to the toilet, so there are a few things you can do to prevent them from using your garden for this purpose," the team at Pets4Home explain.
"Placing twigs around your flower beds can help to make the soft soil a less attractive place to go to the loo, or you can use egg shells, which also become com post. Alternatively, you can try placing your plants closer together to give your cat less space to go to the toilet, although this involves a bit more work."
9. Use an outdoor litter tray
If all else fails, you could try placing an outdoor litter tray in your garden for them to use. Of course, it's not your job to clean up the mess from your neighbour's cat, but it could be a smart way to stop them from pooping on your favourite flowers.
Pets4Homes say: "If making your cat give up al fresco toilet trips entirely turns out to be a losing game, you can try to contain their habits by using an outdoor litter tray. This gives cats the option to keep their habits tidy and the garden clean."
15 best cat toys to keep them entertained
notonthehighstreet.com Cat Scratch Rainbow
Are you sick of being a human scratching post? Well, we have the perfect solution. This sturdy cardboard creation is not simply for your visual pleasure... but for your cat's entertainment AND health.
Your cat will love the idea of sinking her claws into one of nature's miracles. Plus, scratching the corrugated cardboard will keep your cat's claws clean, strong and healthy... while protecting your furniture at the same time.
AONKEY Robotic Interactive Cat Toy
This interactive toy will give you the same enjoyment of watching your cat flying around, without you actually having to lift a finger.
These rolling toys work on carpet, tile and wood floors. They also come with several attachments, so your cat can play with a ball one day and a ribbon the next. This will stop them from getting bored easily.
notonthehighstreet.com Three Cat Toy Balls
If you're fed up with buying your cat plastic toys that require new batteries every five minutes, we've got the solution for you.
These felt balls will keep your cat entertained for hours on end... plus they require next to no work for you.
notonthehighstreet.com Catnip Toy
Catnip toys have the tendency to fall apart when played with too often. However, this beautifully designed fish toy is bite-resistant and built with sturdier fabric to ensure it is long-lasting.
Etsy Cat Treat Dispenser
This new interactive cat toy is going to bring a lot of fun to your cat's day. It is perfectly designed to keep them busy and fulfil their needs.
Plus, the toy is durable and made with safe and pet-friendly material so that you can let your cat enjoy the toy with peace of mind.
Etsy Cat Ball Tower
This interactive ball tower will keep your cat entertained for hours on end. The balls' movement will have your four-legged friend hooked within seconds.
Etsy Collapsible Rainbow Cat Tunnel
Not only is this the cutest toy on the internet, but it is also highly entertaining for your cat. The collapsible rainbow tunnel reconfigures into different shapes, so your cat won't get tired of it over time.
It also comes with an attached star-shaped toy and a comfortable nest for your four-legged friend.
Etsy Eco-friendly Cat Teaser Wand
Has your cat turned into a bit of a couch potato? Fear not, you can get them up and running again with this Eco-friendly cat teaser.
This teaser is comfortable to hold and wave around as the wooden handle has been sanded with the finest of sandpaper to give a lovely smooth finish.
The wand has also been hand-painted with Non-toxic animal-friendly paint to add simple elegance and a touch of colour.
Etsy Cat Laser Pen
So simple, yet effective. This laser will not only tire your cat out... it will provide you with the fun of watching them chase the elusive dot around the room.
Looking for something a little different? This woven cat house from MADE is perfect for both playing and napping. Plus, its black exterior will blend right in with your interiors.
What more could you ask for from your cat toy?
The realistic mouse's tail rotates randomly to captivate your cat's attention - allowing them to fully exercise their instincts of catching and chasing.
This interactive toy is also equipped with a realistic mouse that is filled with catnip and makes a sound.
The cheese teaser is an exciting game of peek-a-boo that will see two mice pop out of each side of the block. Trust us, your cat will love the hunt!
For surprise play sessions, use Play While You Are Away mode to keep cats engaged throughout the day.
FANTESI Cat Food Ball Dispenser
This cat food ball dispenser will make your cat work for their treats in a fun and entertaining way. As the cat plays, chases and swats the ball treats are released for a yummy surprise.
BlackHole Litter Mat Interactive Swimming Robot Fish Toy
If your cat is guilty of terrorising the birds or chasing the squirrels you may benefit from these interactive swimming toys. They will keep your cat occupied while being outside.
All you have to do is fill up a tub of water, turn the electronic fishes on and drop them in. Once they hit the surface they will automatically begin moving around.
Plus, they light up to really capture the attention of your cat!
SmartyKat Electronic Cat Toy
This electronic toy is perfect for energetic cats. It will help keep them entertained without your involvement. It encourages your four-legged friend to pounce and play due to its coloured lights and a fluffy-ended wand.
The SmartyKat electronic cat toy also has adjustable speeds, so you can customise it to match your pet's agility level.