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A mulch that doesn't attract cat's to use as a toilet?

DaddyADaddyA Posts: 33
in Problem solving
My neighbour has got a lovely new cat whilst the others have dogs who stay in their own garden. 
We've not been gardening for long so this is all new to me. 
I have read bark chippings and gravel both invite cats to use the area as their loo. 
As we are only just starting to plant things around the garden, what is an alternative mulch which will not invite cats?

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Posts

  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394
    Barbed wire!
    East Yorkshire
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    20mm gravel seems to be fine for me. I haven't used bark yet. Manure also seems to be left alone. 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Xander RanderXander Rander Posts: 70
    @DaddyA I can confirm that wood bark does not keep them away unfortunately! I too have a dire situation where several cats come to my garden, as well as foxes and badgers and use it as a dumping ground!

    if you find a solution that does not involve buying a dog... let me know! Good luck
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited May 2019
    Larger shingle (20mm as suggested above), pebbles and / or slate chippings are possibly your best best - if you're happy with a stone mulch. Personally, I don't think it's great over a large bed. Some people have a problem with using the smaller (10mm) pea shingle but I am surrounded by (other peoples') cats and it's not been a problem for me. (We have a shingle drive and patios)

    They also don't seem to be particularly attracted to the large pine nuggets which are a good alternative if you prefer the look of a bark mulch. They are quite a lot chunkier than regular bark mulch and (IMO) more attractive. They are more expensive but probably last 3 times as long. Nice smell when they first go down too.

    Like these ones (the de-luxe not the play nuggets)

    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/deluxe-pine-nuggets?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_tqCy5a24gIVGs93Ch0QfAnbEAQYASABEgJf4vD_BwE

    You can either order online from various suppliers or pick up bags from garden centres - but make sure it's the large, sorted nuggets. 


    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Cats like loose soil to do there business in so anything loose will do for them, just because the soil is loose or you have loose bark e.t.c doesn't mean that the cats will automatically use it for toilet duties, if they do start to use is however it can be difficult to deter them. I have had this problem in the front garden and it took years and many attempts to stop it happening but found that by removing the bark and letting the soil compact made it less attractive to cats for doing their business in.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Sprinkle holly leaves on top of the mulch.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    B3 said:
    Sprinkle holly leaves on top of the mulch.
    Brilliant!

    As well as loose soil, they like a clear spot to dig, scuffle around in and bury their leavings. When your plants are young with gaps in between is the danger period. Once they have filled out and there is little clear space they won’t find it attractive.

    They love my raised veg beds with all that lovely loose soil. Where I have direct sown seed or the plants are small and unable to defend themselves against rampaging cats, I lay out a network of loose, criss-crossing horizontal sticks around all bare areas. 

    Brown plastic mesh fencing (comes on a roll) pegged down on top of your mulch also stops them digging and is invisible if your mulch is organic. You can cut bigger holes in it to plant through, enlarge the holes as the plants grow then cut it out entirely when everything has filled out.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • techskeltechskel Posts: 37
    I have 40mm slate down but that is probably too large for mulching as it’s just an old area of earth that I’m covering for now.
    I have 20mm slate in some borders that have been kept clear that I can see. 
    I used to have bark in the bordered but suffered the same problem. 
    The cats around here ignore the ‘bury’ rule & have evolved to just do it anywhere. Once in the 40mm slate & even on my drive, they also like to perch on my tubs to pee in! 

    All of my neighbours side & back have one or two cats, then a woman a few doors up has 6! It’s a losing battle to be honest. Good job I like cats, just not clearin up after them. 
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I've used welded wire fencing, the type covered in green plastic coating. laid flat on the ground, I used it on garlic plants to protect them from both the cat and chickens scratching. it worked and does blend in better than you would think.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    When I had the problem with cats I used rose cuttings, carpet gripper, sticks with string lattice, netting, half full water bottles which are supposed to creak when the expand, grated coal tar soap, jeyes fluid to no avail, when they start doing it they won't stop and it's hard to break their habit.
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