It is not cruel to keep cats indoors if they are properly looked after. Members of my family have house cats who are fit, healthy and emotionally well-balanced - verified by vets. Far better for them than cats who are expected to amuse themselves outside and get into fights, get bitten by rats resulting in infections, or get run over - all of which have happened to my cats in the past when they have been allowed outside.
And I don't think anyone's lecturing you - you asked a question - we've given you some ideas.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Er no I think if you read back. There is not any ideas on protecting bedding but "advice"on what I should be doing with my cats.
Re cats. I think youl find some cats do prefer to be indoors. I have had one. But most want to be outside and so they should be they are outdoor animals and therefore cruel to keep them in. And cats do some good
If it wasnt for cats going outside we would be overrun with mice in some parts of london.
I said that I use wire 'cloches' to protect seed beds and that I chase visiting cats off. I also said that when I'd had my own cats I'd found that keeping a dry sand box in a covered area had helped but wasn't foolproof. I also gave a link to a thread with other methods.
The reason why there aren't many suggestions of methods to keep cats off flower beds is because it's long been established that none of them seem to work. The only thing that seems to work is to keep the cats out of the garden.
Very frustrating for all concerned I agree.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think you need to chill fb. Don't you put pets into a protective environment for their benefit and yours? Birds have cages or avairies,rodents have cages,fish tanks,dogs have kennels and live indoors so why should cats not be treated like pets and revert to their natural instincts? Have you ever read how many millions of birds and animals are killed each year by outdoor cats? It is a lot. If micro pigs and rabbits can be house trained I am sure cats can too. I don't know why it is so socially unacceptable to walk cats but people do it. You could become the local eccentric.
I am not telling you what to do, or lecturing you I am just bringing this information to your attention.
My parents owned cats in the 80s and both went missing,either run over or used for coats,as I am led to believe there was a trend for this back then!?
My personal opinion and I know you didn't ask for it,is to keep them indoors and stimulate them with toys and play with them. Or get some fish as they can be left to their own devices with little or no consequence.
What annoys me is the stock answer of many ( Not all ) cat owners: " it's in their nature, I can't stop them " If a cat wandered into the garden where a large dog lived and was killed by said dog: would the cat owner be happy with the dog owner saying "it's in their nature , I can't stop them " ?
Wow. Im astounded. I am a responsible cat owner. I love all animals. Hence why my cats have bells on collars to protect wildlife. Both my cats are rescue so its not as if I had an input in earlier years and could "train "them to stay in. All animals are different. Dogs have their issues etc etc. With cats its mainly about where they go to toilet. Some of your answers come from those who are not speaking from any kind of direct experience. Dogs can be trained to leave cats alone
You cant teach a cat im the same way im afraid. To suggest I get a frigging fish is stupid. How bout we shut you humans in a house and lock the doors..hey youl have tv for stimulation hey. That should suffice! !It feels slightly like all your own frustration with the cat issue is being directed at me simply because im a cat owner. When you have no knowledge of my cats personally. My neighbours have no issue with them either. So whatever you are experiencing is not the same everywhere.
My original question was simply. Are their any methods you have tried successfully to deter them from your flowerbeds is all. Not to open up a cat debate. Fact is. They exist and they will roam around your garden.
So let me get this straight. You don't want your cats to crap in your own garden but aren't prepared to even consider the thought of putting some effort into TRYING to train your cat to do its business in a litter tray outside. Since you can train them to use a human toilet and surely an adult cat doesn't get struck dumb incapable of learning one would assume it a perfect win win situation.
So where do you, as an intelligent owner expect them to go? You're happy making it someone elses problem so long as you get what) in a quick low effort on your part you want) am I correct?
Is anyone else surprised that no one is offering you much help when we all struggle with the after math in our own gardens and so unsurprisingly don't want to encourage pet owners to forget that they should take SOME responsibility to the toxic waste their pets produce?
You CHOOSE to have a cat, its not a wild creature damaging your garden, its your own pet who will not doubt be most confused if you start shooting it eith a water pistol in what it once thought of as its nice safe territory and using chemicals that offend its nose or make its eyes sting so it no longer feels safe near the garden and maybe even leaves the home altogether in favour of a mad old lady three streets away who puts food out every night. Remember that, especially to a rescue animal who may have had its trust damaged already, what we put down in the garden is there to scare the cat off, make it uncomfortable and want to leave. Is that what you want to be doing to your cat?
Just as an aside, there are people out there who when a cat messes in their garden think nothing or putting down anti freeze to kill the animal. Yes its an disgusting act but worth considering when encouraging your cats to go elsewhere. I hope for your pets sake your neighbourhood is full old nice old ladies and less garden proud grumps.
If you want to go cat owner bashing with your stupid comments by all means. I never said I was not concerned about other people's gardens. If I found a solution that would deter without harm I would gladly pass it on. I do have a littertray for their use and take fulll responsibility for them. But if you know cats at all. You can not physically stop them going somewhere they not like dogs you know.
Let me reiterate for you. I completely understand the frustration felt by pple who have this issue especially when they dont own cats. But there are organic methods of control that can be used and im just trying to find it.im not getting much support in fact because everyone thats replied evidently are NOT cat owners. Judging by some of the suggestions definitely not.
So please only reply if you have some decent advice on gardening tips and natural deterents.
Hi filmbuffy, I don't have cats at the moment but have done for most of my gardening life. I've had partial success by putting a number of pea sticks and attaching thread between them in specific areas where I've just planted seeds or bulbs. You need to make sure that they have the litter tray or an alternative part of the garden to use instead, especially if you do have a lot of neighbouring gardens nearby.
I'm lucky because I live in the country. I only have one neighbour and the only comment I've had from them is that one of my cats was particularly useful at keeping the rabbits away! I have had far more damage to crops from rabbits and mice since not having any cats though.
As you've discovered there are some very strong opinions about cats on this forum!
.... But there are organic methods of control that can be used and im just trying to find it.....
Please, if or when you find organic methods that really work do let us know - as I've said, over the years many members of this forum have tried many many methods, from lion dung to various plants reputed to have a deterrent effect - nothing has been found to be very effective as far as I am aware.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
It is not cruel to keep cats indoors if they are properly looked after. Members of my family have house cats who are fit, healthy and emotionally well-balanced - verified by vets. Far better for them than cats who are expected to amuse themselves outside and get into fights, get bitten by rats resulting in infections, or get run over - all of which have happened to my cats in the past when they have been allowed outside.
And I don't think anyone's lecturing you - you asked a question - we've given you some ideas.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Re cats. I think youl find some cats do prefer to be indoors. I have had one. But most want to be outside and so they should be they are outdoor animals and therefore cruel to keep them in. And cats do some good
If it wasnt for cats going outside we would be overrun with mice in some parts of london.
I said that I use wire 'cloches' to protect seed beds and that I chase visiting cats off. I also said that when I'd had my own cats I'd found that keeping a dry sand box in a covered area had helped but wasn't foolproof. I also gave a link to a thread with other methods.
The reason why there aren't many suggestions of methods to keep cats off flower beds is because it's long been established that none of them seem to work. The only thing that seems to work is to keep the cats out of the garden.
Very frustrating for all concerned I agree.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think you need to chill fb. Don't you put pets into a protective environment for their benefit and yours? Birds have cages or avairies,rodents have cages,fish tanks,dogs have kennels and live indoors so why should cats not be treated like pets and revert to their natural instincts? Have you ever read how many millions of birds and animals are killed each year by outdoor cats? It is a lot. If micro pigs and rabbits can be house trained I am sure cats can too. I don't know why it is so socially unacceptable to walk cats but people do it. You could become the local eccentric.
I am not telling you what to do, or lecturing you I am just bringing this information to your attention.
My parents owned cats in the 80s and both went missing,either run over or used for coats,as I am led to believe there was a trend for this back then!?
My personal opinion and I know you didn't ask for it,is to keep them indoors and stimulate them with toys and play with them. Or get some fish as they can be left to their own devices with little or no consequence.
What annoys me is the stock answer of many ( Not all ) cat owners: " it's in their nature, I can't stop them " If a cat wandered into the garden where a large dog lived and was killed by said dog: would the cat owner be happy with the dog owner saying "it's in their nature , I can't stop them " ?
You cant teach a cat im the same way im afraid. To suggest I get a frigging fish is stupid. How bout we shut you humans in a house and lock the doors..hey youl have tv for stimulation hey. That should suffice! !It feels slightly like all your own frustration with the cat issue is being directed at me simply because im a cat owner. When you have no knowledge of my cats personally. My neighbours have no issue with them either. So whatever you are experiencing is not the same everywhere.
My original question was simply. Are their any methods you have tried successfully to deter them from your flowerbeds is all. Not to open up a cat debate. Fact is. They exist and they will roam around your garden.
So where do you, as an intelligent owner expect them to go? You're happy making it someone elses problem so long as you get what) in a quick low effort on your part you want) am I correct?
Is anyone else surprised that no one is offering you much help when we all struggle with the after math in our own gardens and so unsurprisingly don't want to encourage pet owners to forget that they should take SOME responsibility to the toxic waste their pets produce?
You CHOOSE to have a cat, its not a wild creature damaging your garden, its your own pet who will not doubt be most confused if you start shooting it eith a water pistol in what it once thought of as its nice safe territory and using chemicals that offend its nose or make its eyes sting so it no longer feels safe near the garden and maybe even leaves the home altogether in favour of a mad old lady three streets away who puts food out every night. Remember that, especially to a rescue animal who may have had its trust damaged already, what we put down in the garden is there to scare the cat off, make it uncomfortable and want to leave. Is that what you want to be doing to your cat?
Just as an aside, there are people out there who when a cat messes in their garden think nothing or putting down anti freeze to kill the animal. Yes its an disgusting act but worth considering when encouraging your cats to go elsewhere. I hope for your pets sake your neighbourhood is full old nice old ladies and less garden proud grumps.
Let me reiterate for you. I completely understand the frustration felt by pple who have this issue especially when they dont own cats. But there are organic methods of control that can be used and im just trying to find it.im not getting much support in fact because everyone thats replied evidently are NOT cat owners. Judging by some of the suggestions definitely not.
So please only reply if you have some decent advice on gardening tips and natural deterents.
Hi filmbuffy, I don't have cats at the moment but have done for most of my gardening life. I've had partial success by putting a number of pea sticks and attaching thread between them in specific areas where I've just planted seeds or bulbs. You need to make sure that they have the litter tray or an alternative part of the garden to use instead, especially if you do have a lot of neighbouring gardens nearby.
I'm lucky because I live in the country. I only have one neighbour and the only comment I've had from them is that one of my cats was particularly useful at keeping the rabbits away! I have had far more damage to crops from rabbits and mice since not having any cats though.
As you've discovered there are some very strong opinions about cats on this forum!
Please, if or when you find organic methods that really work do let us know - as I've said, over the years many members of this forum have tried many many methods, from lion dung to various plants reputed to have a deterrent effect - nothing has been found to be very effective as far as I am aware.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.