#Cat Spraying Rehoming
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mom’s parting punishment on the couch pisser
#odette#am joking because it is breaking my heart to think of another cat being a sprayer#can’t deal with the heartache of contemplating rehoming#I’ve dismantled the couch and put a feliway defuser behind it#sprayed it down with enzyme cleaner and spray deterrent
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The 20 best couch cleaners
We’ll explore the 20 best couch cleaners that offer effective, reliable solutions for every type of fabric and finish. Discover the top-rated products that homeowners swear by to keep their couches spotless and smelling great, when it comes to maintaining a clean and inviting living space, having the right couch cleaners on hand is essential. Your couch is often the centerpiece of your home, a place where family and friends gather, making it a magnet for spills, stains, and everyday dirt. Finding the best couch cleaners can make all the difference in keeping your furniture looking fresh and extending its lifespan. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn stains, pet odors, or simply want to refresh your upholstery, there’s a wide range of options available to suit your needs. From powerful sprays to natural solutions, the right product can transform your cleaning routine. In this guide.
#deadpool#wolverine#deadpool and wolverine#deadpool 3#logan howlett#wade wilson#poolverine#my post#odette#am joking because it is breaking my heart to think of another cat being a sprayer#can’t deal with the heartache of contemplating rehoming#I’ve dismantled the couch and put a feliway defuser behind it#sprayed it down with enzyme cleaner and spray deterrent
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this man needs a home!
hello! this very friendly little stray orange boy in Houston TX needs somewhere to live that is not my house! I’m willing to drive within the texas triangle, or meet someone halfway. he is free to a good home and has had some basic vetting.



what’s his deal?
he’s about two, about ten pounds, and is freshly neutered, rabies vaxxed, and flea/tick/mite treated with revolution ii. he is a known community cat with no microchip, he will need a more thorough vetting and to be microchipped, but I’m currently unemployed and $200 is the max i can really spend on this man. happy to forward you his vet records, but my name and address are plastered all over them so i will not be posting them.
he’s extremely people-social and friendly (you can sling him around with one hand as he purrs up a storm) and im assuming cat social since I have seen him peaceably hanging out with other strays outside and he wants to be friends with my cat So Bad. he’s just orange.
why is he in my bathroom and why can’t he live there forever?
this cat has been the bane of my cat Mackintosh’s existence since we moved, because he wants to be friends So Bad i had to put up bird spikes on my windows and balcony to stop him from jumping up. he’s also been spraying on my front door. my cat’s solution to any stressor is throwing up. in the process of ruling out various tummy troubles, my vet and i agreed that this little orange man is a major stress trigger and if he came back (i have not seen him in months) i should scoop him up and rehome him. my cat wants him dead and there would never ever be a peaceful introduction or coexistence, unfortunately.
who else has been contacted?
BARC, Friends4Life, Houston Cares, Purrfect Cat, Animal Justice League, Adopt A Cat Texas, and Citizens for Animal Protection. I’m making my way through a list of tiny private Facebook rescues, but every major shelter in Houston is genuinely at capacity. we are going to try again at BARC next Sunday (9/15) during their open intake hours, since we tried last Sunday and they accepted exactly three cars. if the absolute worst comes to worst he will go back outside, since I’m not willing to put my existing cat through the severe anxiety of this man in her home for more than two weeks. however that is only a partial solution to “the sight of this cat makes my cat flip her shit and then throw up her next two meals”. hopefully it will stop him spraying on my front door though.
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What advice do you have for someone who wishes to (eventually, as soon as she has both the space and the money) have a cat, but who has never had a pet before?
Oh goodness, I don’t feel like an expert but I will do my best! Here’s a few tips I can think of from my own experiences:
1) Decide how okay you are with shedding. Of my two cats, the long-haired one obviously sheds a lot more noticeably, and it can be a bit aggravating to find clumps of fur all over the carpet. Hard floors can make this less of a nuisance since you can sweep it up easily, but if you have a lot of carpet, I’d suggest a short-hair cat unless you just SUPER LOVE long-hairs. Of course, my cats were both strays so those kinds of considerations didn’t really factor in. 😅
2. Determine if you want a cat that is indoor/outdoor or indoor only. Now, there is a lot of argument against letting cats run free outdoors, but I used to live out on a farm right next to a trailer park full of stray cats, so a few more (all fixed) weren’t going to make much difference to the local wildlife. Once I moved into town, though, I rehomed my one cat I knew would be miserable being indoor-only, and the other two have adapted pretty well to being indoor cats. (They do try and sneak out the door sometimes, though.) I did this mainly because risks like being hit by cars or being mistaken for a stray and adopted by some well-meaning person are much higher in town. They are still risks elsewhere, though, so keep a collar on your cat, and consider getting it microchipped. Also, know that you will probably need to get the cat some extra shots, for diseases they can only get outside. Also also, make sure you spay/neuter! (The kitten issue aside, female cats are so WEIRD when they are in heat!)
For indoor cats, my house has stairs the cats can run up and down and they seem to stay in good shape, but just make sure they have some kind of ability to exercise if they can’t run much. Stimulating things like feeder dishes that make the cat work for its food can help mentally and with keeping them from overeating. (I got this neat feeding bowl that is actually a holder of five cups of varying sizes that get filled with food, and the cats have to paw it out of the cups. It’s really helped with how fast they were eating.)
3. Cats have very different personalities, so I think it’s good to try and figure out what a cat is like before adopting it. I kept all my cats because they were really friendly compared to other cats I had known. Of course, there is the issue where my two current cats don’t always get along, but they at least don’t get into full-on brawls. But if you don’t have any other pets when you get the cat, this should be easier - you only have to get it used to you! Cats don’t always show friendlieness by cuddling; a lot of times, they just want to be in the room with you. But if you’re looking for a cuddler, see if you can find one that isn’t too afraid of people and will come right up for petting. When introducing it to your home, give it plenty of space and time to get used to its new surroundings and roommate.
4. Remembering to feed and water and change the cat litter can be hard, especially if you have ADHD. >.> My solution on the water front has been to fill a large decorative bowl in the living room and the cats just drink off that. XD For the food, Stormy will always remind me when she thinks the food is low (this is generally a false alarm the first couple times, the drama queen). Make sure you clean the litter box frequently, or the cats may find other, less agreeable locations to go. 8/ (Such as, oh I don’t know, INSIDE THE DRYER ON MY CLEAN LAUNDRY) If your cat does pee somewhere, you want to get those pet cleaner sprays because they break down the stinky enzymes that make cat pee smell so bad for so LONG.
5. As mentioned, some cats are cuddlier than others, but here’s a few general tips on cat behavior: a slow blink is how they show they trust you. A cat rolling onto its back is also showing trust that you WON’T touch its vulnerable belly (but some cats do actually learn to love tummy rubs; you kinda have to figure that one out on a cat-by-cat basis). They often like being petted on the area over the hindquarters near the base of the tail, but they also have a lot of nerves there and can get overstimulated, so if a cat goes from letting you pet it to trying to bite your hand, it is probably telling you that petting needs to stop NOW because its nerves are going CRAZY. This can also involve some trial and error; my former cat Clyde still sometimes knee-jerk reacts to being petted, but my sister says he has never done it to her, so we think she just pets less firmly than I do. Meanwhile, Shuri has NEVER reacted poorly to petting, and in fact would love nothing more than for me to spend an hour petting her so hard that she squishes into the mattress.
6. Don’t waste money on fancy cat toys unless you have some indication your cat likes that kind of toy. (This may be different if you raise them with the fancy toys from kittenhood; mine were both strays and are Very Suspicous of anything fancy I get them.) Laser pointers are an INSTANT FAVORITE and only cost a few dollars! And a dangly thing on a string can usually get them excited. Cats will often prefer a plain cardboard box over a fancy catbed, but they like pillows and piles of clothes and chairs and couches and people beds. And sometimes the round puzzle you put together on top of your hope chest, because Borders Are Safe Zones.
7. GET SCRATCHING POSTS OR THEY WILL MAKE THEIR OWN. (They will probably make their own anyway; my couch is regretably covered in claw marks. But the scratching posts at least help slow the deterioration.) Fun Fact: Cats don’t use scratching posts to “sharpen” their claws, but rather to rub off the outer layers on their claws. If you trim your cat’s claws yourself, you may notice how the claws kind of flake off when clipped. Be very careful not to cut into the quick (the blood vessel) when trimming! If your cat strongly opposes this process, the vet can do it for you for a small fee, but I generally just wrap mine up in a towel and make them suffer the indignity. It’s cheaper for me and less stressful for them than a long car trip and a visit to the strange vet’s office would be. (And they always forgive me pretty immediately after I release them. I cannot speak for cats that may hold grudges.)
I’m sure I haven’t covered even a tenth of the useful info, but I hope these are helpful and that you find just the right cat buddy in the future! 😄
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AITA for being "negative" about a bunny and refusing to apologize? I don't think I can really shorten this, so I'm sorry for the lack of a TL;DR :/ It's pretty long!! TW for animal death(and potentially animal abuse?)
My mom(42 F) has a habit of randomly bringing pets home. For context, she's a single mother with four kids, with me(17) being the oldest, alongside my sister("E",13) and my two brothers(7 and 4, not relevant to the story). My sister and I share a room and my brothers share one too. My mom works a job that involves sleeping at work and doesn't think it's worth it for us to rent a three bedroom, so she sleeps on the couch on her nights off.
The first time was mid-2020 when she brought home a feral kitten my grandpa found underneath his house. What was supposed to be a family pet quickly turned into a pet that was kept only to E's and my room. He had some sort of sinus issue where he snotted everywhere all the time, so snot was constantly needing to be cleaned and being found randomly on our things. The cat was eventually rehomed after a year because it scratched my sister really badly to the point that my mom was concerned she would need stitches(she didn't. the cat didn't like being pet / touched and my sister wouldn't respect its boundries).
The second time was another cat(2021) that followed my mom from her cat to her place of work. This was when I started getting frustrated with my mom randomly bringing home animals, since the same set up that happened last time happened again- except this time, the cat got old enough to spray, and my mom kept forgetting to get him fixed so our room just smelled fucking awful. This cat was also rehomed when I broke down after realizing it has sprayed all over my books. I told my mom he either needed to be fixed or she needed to get rid of him. He was gone the next week.
Then last year it happened again- except this time, with a puppy(2022). My aunt was looking to get a new dog and sent some puppy photos to my mom, which she cooed over and showed me. She told me she was considering bringing one home, which I instantly told her was a bad idea and went over all the cons. Mom seemed to agree. Then guess what happened to be an early Christmas gift.... -_-
My sister and I took charge on the dog. We got our brothers to agree on a name for him(anyone with younger siblings knows this is a BIG deal lmao), started attempting to crate train him(basically making sure he's okay with eventually being left alone without crying the whole time), and we were the only ones trying to potty train him. Our mom didn't stick to any of this(including choosing a new name??) and the dog still isn't potty trained, and I'm the only one other than my mom that doesn't refuse to clean up after him. The dog doesn't stay in our room like the other animals, but it took months for my sister and I to convince our mom to get a hook lock for our door so the dog wouldn't keep coming in and peeing. The dog didn't end up getting rehomed, but now regularly stays at our aunt's house way more than ours.
It's worth noting at this point that all of these pets were "family pets" according to mom, and she would get upset when me and E pointed out we were really the only one taking care of them. The dog evened out after a while and now it's mostly my mom and I doing the work when he's here, but the cats are still a point of tension for us.
And now. For the fucking bunny!! Jesus christ I'm sorry there's so much backstory to this!!
A week ago my sister comes into our room and wakes me up to tell me mom brought home a baby bunny. It was scary small(3.5 inches long not stretching, 2 weeks old), and wasn't moving much but was clearly alive. My mom said it ran into my Nana's yard after the dog next door scared it off, and it's pretty safe to assume the nest is destroyed. But instead of bringing the rabbit to a wildlife rehab or something, my mom brought it home and told my sister she could keep it. They then put it in a box with some grass and water and did no further research.
I was pretty livid, because 1. This is a WILD rabbit. That's a crime in my state, 2. I think it was insanely irresponsible for my mom to drop this on us, 3. This is not a pet and it's very likely it'll die in our care just from us not being experienced, and 4. On a very basic and selfish level, I didn't want to take care of this animal and I didn't want it in our room(which it had to be). But E has been asking for a bunny for years, so for once she wasn't on my side about a new pet being dropped on us. So I was pretty outnumbered.
I kept pushing for my mom to contact a professional at the very least to ask about its diet(it's very easy to kill baby bunnies by feeding them the wrong thing), and kept trying to get my sister to stop holding / petting it since rabbits can die of stress. My mom listened after a day and my sister never did. Tbh I also thought if my mom contacted a professional the pro would tell her to absolutely not keep the bunny? But it was never brought up in their convo, so I think my mom might have lied about it or something, idk.
I continued being "negetive" about the rabbit and my sister kicked me out of our room for it. I refused to care for it too, even though my mom kept insisting it was a "family" pet(without me it was just her and E taking care of it, and since it stayed in our room my brothers never really got to see it). To be honest I really didn't feel like I had a lot of options, and I thought if I didn't help then maybe they would get overwhelmed or something and decide to give it to a professional. But I still kept trying to give pet care advice, because I didn't want any harm to come to the bunny(for example, my sister likes our room to never have to ac on, but i made sure she was keeping it cool enough for the bunny).
Well... After four days, the bunny died. E was pretty heartbroken, obviously, and my mom was sad, but to be honest I'm just sort of bitter. I'm upset a rabbit died just because my mom wouldn't listen. For more context, I also thought bringing in the bunny was a bad idea because my sister recently lost her dad, and I knew if it didn't end well this would just add more grief to her life. I 100% don't think she's TA in this situation, even if she has frustrated me.
I'm still pretty pissed at my mom for all of this, so yesterday when she sat me down and told me I should apologize to E for how I behaved, I didn't take it well. She said my negetivity made it so E didn't fully enjoy her time with the bunny, and that if I had handled things differently maybe things would have tunred out better. I know E has been avoiding me, which started when we first got the bunny and she kicked me out of the room for being too negetive. I feel like she just needs time to process, and to be honest I don't think this is something I should apologize for, even if it is an apology just to make her feel better. It feels like that would be irresponsible of me? Idk. I told my mom none of this would have happened if SHE hadn't been so irresponsible and brought the bunny home to a grieving teenager, when there wasn't much of a chance of the bunny surviving with us in the first place, but tbh ever since her dad died I've been really trying to do right by E, so I second-guess myself a lot now.
So AITA for being negetive about the bunny and refusing to apologize? To be clear again I don't think E is TA here, but they're both upset with me so idk.
What are these acronyms?
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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So mama-cat October Daye and her eldest daughter Little Soot are both currently in heat, so that's fun. I'm having a tough time getting them in with the low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Can't happen soon enough! O_o Still, at least they're both inside cats now, and all my boys are neutered.
Since Soot is still semi-feral (though for the most part she's adjusted quite well to living inside and has really bonded with me in particular) and since Toby is such a stabilizing force for her, my family and I have come to the conclusion that rehoming either of them probably isn't going to be possible, so they're sticking around. And since Little Soot was always meant as a placeholder name because I was initially working under the assumption that she'd find a new home, I have changed her name to Marceline the Vampire Queen.
Also, I gotta tell ya, all three of us are more than half-tempted to keep Sir Cheeto the Cheez Doodl of the Marmalade Order, too. He's an absolute treasure of an orange idiot, and I love him so so much.
Anyway, have some more pictures!


Here's Marcy from a few days before we managed to get her inside. She was already letting me pet her at that point and had let me pick her up once without a problem (every other time she's been picked up Did Not Go Well, so I'm slowly building back up to it). She was still so timid and afraid to trust me, but it was clear that she badly wanted to. I started by leaving treats and toys out for her (her mother ate most of the treats, lol), slow-blinking at her when we'd make eye contact, spraying myself and the porch with feline calming spray every time I went outside, and very pointedly not approaching her. Once she realized I wasn't going to chase her, she calmed down considerably. Eventually, she got comfortable being within 6 feet of me, so I started using feather wands as well, which got her curious enough to get closer and closer, until one day I held out my hand and turned my head away (HTTYD-style), and she sniffed my fingers and rubbed her face against them. It wasn't long before she let me pet her, which she's come to really enjoy and is seeking out more and more frequently. She's even tried to get in my lap a couple of times, though she panicked at the last second each time and instead hid underneath the chair. Baby steps. <333


And here she is three days after moving into the guestroom (she and the kittens pretty much have the run of the house these days, and she has been very well-behaved and is responsible for almost none of the daily chaos and nonsense that goes on in this house).


Family photos!




Is there anything cuter than a kitten pile? <333 Damn, they had so much personality even back then.
I've got so many more recent photos of them, but before I can post 'em I have to resize/brighten them in PhotoPea and then I have to convert them from .psds to .pngs.
#cats cats cats#picspam#the httyd method works for cats too#i am overrun with kittens and i love it#aaaaa i just love my sweet babies so much!#*sobs* why can't they stay babies forever!#no joke if i were to win the lottery tomorrow i would keep them all#and i'd buy puzzle back from the girl i gave her to
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We had to rehome Artemis... I am so heartbroken but she and Lil started seriously fighting and we can't trim Arts claws and Lil got a bunch of slashes on her face recently and it just.... fucking hell.
All because an in tact tom cat came around and started spraying all over the neighbourhood and hanging out on our window sills.
Art got so territorial and things were declining in the house so we had to make a choice.
I am
So fucking sad.
I will miss my potato sack.
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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Cats aren’t always purrfect. They love to dig, scratch fence posts, and may even go to the bathroom in your precious flowerbeds. If you have a not-so-fabulous feline friend visiting your garden, here are a few ideas on how to keep cats out of your yard. I want to start this article off by saying I do have a cat. Originally a stray, Magic is a mischievous and handsome little fellow. Every time he hears me talking, he wants attention. He loves heights, jumping places he shouldn’t be, and he knows how to have a good time. While I love the guy, I will say that he does affect my garden. He likes to dig in my herb garden to sleep, and he’s the reason I rehomed all my lilies. Just a hint of the pollen could be bad for the little guy. However, he does so much good for me in the garden. Not only is he the world’s best rat killer, but he also patrols the property and helps to deter other cats. And most importantly, I love his company while I’m puttering away in the garden. His presence alone does wonders for my mental health, inside or outside! But I understand that they’re not always welcome, especially when they get up to no good in your flower beds. That being said, keep reading for tips to keep cats out of your yard naturally. The man, the myth, the legend…Magic! Why Cats Can Be a Nuisance I can certainly understand why you would want to know how to keep cats out of your yard. After all, it’s not all sun lounging and rat hunting. Cats tend to dig in garden beds. They don’t know the difference between a vegetable bed and an outdoor litter box. Male cats also like to mark their territory. It can be annoying to have a neighbour’s cat or stray periodically come in and spray your favourite plants. Stinky! Additionally, cats are natural hunters. They could even try to catch beautiful songbirds in the garden. They may even be a terror to chickens if you have some. Cats like to dig in garden beds and will even use them as a litterbox. How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard Cats are good climbers and jumpers, so it can be difficult to keep them out when they’re not wanted. Luckily, there are a few harmless and natural ways to keep stray cats out of your yard. Cover Soil First and foremost, cats love squishy and soft soil. Whether they’re trying to lounge or go to the bathroom, the goal is to make your garden beds someplace they wouldn’t want to hang out. Since cats don’t like any pokey surfaces, cover the soil with things to make it less appealing. The goal is to make it look like the opposite of a litterbox. Here are some ideas: Chicken wire: use metal or plastic chicken wire to cover your beds. Most plants can still grow through, but it stops the cats from digging. River rocks: larger rocks, uneven rocks are better, but pebbles should also help. Eggs shells: every time you crack an egg, sprinkle the egg shells in your garden beds. Sharp twigs: take cuttings from holly leaves, rose bushes, blackberries, barberry bushes, and more pokey plants and spread them across your garden. Thick mulch: a thick and pokey mulch also does the trick. Pinecones also work! Short twigs: you can also collect a bunch of smaller-sized twigs while pruning and lay them in bunches in your garden. The bees may enjoy them too! Bamboo skewers: stick bamboo skewers with the pointy side up throughout the garden. Space them close enough that it makes it difficult for a cat to lay down. Make the ground pokey and uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Water Unlike most dogs, most cats don’t like getting wet. Use water to your advantage! Cats hate having wet paws, so if a certain cat likes to patrol your yard at a specific time of day, try watering the lawn and garden then. You can also spray down any areas they like to mark. Oftentimes, cats will mark the same spots, so you can wash their scent away to keep them from returning. If a cat is in the yard and you catch them red-handed, you can grab a super soaker and spray next to the cat. It should scare them off completely. Another alternative, if you’re not at home or in the garden 24/7 like me, is to use motion-activated sprinklers. They will go off at the hint of movement and scare away the feline. Just be sure to pay attention to how often they go off and obey water shortages. Water often enough, and the cats will stay away. Fencing While cats have a thing for climbing things, you can make your fence less accessible to cats. For fences with fence posts, you can tie an additional wire or string across the top. Cats will hesitate to jump up and climb over it. You can also get spikey plastic fence caps. These prevent cats from walking across fences. They are uncomfortable for the cat but not harmful. Finally, grab a tub of Vaseline and spread it across the top of the fence. Cats won’t like the feeling of it under their paws and will hesitate to jump up again. Cats can reach all heights, so fences won’t keep them out. Cat Repellent Plants Just like other harmful pests, you can actually grow certain plants to keep cats out of your yard. Cats have powerful noses and don’t like the smell of some plants. Try planting these: Other scents that cats don’t enjoy include bone meal fertilizer, citrus, coffee grounds, and red wine vinegar. Try spreading your morning coffee grounds and citrus peels in the garden and see if it helps keep the cats at bay. Cats have sensitive noses, so you can use that to your advantage. Cat Repellent Spray Commercial cat repellent for yards tries to mimic the spray of predator urine. That certainly doesn’t sound appealing to me, and I’m never quite sure what ingredients are inside these sprays. I always opt to make something myself whenever I can. Natural cat repellent spray can work just as well! To make your own, mix together the following ingredients in a spray bottle: For full measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Let the mixture steep overnight. Spray the mixture wherever you want to keep cats away. You won’t need a ton! Respray once a week until the cats get the hint and don’t come back. Note, vinegar can be harmful to plants and can even be a weed killer. Be careful where you spray it. This spray is fairly stinky, so only spray outside the house and avoid spraying near open windows. Be careful where you spray your repellent, as it can affect nearby plants as well. Make Peace If all else fails, maybe it’s time to make peace with your new feline friend. Try chatting with your neighbour about their cat and see if they can help keep their cat out of your yard. If they have a tendency to bug birds in the garden, ask if they can wear a bell around their neck. You can also try to create a place in the garden just for the cat. This will attract them to the right spot in the garden and deter them from your precious vegetable and flower gardens. Plant catnip for the cat. You can also create a little sandbox for them next to the catnip to give them a place to hang out and go to the bathroom. With this method, you will likely have to clean up every once in a while. If all else fails, make peace with your new feline friend. FAQ About Keeping Cats Out What attracts cats to my yard? Cats go where their belly goes. If you have songbirds, rodents, or even scrumptious plants like catnip, they may wander into your yard. They may also be attracted to garbage or compost if there is something in there they feel like eating.They’re also attracted to soft dirt to use as a litter box. They also like the scent of other cats, so if you have one, they may come by to visit. How do I stop cats from pooping in my garden? You can use many of these tactics to keep cats from pooping in your garden. Ideally, make the soil inhospitable to them by filling it with plants so there’s nowhere for them to dig or cover it with spikey objects. I have a whole post dedicated to this for more tips. More Posts About Gardening with Pets Natural Cat Repellent Spray Spray this mixture throughout your garden and backyard to deter stray cats from hanging around. Mix together all ingredients and place in a spray bottle.Let the mixture sit overnight.Spray wherever stray cats visit your yard.Reapply once a week until the cats no longer return. A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants. Source link
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