Cats are territorial creatures, and a garden can quickly become their personal lavatory as they dig in soft soil, spray urine to mark their scent, and leave droppings in the open to signal other felines. Fortunately, a few simple, humane and low-cost deterrents can put a stop to it.
Why cats choose your garden
Soft, dry soil makes an appealing digging spot for a cat. Being naturally territorial, they may also use urine to claim the space as their own. Leaving droppings uncovered is another way they broadcast ownership to rival cats.
Cats also value privacy when they toilet, which is why dense shrubbery is particularly attractive to them.
Humane deterrents that work
One easy method is to push twigs into the soil around the areas cats frequent, creating a barrier they find hard to navigate. Crushed eggshells, pebbles or bark chippings can be just as effective.
According to Cats Protection, cats dislike walking on these kinds of textures and are more likely to give your garden a wide berth. Keeping the soil moist can also help, as cats tend to avoid damp ground, as long as your plants can tolerate the extra water.
Making cats feel unwelcome
It also helps to break the cat's habit of seeing your garden as a safe toilet spot. Cats Protection says cats are naturally shy animals, and if they do not feel safe, they will stop coming. There is no need to frighten or harm them — a gentle shoo whenever you see them should be enough to encourage them to find somewhere else.
