If you’re tired of finding unwanted feline visitors in your garden, you’re not alone. Many homeowners struggle to keep local cats away from their property, where they may hunt, dig, toilet, and terrorise other animals. The matter can be especially delicate when dealing with neighbours' pets, as it can cause tensions between households. So, whether you’re looking for ways to stop cats from pooping in the garden or simply want to deter them from your outdoor space, this guide will explore the most effective methods. We’ll cover:
Why do cats enter gardens?
Before finding the best way to keep cats out of your garden, it's important to understand why they come in the first place. Cats are naturally curious and territorial creatures, and they may visit your garden to:
- Use it as a litter box (which is a common frustration for homeowners)
- Hunt for birds, insects, or rodents
- Explore new territory
- Sunbathe and rest in quiet spots
With this in mind, preventing their visits requires making your garden less appealing to them. You can’t stop a cat from roaming, but you can take steps to ensure they roam elsewhere.
How to stop cats from pooping in your garden
One of the biggest complaints homeowners have is cats using their garden as a toilet. So, how can you stop cats pooping in your garden? There are several effective methods to consider.
Avoid using cat-friendly surfaces in your gardenscape. Certain materials like sand and gravel mimic the feel of a litter box, encouraging cats to use them for toileting. If you want to stop cats from pooping in your garden, stay clear of using them and opt for an alternative that's less appealing.
Cats also like digging in soft, loose soil, making flower beds a common target, so you may need to consider limiting the amount of loose soil in your garden as well. Instead, opt for mulch made from pine cones or bark, as these are less comfortable for cats to use, or smooth, decorative stones and pebbles that cannot easily be displaced. Laying a sturdy chicken wire flat across soil beds before planting can make digging difficult, encouraging cats to find another garden to poop in.
Another way to stop cats from pooping in your garden is to prevent them from entering it in the first place. Cats are agile creatures, but with the right barriers in place, you can make it less appealing for them to enter. Installing mesh with a 25mm x 25mm hole size around flower beds or along the perimeter can act as a deterrent, while wire fences with outward-angled tops can make it harder for cats to climb over.
To keep cats away from your garden, scent-based deterrents can be useful, but it’s important to use safe options that won’t harm the cat. They are somebody’s pet, after all! Some homeowners might be tempted to use bleach to stop cats pooping in the garden due to its strong odour, but it’s not safe for animals and can be harmful to the environment too. Instead, consider these safer alternatives:
- Citrus peels – Cats famously dislike the smell of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.
- Lavender, rosemary, and lemon balm – These plants naturally repel cats.
- Coffee grounds – Used coffee grounds can deter cats while enriching the soil.
Finally, cats are skittish animals, and sudden movements or noises can help keep them away. For example, some motion-activated garden features could be effective at keeping cats out of your garden. Try sprinklers that spray water when movement is detected, or ultrasonic devices that emit a high-frequency sound that is unpleasant for cats but inaudible to humans. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly solution, reflective objects like CDs, mirrors, or foil strips can create flashes of light that might deter cats.
How to cat-proof your garden
If you’re serious about preventing cats from entering your garden, creating a cat-proof setup is key. Here’s how:
Fencing
Regular fencing may not be enough to deny cats entry to your outdoor spaces, as cats are excellent climbers. Instead, consider using angled fence toppers. These lean outward, making it difficult for cats to climb over. You should also close gaps and other points of entry to your garden with mesh for extra security, as they can easily squeeze through surprisingly narrow openings. The recommended mesh for cats is a welded wire mesh with a 25mm x 25mm hole size and at least a 1.6mm thick wire (16 gauge).
Keeping a tidy garden
Cats are drawn to hidden, sheltered areas where they can rest. To make your garden less appealing to cats, be sure to trim your bushes and hedges to reduce the number of potential napping spots. Remove any debris or stacked wood that could serve as a hideaway and store them indoors or in a secure container, such as a shed or crate.
Spot-treating high-traffic areas
Some areas are more prone to cat activity than others, such as flowerbeds, vegetable patches, and other areas with loose soil or sand. Cover soil beds with chicken wire or mesh to prevent digging — cats dig for fun, but this will also discourage toileting as they like to bury their poop afterwards. Use raised garden beds to make access more difficult, and apply safety-tested deterrent sprays on problem areas.
How to stop neighbours' cats from coming into your garden
If you’re wondering if there are any legal steps you can take to keep your neighbours' cats out of your garden, in the UK, there are no laws that prevent cats from entering your outdoor space. In fact, unlike dogs and livestock, cats have a ‘right to roam’ (Cats Protection). However, it can be frustrating when someone else’s pet causes issues in your outdoor space by digging, toileting, and other behaviours.
It might be worth having a polite conversation with your neighbour about the issue, offering suggestions like keeping their cat indoors or in a purpose built catio, or providing a designated litter area in their garden to tempt their cat away from your property.
If you have a chicken coop, keep pigeons, or have regular wildlife visitors to your garden, it might be worth explaining to your neighbours the dangers their cat can pose to these animals in case they are unaware. It’s possible you might be able to work together to come up with a solution that everyone’s happy with. If that fails, use the tips above and a combination of fencing, scents, and deterrent devices to discourage unwanted visits safely and humanely.
By making your outdoor space less appealing and using safe, humane deterrents, you can enjoy a cat-free garden without harming any animals. Whether you’re looking for solutions to stop cats pooping in your garden or want to cat-proof your entire space, these strategies will help you achieve long-term success. Struggling with foxes, squirrels, and other pests? Our guides can help you address these unwanted visitors safely and effectively.
If you’ve been wondering how to stop cats from coming into your garden, a combination of fencing, scent deterrents, and landscaping changes can make a significant difference. Mesh and wire fencing are among the most effective solutions, providing a physical barrier that stops cats from accessing your garden. Here at Mesh Direct, we can help you find the perfect wire mesh solution for your garden including cat fencing. For expert advice tailored to your needs, why not get in touch?
