[Yorky]

In an open plan garden is there any non-chemical way of preventing dogs/cats urinating/defecating on plants? I've recently replaced a lavendar and perriwinkle and the new ones seems to be destined to the same fate.

Thanks in advance.

[GPI]

Have a look at these topics.....
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about199.html
and
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=813

[inishindie]

Hi
If you can catch the dog at it in the garden chase it off (the neighbours will think this is highly entertaining!) And spray it with water. It wont come back for a while.

Here are more things you can do if you value your dignity.

Some people love cats. Others, like an old friend of mine, would rather put them on a one way, 200-mile train journey and never see them again! But whatever your feelings about felines, chances are you probably don't want them digging up your garden. So, what do you do?

With the exception of a few plants, catnip being the main one, cats really aren't out to destroy your beloved perennials or garden vegetables. What they really like is the soil. Most cats think the outdoors is their litter box, and a patch of dirt is an invitation to come do their business. It also makes a great place to play or roll.

If you have cats yourself and find that they are bothering the neighbours, you could try to keep them in your own boundaries to keep neighbourly relations on a friendly footing. One way to keep your own cats from roaming into the neighbour's garden is to make your space attractive to them. In an out of the way corner of the garden, plant a patch of catnip, the aphrodisiac of cats. Spread some sand for sleeping nearby. Or, if your feline companions prefer to keep you company in the garden, leave a cat-sized play area in one part of the garden. Make sure you plant or mulch the rest of the garden so your cats have no other place to roll and will stay in their designated area.

If you don't want your neighbour's cats in your garden, you will need to take more drastic measures. Try spraying the intruder with a blast from the hose or a washing up liquid bottle. Most cats will turn and run although some actually enjoy water, especially on a hot day. For these, you must try other tactics, like planting rue. The blue foliage makes this an attractive garden accent, but cats can't stand the odour and will make a wide berth around the planting. Thorny roses also deter cats. There are many other herbs that cats don’t like to be around, including lavender, geranium, absinthe, and lemon-thyme


HOMEMADE REMEDIES

Some gardeners use homemade remedies. Although I can't personally confirm the success of these methods, it won't hurt to try them.

Sprinkle your plants with crushed pepper. Cayenne is also said to work though you will need to reapply it after every rain. Or try ground-up grapefruit and lemon rinds. Or make a tea of rue, hot pepper liquid, or lemon juice to spray on plants.

Commercial products like predator urine and cat (and dog) repellents also are available at many garden centres, I have mixed reports of these and some people claim that they actually attract the cats. Try to get rid of unwanted cat visitors with devices that use sound and light to scare them away. These can be expensive though.

Another possibility is to lay down mats, which have soft upward facing points. It won't hurt you--or the cats--to walk on these, but most cats don't like to step on them.

If you have bird feeders near your garden, move them to a new location or hang them higher than a cat can jump. Otherwise, cats may continue to visit your garden in hopes of catching birds.



JUST SAY NO

Finally, remember that cats are not daft. They can be taught. Sometimes a stern "no" is all it takes to teach a cat to stay out of the garden.

Here are some other ideas that will keep you (or the cat) out of therapy for a while. Try putting a length of hose pipe and in the flower bed. The cat stays away because it thinks the pipe is a snake. There is a plant on the market called Coleus canin, which is said to repulse cats from your patch. Cats don’t like tea leaves either; so empty your used ones onto the garden soil. Cat owners are similar to dog owners in the respect that they have to consider others when they let their animals out of the house. If you are responsible about your pet, it will not only live longer, but you will also be on better terms with your neighbours!


cheers

Ian

[JennyS]

I've a feeling I read or saw an advert for some sort of radio-frequensy device that emits a signal (out of human hearing range) that deters dogs and cats.....anyone know more details about this?

[Gardensgalore]

I don't know about the ultrasonic device, but there is a very effective system which I have seen in operation to contain dogs. It requires a simple wire to be strung around the area in which the dogs are allowed. The dog has a special collar which gives it a MILD electric shock if it attempts to pass too close to the wire. The dog doesn't seem too alarmed at the shock and after a while you can forget using it; once the dog has learnt, it is no longer necessary.
I can't remember the manufacturer, but can find out if anyone is interested.
Richard

[Tessa]

I was having an awful problem with deer eating my daylilies right down to the ground, and a neighbor's dog lifting his leg on the ones the deer missed in their early morning munch.

I found some stuff at the feed store made of rotten eggs and garlic that repels all manner of intruders, but has nothing in it to do them harm. Is just really obnoxiously smelly to them. That did the trick for the deer and the dog both. it comes in a spray bottle and lasts about 2 months. It's not recommended for veggies, but might be the solution to the problem. I suspect it would also work if you sprayed it around the base of the plants and on the ground/mulch areas where their little noses would be searching out the perfect spot to do their naughtiness.