Cats crapping in my garden,including my own!

[conkerpods]

So,our lawn doesn't grow brilliantly and its muddy round the edges. All the neighbouring cats and even our own bloody cat are pooing there. My own cat will also happily crap in the flower bed whilst looking right at me!
Are there any deterrents that actually work?Water pistols no good as we are not in all the time and it would be a full time job!
Have seen mixed reviews about lion poo.
Help!

[cozietoesie]

Do you have litter trays for your own cats?

[AnthonyBlanche]

Er where do you think your own cats should be pooing? I hope not in someone else's garden.

[NerrSnerr]

Where do you expect your cats to poo? If you don't want them pooing in your garden they need to be going in a litter tray.

[Vinorosso74]

Is it definitely cats on the lawn as cats usually prefer to dig? Could be foxes either.
We have a corner in our garden our cat likes to use and we try to keep that soil looser for her and she only goes in that area (well I think so anyway). If you have a cat you need to expect them to go in your garden.
For interlopers a squirt with a water pistol-we used that technique to get rid of a big bully tomcat too.

[conkerpods]

It's not foxes as we can see all the cats doing it,and it's definitely cat poo. They half heartedly cover it up but now there's piles of the stuff.
No we don't have a litter tray as the cat has a cat flap to come and go as he pleases. Even if we did get a litter tray all the other cats will still go in our garden,doesn't solve the problem does it

[IrenetheQuaint]

Stick upturned twigs in the relevant areas. Not failsafe but better than anything else I've tried.

[cozietoesie]

Then your cat is possibly looking 'right at' you for praise because they're using the right place. It won't be defiance - why should it be?

I'd acquire trays directly because then - if your own cat(s) learn to use them - you can concentrate the better on outside issues.

[cozietoesie]

PS - and if their are 'piles' all over the beds, get rid of them directly and fork over the soil. You don't need to be the local toilet, smell-wise at least.

[cozietoesie]

*there

[FrikkaDilla]

I'm delighted to read that your cats are pooing in your garden.

Proof if needed that some people should not own cats if they have to ask questions like this.

[conkerpods]

I don't mind my own cat crapping in the garden but it has become a toilet for loads of other cats,like they're attracted to it or something.
I take it some posters on this thread would be totally fine with it then,even when their kids come in having trodden in it?
Thanks to those of you that have given helpful advice.

[conkerpods]

Frikkadilla Do you think I shouldn't be a cat owner then?

[cozietoesie]

Poo seems to attract poo. It's as if one cat depositing gives the green light to others to do the same.

I'd start by getting a tray or two and clearing/forking over the earth beds. Then you can address the issue with a clear mind.

[RubbishMantra]

Those devices for sifting out stones from the soil can be used for poo-sifting., like the things they used for panning for gold.

My cats gaze happily at me whilst doing the do in poo corner. Then once they've killed all the plants including my beautiful honeysuckle they systematically move onto the next lot of plants to exterminate.

[cozietoesie]

I'm a trowel person. The thought of a soft poo getting all over a garden sieve rather puts me off their use.

[cosmicglittergirl]

If it's the grass, try keeping it short. I get loads of cats shitting on my lawn. I used to stick cut up straws into the soil around delicate plants to deter them pooing there.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Mine has a tray & still poos outside. He's hardly going to come back to poo when he can dig in someone's garden.

[dodobookends]

Get rid of all the turds first, then chuck down some deterrent. Save all your orange & other citrus peel, chop it up and scatter over the flower beds. Also, get a tube of garlic puree, and mix one tablespoon per watering can, and water all the plants and the earth with it. The plants take up the garlic smell, and that and the smell of citrus peel will deter them.

Might be kind if you leave a small area free for your cat to use though.

[cozietoesie]

The Lodger moved in with us - from the street - and then decided he'd prefer to use a tray. It can happen.

[conkerpods]

Some great tips there,thanks.
I chucked down some orange peel today. Will get some garlic.