Gravel to deter cats

[VaguelyIneffectual]

We live in a detatched house with a gate and fence at the side. The neighbours cats climb the gate, walk down the path at the side of the house and poo on the lawn then exit over the fence on the other side.

We want to do something gentle to stop this and I wondered if I put a load of gravel (or a mat like this www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TN9QR6D/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07TN9QR6D&pd_rd_w=sFbdH&content-id=amzn1.sym.7b0d8b34-54be-4fd2-9baf-2d658b11dc53&pf_rd_p=7b0d8b34-54be-4fd2-9baf-2d658b11dc53&pf_rd_r=0GTR7CK295YGJBQBGBY3&pd_rd_wg=coxXL&pd_rd_r=523d05d2-2715-407c-b4f7-f78551e413fe&s=outdoors&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM) down on the path by the side of the house they come in by they then wouldn't want to walk down the path and would find a different garden to use.

Gravel turns into a bit kitty litter tray...the cat mats work,.but only if they're everywhere the cat wants to poop.

Motion activated sprinklers can help...I've scared cats off with water pistols and after a few weeks they get the idea and don't come back...only works if you're at home a lot though

That isn't going to deter any self-respecting cat from coming in your garden, they'll just find another way.

It is funny though, because I've had cats for nearly 60 years (currently have four) and I have never once known any of them or any neighbouring cats poo on the lawn.

Cats dont really poo on lawns as a general rule

What is helpful I find is a square plant pot, low to the ground, low sides, that sort of looks like a cat litter tray, put nice earth or even gravel in it, with drainage, they stick to that because its 'theirs'.

Yes you have to clean it out, doggy bags I use.

Ooooooh. We have a hedgehog visitor. Do you think it is the hedgehog pooing on the lawn then.

[googles hedgehog poo]

Oh OK.

I think that I have a visiting hedgehog that poos on our lawn.

Anti cat gravel on my path is unlikely to help.

Hmmmm.

They will rub their little paws together at the sight of gravel. Pooing on the lawn and not attempting to cover it - could be arthritic cat that can't dig well anymore, lazy cat or most likely is very deliberate territory marking. Your lawn is literally disputed turf.

Hedgehog is a likely culprit tbh

My cat loves my gravel drive!

I can categorically confirm that cats do poo on lawns. I frequently have to remove it from our lawns before mowing (and we don't have a cat). They also scratch up the lawn in that area too.
OP gravel will not deter them. You need something sharp like slate chippings.