AIBU?
Cat poo and dog barking
3dogsandababy · 21/03/2021 16:38
We got new neighbours beginning of January, they have 2 dogs and 2 cats.
Since moving in the dogs bark almost constantly. We've got 2 dogs also so just assumed they were in a new area and they'd calm down, nearly 4 months later and it's worse than ever.
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse than constant barking they decided to let the cats out. We now have a flowerbed full of cat poo in the front garden and have started discovering it in the back garden too. Can't say for sure it's their cats in the back garden but I've seen their cats poo in the front garden.
I've got a toddler that would love to be out in the garden in summer but know that cat poo can be dangerous. I also want my dogs to be able to go out like they did before but don't want to annoy the neighbours without dogs when my dogs start answering their dogs. I also don't want the neighbours to think it's our dogs that bark so we've been keeping them in except to do their business (not a problem in winter and rain but they both want to spend more time in the garden now).
I don't want to confront my neighbour with both issues but as a family we're feeling pretty trapped in our house. We've been here a few years as our forever home and desperately don't want to leave but I can't see a way of being content here again until at least the cat poo stops.
Aibu to go round and ask them to keep the cats in? I'd also love to ask them to pick their cats poo up but I don't have the guts! How else can I stop them pooing in my gardens? As annoying as the barking is I'll take it as long as the cat poo stops.
I feel like I'm slowly losing my mind with it all 😩
Dogsanddrums · 21/03/2021 16:44
Can you put the anti-cat spike strips on top of all your fences/gates to stop the cats getting into your garden? Or one of the limoncella cat deterrent/noise things?
I don’t think it would be fair to ask the neighbours to keep their cats inside if they are used to being out, and I expect it’s very difficult to control where they poo. If you don’t want them in your garden (and other wildlife eg foxes which will also be free to poo wherever they please!) then your best bet might be to cat-proof the area.
HunterHearstHelmsley · 21/03/2021 16:55
Don't put spikes on your fence. Might be worth trying various cat deterrents though (lemon never worked with one of my cats because the little freak liked the smell) there are quite a few options that won't cause them harm.
I don't know anything about dogs so no advice there.
3dogsandababy · 21/03/2021 16:58
Thanks, I thought about the spikes and spray but heard mixed reviews about both - and we don't have a lot of disposable money to play around with. We can't get a noise deterrent as that wouldn't be fair on our dogs.
I probably am being unreasonable thinking they could keep them in all the time but dealing with their cat poo is winding me up! We've never had an issue with cat poo before and there's plenty of cats in the area so we know, and have seen, it's their cats.
3dogsandababy · 21/03/2021 17:08
We've been keeping our dogs in so the neighbours don't think it's our dogs barking. I agree that having them out there would probably keep the cats out of the back garden but I don't think it's fair on the neighbours to have 4 dogs barking all the time (ours were never barkers but they do answer these dogs back).
Dogsanddrums · 21/03/2021 17:34
Our dog reacted to barking from the dog next door for the first week or so after we moved in, but she now ignores it. We send her inside as soon as she barks and she learnt very quickly. Have to be strict though.. If it were me I would try training the dog barking out first so they can be the cat deterrent!
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.