Cat poo and dog barking

[3dogsandababy]

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 😩

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.

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.

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.

Do your dogs not keep the cats out of your garden? Cats don't dare enter ours at all, I presume they sense my dogs.

Can you not just let your dogs out? Surely they would be a better cat deterrent than anything else
Put pebbles round your plants at the front maybe

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).

Some of the noise deterrents work on specific frequencies so shouldn’t upset the dogs, unless they are very small breeds?

But maybe the 2 sets of dogs will get used to each other if you let yours out too.

I've got a Labrador and a chihuahua.

Maybe you're right, I was just going for the quiet life 😩

Water pistol

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!

We are training them not to react, it's just difficult when next doors are constantly barking and not getting it trained out of them! They don't go in the front garden though so still need a deterrent for there.

Amazon sell motion activated water sprinklers as cat deterrents. Might be worth a try. :)

Cat poo and barking dogs on one thread.... 🍿

Thanks for the suggestion. That seems more feasible than leaning out the front window all day in wait! I'll look into it 😊

Be aware that the noise deterrents may annoy your toddler - children can hear sounds we can't!