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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Best cat repellant for the garden?

53 replies

cupcakessl · 28/06/2025 13:02

I have some time of work and I am tidying up the back garden.

The neighbours cats will come and play in our garden so I want to cat proof the garden for my toddlers so they don’t stand or pick up any cat poo.

I have looked on Amazon and have found mixed reviews.

Any suggestions welcome please xx

OP posts:
Yeahofcourse · 28/06/2025 14:34

A dog

PenCreed · 28/06/2025 14:35

I’ve tried the lion poo fertiliser and electronic cat scarers. I think a dog is my best option!

DandelionSmoke · 28/06/2025 14:38

The high pitched things. I got one in Lidl that works well.

NancyBellaDonna · 28/06/2025 14:42

Water pistol. Aniseed.

UpMyself · 28/06/2025 14:44

A cat of your own.

Messycoo · 28/06/2025 14:48

NancyBellaDonna · 28/06/2025 14:42

Water pistol. Aniseed.

Yep spray water bottle. Doesn’t hurt them, but will deter if you can give a good squirt at them and they should run off.
of course you need to be consistent until the get the message

I have cats and this is what i advise my neighbours to do, if they become a pest !

WonderingWanda · 28/06/2025 14:50

Well my cat dislikes dogs, hoovers and hairdryers so any one of those would work.

NoNameMum · 28/06/2025 14:50

Yeahofcourse · 28/06/2025 14:34

A dog

I’ve got a dog and that’s solved the problem in my back garden. The dog doesn’t go in the front though as it’s not fenced in and I’ve got cat sh*t in all my flower beds out front 🤦‍♀️

NoNameMum · 28/06/2025 14:52

my friend who is a gardener swears by male urine. She gets her husband to pee in a bottle. My husband isn’t up for that!

eone · 28/06/2025 14:54

I spray the fence with vinegar or lavender oil and it keeps them away. They get used to the high pitched things Confused

user101101 · 28/06/2025 14:57

coffee grinds seems to work

ExpressCheckout · 28/06/2025 15:06

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this antisocial problem. Unfortunately most cat owners simply don't care! It's horrid though, especially with little ones.

I've spent £100s of pounds over the years. Sadly nothing worked.

My neighbours then bought a new cat (old one died) and so from day one - trying a bit of cat psychology - I invited the new one into my kitchen/garden.

This seems to have worked. The cat now seems to think it's "her" garden, and so doesn't defecate in it, and it also seems to have deterred other cats.

Unfortunately domestic cats still kill a lot of local birds and wildlife, I really do wish people would consider others, and the ecology, before buying them.

Optimustime · 28/06/2025 15:08

Coffee grounds are the easiest option if you drink coffee.

Discombobble · 28/06/2025 15:16

Yeahofcourse · 28/06/2025 14:34

A dog

This

polarsystem · 28/06/2025 15:18

Oranges and crushed garlic, works a treat.

StripyHorse · 28/06/2025 15:22

DandelionSmoke · 28/06/2025 14:38

The high pitched things. I got one in Lidl that works well.

These are often heard by young children, so may not be ideal with a toddler.

LindorDoubleChoc · 28/06/2025 15:31

YABU

yestothat · 28/06/2025 15:37

Cats are pretty tidy with their poo, will go somewhere private in the corner and fully bury it, are they even going in your garden?

i personally think it’s nice for your toddler to see the cat play and get to interact with it. It’s unlikely they will stand on or pick up cat poo but if you really don’t like it then I guess a water pistol

Woahtherehoney · 28/06/2025 15:39

ExpressCheckout · 28/06/2025 15:06

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this antisocial problem. Unfortunately most cat owners simply don't care! It's horrid though, especially with little ones.

I've spent £100s of pounds over the years. Sadly nothing worked.

My neighbours then bought a new cat (old one died) and so from day one - trying a bit of cat psychology - I invited the new one into my kitchen/garden.

This seems to have worked. The cat now seems to think it's "her" garden, and so doesn't defecate in it, and it also seems to have deterred other cats.

Unfortunately domestic cats still kill a lot of local birds and wildlife, I really do wish people would consider others, and the ecology, before buying them.

I am curious as to what you actually want cat owners to do?

Flossflower · 28/06/2025 15:40

DandelionSmoke · 28/06/2025 14:38

The high pitched things. I got one in Lidl that works well.

These worked very well for a relation of mine but unfortunately when they have young children over, they can also hear the noise and it upsets them.

OP this is a question most of us would like to know the answer to. This year I have planted lilies with the hope that that will deter them. I have used a super soaker but you have to catch them

Woahtherehoney · 28/06/2025 15:41

Flossflower · 28/06/2025 15:40

These worked very well for a relation of mine but unfortunately when they have young children over, they can also hear the noise and it upsets them.

OP this is a question most of us would like to know the answer to. This year I have planted lilies with the hope that that will deter them. I have used a super soaker but you have to catch them

Edited

This won’t deter cats but may kill them!

Notupmyalley · 28/06/2025 15:41

Nothing.

See also: foxes

Flossflower · 28/06/2025 15:42

Woahtherehoney · 28/06/2025 15:39

I am curious as to what you actually want cat owners to do?

keep it in, at least over night or get a catio.

Flossflower · 28/06/2025 15:44

Woahtherehoney · 28/06/2025 15:41

This won’t deter cats but may kill them!

No, they are a bit too sensible. I have had a few lilies in my garden for years and no dead cats.

Woahtherehoney · 28/06/2025 15:45

Flossflower · 28/06/2025 15:44

No, they are a bit too sensible. I have had a few lilies in my garden for years and no dead cats.

Sadly I know of many cats who have been made very ill or died from being poisoned by lilies.