Neighbours’ lily plant

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Please help. Our neighbours have recently got a big lily thing in a pot in their back garden. Our cat doesn’t roam, but she sees their garden and ours as both being “hers”, and I am really scared she goes near the lily. We’re on good terms with the neighbours, but just general chatting over the wall about the weather type stuff, taking in parcels for one another, not actually friends - would it be really off to explain how toxic lilies are, and politely ask if they might consider moving the lily to the front? (Cat never goes out the front.) Neighbours have two small dogs, but I don’t know if lilies are toxic for dogs too?

I know the right thing would be to keep the cat in, but she is used to being able to go in and out, particularly in nice weather - even in horrible weather she would rather burst than use the litter tray. She’s five and would be bewildered to suddenly not be allowed out. Keeping her in for 24 hours after a GA for a dental procedure earlier in the year was quite the battle.

moreslidingdoors I am 100% certain that my cat doesn’t toilet in my neighbours’ garden. They have two small dogs, and I imagine would be concerned about potential toxicity for them. It was a friendly exchange, and I didn’t even ask or mention them moving the plant, the man volunteered immediately.

I am really sorry you have problems with animals in your garden. If my neighbours spoke to me about my cat bothering them, I would do my best to come up with a solution. As it stands, our neighbours on both sides are fond of animals, pet the cat if she is in their garden, and it’s not an issue. She doesn’t roam beyond that so I am certain she is not troubling anyone, and tbh Monday to Friday she is in all day while we’re at work, plus kept in overnight.

I think Lillies should be removed from sale.
Or at the very least should come with warning labels that they are highly toxic to animals and insects.

Not only are they are deadly to cats but they are also deadly to pollinating insects like bees.

Horrible, horrible plants.

It only takes a small amount of lily pollen to fall on a cat, from the plant being knocked or wind perhaps and as soon as the cat licks it off the cat will die a very painful and traumatic death from organ failure.

Any cat owner stupid enough to keep the horrid things in the house or garden knowing they are toxic, I can only assume you don't like your cats very much and don't really care if they suffer a painful end.

Also, I'm fairly sure it's dog shit that causes blindness, not cat.

Though cat shit can carry toxoplasmosis which is dangerous for pregnant ladies.

But then all shit is going to be loaded with nasty viruses, bacteria, parasite eggs etc, humans included.

I am really sorry you have problems with animals in your garden. If my neighbours spoke to me about my cat bothering them, I would do my best to come up with a solution

We don’t have problems in the back garden because we’ve cat proofed it as far as possible without it looking like a prison. Any cat managing to get in would be hard pushed to avoid all the lilies right now, but I don’t really care. Not my responsibility to look out for other people’s pets. And I’d rather ensure the many wild birds and squirrels that live in our trees were looked out for than anyone else’s pet.

My husband is very very allergic to cats, hence the cat-proofing. Unfortunately there is no way to fence off the open plan front garden (prohibited) so that’s been a free for all for the cats. Have tried everything - water squatters, audible alarms, cayenne pepper and lemon peel, lion poo etc. Have recently repurposed a load of plastic forks, so any cat attempting to squat will get a shock. The other option was a web cam and deposits being returned through owners’ front doors.

If we had a dog, we wouldn’t expect for it to be free to crap anywhere it liked without someone picking it up. I would like the same courtesy from cat owners.

I did get rid of all my lillies after having them in tents for a while as Ernie eats anything thats grass like apart form the ruddy grass I bought for him

I think most cats will ignore stuff like this but with lillies the pollen is a problem, and I have seen Ernie come home with pollen on him.

That said I do think unless you are on very good terms with your neighbour there is nothing you can really do, and you can just hope for the best

MoreSlidingDoors Foolproof way of discouraging the cats is to ensure your beds are completely and densely planted, with no bare soil, and don't dig it over and leave it. If a cat can't squat comfortably he won't!

oldraver I mentioned it to my neighbour on Friday - there’s an update up thread - and the plant has now been moved.

Foolproof way of discouraging the cats is to ensure your beds are completely and densely planted, with no bare soil, and don't dig it over and leave it. If a cat can't squat comfortably he won't!

I don’t think my gardening style should really be dictated by other people’s pets. So wild meadow and plastic forks it is. Might add a host of lillies for next year though.

Nobody needs to make their garden safe for your cat. The brass neck of you!

headintheclouds no, of course they don’t. That was absolutely never even suggested. I feel like I posted this on AIBU by mistake!

Might add a host of lillies for next year though

Yes. Why not prove you are a really nasty piece of work?

I feel like I posted this on AIBU by mistake

For some reason, TLC has been overrun by people who not only don't have cats (there are a few of us here :)), but who don't like or even actively dislike cats. Try and ignore them.

Might add a host of lillies for next year though

Oh, do you not like insects either then?
Lilies aren't just poisonous to cats.
They are also toxic to pollinating insects