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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Neighbours/cat/poo…

23 replies

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 26/03/2022 16:48

Help! I’ve recently moved into a small terraced house. I’ve got a cat (can you see where this is going?) - I’ve had her for about 5 years, she’s approximately 7, she’s a rescue.

My next door neighbour has complained that since we’ve moved in she’s found cat poo in her garden. The back is basically a yard, but she has raised flower beds and she’s finding that her decorative rocks are being dug up and poo’ed near.

My cat does have a litter tray, but I accept she could well be doing it - although there is also another cat that hangs around.

What can I do? I don’t want to fall out with the lady next door. She’s very proud of her garden and quite rightly cross about it.

So far I’ve offered to clean it up (she’s refused) and suggested she sprays my cat with water if she sees her in the garden. I’ve currently agreed to keep the cat in the house, but the cat is miserable so really I’d like to find a solution to let her outside.

I’m thinking my choices are probably fencing or some sort of cat house?? Has anyone tried these successfully? Any recommendations? The fence between our gardens is relatively low, it already has spikes on it but that doesn’t deter my cat. I’ve suggested looking into something else but she wasn’t keen…I think she just wants my cat to stay indoors…

Any ideas? Please?!

OP posts:

gunnersgold · 26/03/2022 17:12

Pay for her to get a cat proof fence to stop it going in her garden ? You can't keep it in if it's used to going out . If she doesn't want that then she will have to continue to spray it with water .

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 26/03/2022 17:39

Her idea is to see if keeping my cat in means there’s no cat poo so we can establish if my cat is the culprit… I imagine my cat must be as neighbour says she’s never had a problem before.

So yeah, a cat proof fence might be the way forward. Not sure whether it’s my fence or hers. She has trellis and plants growing up it so not sure she will be happy having it replaced.

OP posts:

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 26/03/2022 20:40

Can you cat proof your own garden so the cat can play there safely?

AwkwardPaws27 · 26/03/2022 20:56

Catio?

99pronouns · 26/03/2022 22:06

Cats be cats.
If it's not your cat pooing in her garden it will be another (unless there's only you and your neighbour and no other houses within 2 miles?)
And then there's foxes and birds etc.
If you want to cat-fenced your garden to keep the peace then do, but your neighbour is dreaming that will solve the problem - another cat will be along soon.

The only solution is for them to get their own cat!

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 27/03/2022 08:47

Yes, I think I need to try and find a way to cat proof my garden - not a catio if possible as it’s just a really small yard and I also have a dog and a child who need to share it!

Has anyone used the cat proofing things you can buy successfully?

OP posts:

Uttoxerley · 27/03/2022 08:51

“ Cats be cats.
If it's not your cat pooing in her garden it will be another (unless there's only you and your neighbour and no other houses within 2 miles?)
And then there's foxes and birds etc.
If you want to cat-fenced your garden to keep the peace then do, but your neighbour is dreaming that will solve the problem - another cat will be along soon.

The only solution is for them to get their own”

Sorry but this is a really selfish attitude. Why should she put up with it? Finding bucketfuls of cat shit in your garden is nasty, especially if you’re a keen gardener and have kids as we do. OP should do all she can to help, after all she chose to buy a cat. The neighbour didn’t.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2022 09:23

@99pronouns

Cats be cats. If it's not your cat pooing in her garden it will be another (unless there's only you and your neighbour and no other houses within 2 miles?) And then there's foxes and birds etc. If you want to cat-fenced your garden to keep the peace then do, but your neighbour is dreaming that will solve the problem - another cat will be along soon.

The only solution is for them to get their own cat!

It really frustrates me when cat owners have this attitude.

Yes, the cat is just "being a cat" and not doing anything wrong, but the neighbour didn't sign up to have a load of cat poo in her garden and around her flowerbeds.

Even if you let your cat outside you should still be responsible for where it poos (like OP is doing). Litter trays, catios, cat-proof fencing or even an outdoor area in your own garden are all good options.

I know MN is really big on letting cats out to roam but that doesn't mean you can't do everything possible to mitigate the impact it has on other people.

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 27/03/2022 09:40

I really am trying to do my best - I don’t want to upset my neighbour. My problem is I don’t know where to start - there seem to be lots of products available but I don’t know anyone who has used them who can recommend!

OP posts:

tulips27 · 27/03/2022 09:44

There are motion-activated spray attachments that will deter the cat without harming it, you have to attach it to a hosepipe I think. You could offer to buy one for her. Check the reviews as some leak, metal fittings are better. Or there are roller attachments that can be attached to the top of a fence to stop a cat from climbing over, that's probably more expensive though.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2022 09:58

@NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun

You're being so considerate OP - honestly, nobody is getting at you here!

I don't have experience of cat-proofing as mine are indoor cats but I know quite a few people on here have done their own gardens so it may be worth starting another thread about it.

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 27/03/2022 10:16

Actually those roller attachments might be a good solution. I’ll look into that, thanks.

OP posts:

gunnersgold · 27/03/2022 12:46

Cat fences stop the car from getting out of your garden . They aren't cheap though

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 27/03/2022 13:27

No - it will be worth it if it allows my cat some outside access without annoying the neighbours though! Cat is so grumpy today that she’s just slapped the dog I’m wondering how DIY I could be with it; I think one issue is part of the boundary is very old rickety fencing. I’ve been trying to work out if I covered that in reed screening whether it would be too flimsy for the cat to jump over…

OP posts:

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2022 14:01

You want something that angles inwards so the cat can't climb over it. I don't think reeds would stop them, sadly!

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 27/03/2022 14:21

I was hoping that if the were high enough she wouldn’t be able to jump and pull herself up and over, especially if they’re wobbly - but you’re probably right. I’m totally obsessing over this

OP posts:

sophienelisse · 27/03/2022 18:29

My next door neighbour has put up chicken wire all around his garden as he keeps pigeons. No cats can get in.

I have cats but luckily mine are far to lazy to try for birds or anything really.

My dog on the other hand will chase them if they land and has brought in a sparrow before.

One of my cats is a house cat by choice he doesn't go outside even if the door is open.

The other cat does go out and used to sunbathe on his pigeon shed with the pigeons landing by him and he is just not interested at all. He doesn't even look at them and they used to get uncomfortably close to him.

My neighbour put up the chicken wire on our fence because there is a big grey cat who prowls about. He is a fucker.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2022 19:32

@NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun

I was hoping that if the were high enough she wouldn’t be able to jump and pull herself up and over, especially if they’re wobbly - but you’re probably right. I’m totally obsessing over this

Cats are designed to climb so I would worry that she would climb them, panic and perhaps fall on the "wrong" side and panic and then not be able to get back home, iyswim.

I would definitely look at something that bends inwards just for everyone's peace of mind, really.

Jessthemess38 · 27/03/2022 19:38

There is no legal obligation to do anything. Cats have the right to roam and it's unfair to keep a cat who is used to going outdoors inside just to placate a neighbour. There are lots of harmless and cheap things she could do to deter the cat such as orange peel in the flower beds or other natural deterrents.

It's nice that you want to keep things friendly but is she bothered about being friendly with you? Doesn't sound like it. It could be any cat or any other random wildlife. Why should you fork out lots of money and upset your cat just to stay on the right side of a complaining neighbour?

I totally sympathise and can see why it's annoying for her but the fact is we have to share the planet with all manner of creatures. Many things in life annoy and inconvenience me but I'm not entitled enough to think that I can stop every single one of them by moaning about it.

Hawkins001 · 27/03/2022 20:29

@NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun

Help! I’ve recently moved into a small terraced house. I’ve got a cat (can you see where this is going?) - I’ve had her for about 5 years, she’s approximately 7, she’s a rescue.

My cat does have a litter tray, but I accept she could well be doing it - although there is also another cat that hangs around.

What can I do? I don’t want to fall out with the lady next door. She’s very proud of her garden and quite rightly cross about it.

Any ideas? Please?!

Basically the design would be like a bird enclosure but big enough to walk in and for the cats.

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 28/03/2022 15:19

I would love to be brave enough to be like this! I have anxiety - I’m having therapy for it - and this whole thing has made me really anxious and upset. More so than I need to be, but that’s part of the problem. And hence why I have been obsessively googling to to come up with a plan

OP posts:

Original poster

NannyPlumIsLotsOfFun · 28/03/2022 15:19

Sorry that was to @Jessthemess38

OP posts:

Hawkins001 · 28/03/2022 22:37

The other aspects are if you keped your cat away, how will she prevent the other animals ?

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