gina
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Post by gina on Jul 15, 2014 14:46:12 GMT
Hey all, I'm sure it's far more common for people to complain that their garden is getting messed up. But I'm on the other side of that! I "acquired" a cat last year, when my son returned back home, moving out from his girlfriend, but bringing back their adopted cat with them - Hamish. He came from Cats Protection Scotland, is 9 years old and has epilepsy, requiring medication twice daily. Now I took him with open arms, he's an adorable boy and really no hassle at all. He had for many years been an indoor cat and was used to living in a flat. But as I have a garden, then I found he likes to sit out in the sun, especially in the summer. At night he wanders a little bit, but not far from the house at all. I have really enjoyed the summer so far, seeing how happy he is enjoying the sun, even rolling about on the path!  But this morning my neighbour dropped by, he told me that Hamish has been using his garden as a toilet. I honestly did wonder where he'd been doing it lately as I haven't seen a soiled litter tray very often and checked our own garden, but nothing. I'm really really upset about this. It means I have no way of controlling it other than keeping him in. He too is very upset and is crying to go outside. For saying he's quite old, not in great health and finally found somewhere to call home, it's a sad story and I really hope there is some way I can fix this. On googling, I found a lot of complaints from people about cats messing in their gardens, and talk of may deterrents. But many of them seem not to last. But this will only work, if I offer to buy and install these deterrents into my neighbours garden. That is subject to their approval of course, which they may well not approve of. I could invest in very high fencing but that would have to surround their entire garden - costly. And besides, he would probably just go to another neighbours garden. The only other thing I can think of, is to try retrain Hamish to go in his litter tray? But I have no clue if that's possible, given his age. I feel so sad for him now that the doors have to be closed. Does anyone have an suggestions on how I could perhaps find a work around for this problem? Many thanks! Gina |
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Post by tonib on Jul 15, 2014 16:13:25 GMT
Welcome to the forum gina. Sorry to hear your neighbour isn't happy about Hamish's new toilet. Without restricting Hamish's access to the outside world in some form or other I don't think you're going to completely solve this behaviour unless you can agree with the neighbour to regularly clear up Hamish's mess, or the neighbour is tolerant. You could try to encourage Hamish to use your garden by providing an area that is to his liking - loose soil, secluded etc. but even so he, like other cats could wander else where but maybe not as frequently. As you stated you could enclose your garden so that Hamish has access to it but not elsewhere. A cat run in your garden might help as it would give Hamish some outside access but he couldn't wander. You could keep him indoors & see if he will take to a harness & if so you could take him for walks or let him use your garden on his harness & lead - obviously this would be only with you there. Hopefully others may have some better suggestions. |
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gina
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Posts: 7
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Post by gina on Jul 15, 2014 18:39:50 GMT
Thanks tonub, really appreciate your reply. I could offer to pop round and clean up his mess, but that's subject to them approving of that, which they probably wouldn't, to be fair. They have grandchildren around a lot playing in the garden too. It's a big ask. However, I hadn't thought of a cat run. That could be a possibility! Completely restricting of course, but at least he can still go out and soak up the sun. The only other option I can think of is trying to re-train him to go in his litter. I wouldn't know if that's possible with a cat of his age. Again, any ideas would be appreciated. Many thanks!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 18:41:02 GMT
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gina
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Post by gina on Jul 15, 2014 19:11:11 GMT
Hey gillykat, Thanks again, really appreciated! Yes I agree with what you're saying, my neighbour has a strip of garden, alongside his path, that's just soil only. Maybe I could offer to plant flowers there for him!  I don't have any soil patches in my own garden, so I should try that too. I have been looking at cat runs, and honestly, it looks like buying higher fencing would be the cheaper option. Still pretty expensive though. And of course, until I can get that fixed in, poor Hamish can't go out. I'm dreading tonight, he loves going for a wander around at nights and will cry at me constantly  My neighbours fence is high, at least 6ft and it's fully enclosed, with a locked gate. So it's not like I could let him out and keep an eye on him, because if he did jump the fence and mess in his garden again, I couldn't just "sneak" in to clean it either I will keep checking in here to see what others might say. Thanks again! |
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Post by spider on Jul 15, 2014 20:16:11 GMT
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gina
Newbie
Posts: 7
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Post by gina on Jul 15, 2014 22:02:40 GMT
Thanks Spider for that link. It returned me to the idea of just getting a fence. Then on looking around further, this would be so costly as I would have to replace all 3 perimeter fences When I took Hamish on, as much as I love him, I just don't have that kind of money available to keep him enclosed in the garden. I wish I did. I did find another option, which is just £180: postimg.org/image/ighp5491l/ neither ideal or perfect, but will have to do for now. Also, if he does mess in his litter tray, then I guess I can let him out that day/evening at least. Hopefully he then will not mess in the neighbours garden! Thanks again everyone. I'm still open to options, but believe cost-wise at least, they are very limited. |
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Post by migsy on Jul 15, 2014 23:05:48 GMT
What a shame a shadow seems to be looming with neighbour over a cat gina,it's a bit silly,yet no on really wants to upset a neighbour.We have various cats coming through our garden to catch birds,but I wouldn't dream of complaining to their owners,it's a cats nature to do that,though I hate to find a dead bird.
It never crossed my mind about cats toileting in loose soil until gillycat mentioned it,I don't have loose soil either,so don't have that problem,but I always wear gardening gloves anyway.
I did find however that local cats used a large heather for toileting in,a friend had the same problem too,hers was huge and right outside her window,it took most of an afternoon digging mine up,and I have avoided heathers ever since. A neighbour also had an awful problem with a gravelled garden as cats loved toileting in that too,so it was really pongy.
The ideas of trying to create your cats own area sounds good,but cats are well known for toileting away from their own property,and are experts at climbing fences,which are very expensive,even if you erect your own.
You can only offer to do so much to placate your neighbour,I certainly wouldn't make the cat unhappy by keeping it indoors now it has tasted freedom,just mention to your neighbour that bare soil is an attraction to cats and leave it at that.
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gina
Newbie
Posts: 7
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Post by gina on Jul 16, 2014 9:46:21 GMT
Hey migsy and thanks for the reply! I am still really upset because as much as I agree with you, that I should probably drop a hint about the bare soil and probably offer to clean it up, I also feel it would be unreasonable of me to allow it to continue Life is hard enough, without hassle and hate from neighbours. To be honest, I was completely shocked that Hamish had chosen their garden, as he hasn't been an outside cat for years. But I guess the temptation was too much for him! As hard as I'm finding it to keep him in, the past 24 hours... I want to see him mess in his litter tray first, before I dare let him out. I will also order this cat kennel/run that I've bought and just wait for that. So that's my plan. If he messes in his litter tray, he can go out that day at least. Do you think it's possible Hamish will realise, as I keep telling him that he must mess in his tray before he can go out. I'm familiar with dogs, but this is my first cat. I guess they don't understand human talk? but I'm not sure! Appreciate all the comments and advice |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2014 10:53:04 GMT
...my neighbour has a strip of garden, alongside his path, that's just soil only. What's attractive about that? Silly man!!! My neighbour downstairs is the same - has a raised bed outside but just leaves it bare because she says it's too dry to grow anything  I offered to put flowers in but she just twisted her face  I'm tempted to sneak round the back and stick stuff in before she gets up in the morning  She keeps saying how lovely it is to see my flowers in their containers which are outside her kitchen window yet when I look out of my living room window I have to look at HER bare soil!!!! |
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Post by tonib on Jul 16, 2014 11:33:47 GMT
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gina
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Posts: 7
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Post by gina on Jul 16, 2014 12:17:52 GMT
...my neighbour has a strip of garden, alongside his path, that's just soil only. What's attractive about that? Silly man!!! My neighbour downstairs is the same - has a raised bed outside but just leaves it bare because she says it's too dry to grow anything I offered to put flowers in but she just twisted her face I'm tempted to sneak round the back and stick stuff in before she gets up in the morning Well now, that could be a possible fix! If I snuck round somehow and planted flowers... I could be the anonymous flower planter! It would stop the problem and would be the cheapest fix. If only... They would probably be angry with me. I don't know them that well, but I could tell from our conversation yesterday, the guy at least, isn't the most amiable of people. I understand and respect it's a problem for him, but he doesn't care that Hamish now has to be kept in. It's not his problem and that's the end of it as far as he's concerned. Myself on the other hand, being an animal lover, I would probably offer some "leave it with me" and try to think of a work around that meant my neighbours cat didn't have to be confined indoors. I couldn't live with the fact that my bare patch of soil was the cause of it. But hey, that's just me Again Tonib, thanks so much for that link. Some awesome and inexpensive ideas there, I particularly liked the look of the Kitty Klips! One of my boys said last night, maybe just cut his nails down low, but of course he doesn't realise, you can't cut them that low, he will still have claws to climb with. I have the cat kennel/run on order now. So just have to hold on a few days. The only thing I can think of is... when he does finally mess in his litter tray, is to give him big praise and allow him outside as a reward. Maybe after a week or so, Hamish might realise? But I don't know how cats work to be honest. This is a short-term fix of course. For the long term, it has to be new fencing, which will be extremely expensive for me. This house is relatively new to me and I haven't even allocated budgets for outside yet, I'm still working on the inside of the house. I will let you all know how this works out. But in the meantime if anyone has tips on training a cat to mess in his tray, that would be great Thanks again! |
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Post by tonib on Jul 16, 2014 13:52:51 GMT
I hope everything works out for you, Hamish & your neighbour, gina. Don't forget to put entertaining things in the pen. I'm sure some members with cat runs can advise on this. Let us know how you & Hamish get on  |
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gina
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Posts: 7
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Post by gina on Jul 16, 2014 15:17:34 GMT
Thanks alot tonib, I will do. Hamish hasn't complained about going out so far today, because it's raining. He's definitely a fair-weather cat Oh quick edit.. Hamish doesn't do entertaining, never has but I will put some things in there for him, thanks for the reminder! When my son's girlfriend first got him, she spent a fortune on toys and climbing frame, bed etc.. and he never even looked at any of it! He's the least bit interested in playing and doesn't even like cuddles. Saying that, my youngest (he's 11) occasionally "kidnaps" him and takes him upstairs onto the bed for a massage and he doesn't object at all. Lasts for about half hour until he comes back down. The only thing I have ever seen him play with, is lego! I guess when he wants to have a slap at something and it's there on the floor, but that's it. We all jump for job when we see him having fun. That's why I feel so bad he can't go out much now, simply because it appears to be the only pleasure he has in his life. Otherwise he just sleeps, or sits staring at a blank wall. Strange cat I'm no vet, but just in my opinion, as I have seen what he's been through... I think the fits he had prior to diagnosis and proper medication control, have fried his brain a little. He's a super boy though, honestly is no hassle at all. He allows me to stick a tablet down this throat twice daily, which I don't think many cats would, so really no complaints! |
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The only things I can think of are to either enclose the garden fence so he cannot get out into other properties or build him his own sand/loose compost area where he can toilet....perhaps put some catnip plants close by to attract him to that area etc 
I'm tempted to sneak round the back and stick stuff in before she gets up in the morning 
She keeps saying how lovely it is to see my flowers in their containers which are outside her kitchen window yet when I look out of my living room window I have to look at HER bare soil!!!! 