How do you keep cats out of your flower bed. They are fouling the area and killing the birds. The owners, of course, are irresponsible as usual. ''' Not my cat''!,

Had same condition from a neighbors cat-even our dogs do not go into our flower beds and garden...SOOOOO : just sprinkle some red hot pepper powder (dollar tree works well here)around your beds-cats will stay away-or at least they should !!

I've had good luck keeping unwanted small animals away by simply throwing rocks at them. My aim is terrible and I have little velocity, so no danger to the critters. For awhile a little sheltie was confused about where 'his' territory ended and mine began so I just kept small caches of rocks here and there to lob at him. Cats may be more difficult as they are pretty nocturnal and also don't respond well to being called home. Maybe gift the owners with a catnip plant...which may encourage them to stick around home?

If your beds are smallish, you could lay down chicken wire in early spring to discourage toileting, although that seems like a lot of trouble to me.

I never mind visiting cats myself, they are good for mouse patrol. I live in a rural area, and have at least 3-4 regulars. Most are skittish barn cats, one is a bit of nuisance as he lays directly in my path looking for (and often getting) a belly rub.

We are very fortunate to have a 'Neighborhood Cat' .. everyone knows ThomasP. -- we all take care of him .. next door neighbor provides shelter .. several of us provide meals / snacks / water always is available.

ThomasP. has been seen walking down the street with some folks on a daily walk; he goes to the end of the road, then comes back.

He keeps pests [ mice - voles ] from our area; checks gardens daily, yet disturbs nothing - he steps over and around plants.

Only one person, that I know of, didn't like him - but she didn't like any pets .. even dogs walked on a leash.

ThomasP. is part of our neighborhood and is treated like a 'neighbor' .. he just has 4 feet.
P.S. ThomasP. will watch birds - that's it. He hasn't bothered one.


A neighbor of ThomasP.,
Peggy

I have most of my pretty plants in pots on my deck and my 3 cats as well as my chickens like to lay in them and dust bathe/nap...ugh! So I started putting things in them, just on top of the dirt such as a toy garden rake, or a toy dinosaur! It seems to keep them out of my plant pots... not sure if this is helpful for you, but might be worth a try!