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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2542.0. "Cats in the Flowers" by WR2FOR::MURRAY_LY () Mon Jun 05 1989 22:16

    
    I desperately need help with a problem I have never been able
    to resolve with my two cats (and I suspect, the neighbor cats as
    well).  I have a lovely flower garden in the front of our house
    filled with pansies, marigolds, petunias, and you guessed it, cat
    poop!  This is so frustrating because the only reason the cats even
    come out to the front yard is to use the garden as a litter box!
    I suspected part of the problem was that the soil in the garden
    was nice and loose as compared to the rest of the yard, but my efforts
    to put piles of loose soil elsewhere haven't changed their habits...
    Incidentally, they almost never do this while we are home to see
    them.  When they do of course, we tell them no, and they scatter
    quickly.  So... I really need a solution that will work when we
    aren't at home.  If any of you have any suggestions, I'll gladly
    take them.
    
    Thanks very much in advance,
    
    Lynn
    (Mom to Molly and Iago)
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2542.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Mon Jun 05 1989 22:374
    I wonder if you could plant some plants that repel
    cats in amoungst the flowers that you have in the front?  I think
    I've heard of such plants, but I don't remember any names. 
    
2542.2Don't plant catnip :-)VAXWRK::SKALTSISDebMon Jun 05 1989 23:045
    You could get a pile of pinecones and sort of use them as mulch. It
    will be uncomfortable for the cats to walk on them and maybe they wont
    use your flower garden for a box any more.
    
    Deb
2542.3mothballsCRUISE::NDCTue Jun 06 1989 11:506
    I don't know about pine cones, but Mao uses a pile of pine needles
    when she does her business outside.  I know cats hate moth-balls.
    I wonder if you could wrap them in something, say Tin foil, and
    poke holes in it to let the smell out.  it would look pretty wierd
    but it might discourage them.
      Nancy DC
2542.4YOSMTE::CORDESBRO_JOTue Jun 06 1989 17:076
    Have you tried the products like "Repel"?  You sprinkle these in
    your garden and they are supposed to repel dogs and cats, yours
    or your neighbors.  I have never used them, but I may have to soon,
    a neighborhood cat has been pooping in my garden too.
    
    Jo
2542.5pepper or mulchPARITY::DENISEAnd may the traffic be with youTue Jun 06 1989 19:5513
     What has worked really well for me not only for cats, which used to
    poop in my garden too, but for skunks, dogs, etc.  is powdered red, hot
    pepper.  Animals, including cats have to sniff the area first, and
    when they do, well - they won't forget it!  The pepper won't hurt them,
    it will just improve their memory suddenly. It also isn't noticable
    on the ground. It has always worked so good for all kinds of varmints
    as well. They don't forget either!
    
    I would think bark mulch would help too. The bark wouldn't be the most
    desirable pooping texture, and would also conserve moisture for the
    plants and in most applications looks nice and neat.  No weeds either!
    
                               Denise
2542.6WR2FOR::HARPHAM_LYTue Jun 06 1989 21:5513
    
    Thanks to everyone who has replied to this note so far.  I haven't
    tried REPEL, but I'd rather try some more natural types of remedies
    first.  Another VAXNoter directed me to a note on this subject
    in the GARDEN notes, which I've found,  and there are some interesting
    suggestions  -including the red pepper suggested in .5, coffee-grounds,
    lemons, and other non-aromatic-to-cats things.  I'll probably give
    it a few weeks, but will write back to this conference to let you
    all know if I've had any luck!  (Iago's going to be P.O.'d!)
    
    Thanks again,
    Lynn
    
2542.7New NameWR2FOR::HARPHAM_LYTue Jun 06 1989 21:587
    
    Sorry, I should have noted in .6 that I have changed my name since
    my original note, thus you will notice the different user-id at
    the top of my note  --but I AM the same person (I think...)
    
    Lynn
    
2542.8HPSTEK::BOURGAULTWed Jun 07 1989 14:138
    
    Wood bark mulch don't work.  I have a flower bed in my yard that
    has wood bark mulch and it has become my two cats favorite place
    to dig.  I'm going to try the red pepper idea.  I'm tired of my
    Snowball deciding my pansies make a nice mattress.
    
    Faith