The neighbor’s cat keeps using my yard as a VIP bathroom. How can I prevent this?

I recently moved into a new home with my husband and my 17-month-old daughter.

I encounter several of them every day cat poop on my lawn, driveway and in my flower beds. It has gotten to the point where there are too many to clean up every day.

My immediate neighbor seems to have a lot of catsbut I also know other close neighbors have them too, so it’s hard to blame.

I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t have a young child. I live in the countryside and my garden is a decent size, so sprinkle anti-cat scents don’t work. Can I do anything?

Jane Denton of This is Money answers: After looking at the photographic evidence you sent me, my first thought was: is this cat sick or in need of an alternative diet?

However, that’s a dilemma for another day.

The number of domestic cats in Britain is estimated to be around 12.5 million, so while your question may provoke some smothered chuckles, I think you’ll be far from the only one facing this problem.

Cats naturally like to roam and can be very territorial. This may help explain why a cat or cats keep returning to your yard.

You’re not sure where the cat or cats in question live, which makes everything more difficult.

However, if you haven’t done this yet, it’s worth talking to your immediate neighbor, who has a lot of cats, to explain the problem. They may even have some tips for you, or it may prompt them to think more carefully about their litter arrangements.

I spoke to two cat behavior specialists to get their opinions.

Nicky Trevorrow, behavior manager at Cats Protection, says: Cats are free-ranging animals, so it is not unusual for the neighbor’s cat to come into your yard.

While this is not usually a problem, it can be frustrating if they choose to use the toilet on your property, especially if you have a young family.

It’s interesting that you mention some of the poop showing up on your lawn and driveway.

This is usually not natural cat behavior unless they are particularly territorial or fighting with neighboring cats.

They prefer privacy to an open space, and usually choose an area where they can dig and cover their mess.

I wonder if some of these deposits might have been left by other animals, especially if you live in a rural area. These could be foxes, and perhaps setting up a wildlife camera can help you check this out.

You also mention the flower beds, and if you determine that this is caused by cats, you can turn your attention to these areas.

Strong scents such as citrus fruit – lemon, lime and orange peels – can potentially work well, as can sprinkling cinnamon on the ground.

In larger areas you can choose something more voluminous, such as chicken manure, which will also be a real boost for your plants. You can buy large bags quite cheaply at garden centers, so this is definitely worth it.

Cats prefer to choose areas with bare ground for toilets, so if you have empty beds it’s worth covering them with dense planting, natural obstacles such as twigs or decorative planters.

Or you can plant something like lavender, which has several advantages: cats don’t like the smell, it grows quite quickly and is bushy so can quickly fill a gap, it looks beautiful and is affordable. Other plants that cats hate are lemon balm, rosemary and shrub roses.

Another idea – and perhaps better suited to cat owners themselves – is to create a special ‘poo area’.

A patch of bare earth, with some compost and child-safe sand, will encourage them to go to the toilet closer to home and prevent them from causing a nuisance to your neighbours.

If you can identify your cat’s culprit, it may be worth talking to your neighbor and asking if they can do this.

Keep in mind that cats like privacy and secluded areas, so they will be less tempted to visit your garden if they are regularly disturbed. If you see one in the garden, walk towards it clapping your hands loudly – chances are it will decline and eventually stop visiting.

As a last resort, you can spray water nearby, as cats do not like to get wet. Do not spray them directly, but a syringe nearby is enough to make them disappear.

Finally, as you mentioned, if you have a young child, make sure you keep the sandboxes tightly covered when not in use as they are a tempting invitation to cats.

Alex Worth, a cat behaviorist from London, says: Cats are territorial by nature and their behavior is closely linked to their instincts.

When a neighborhood cat chooses your garden as a toilet spot, it is not random: it is their way of communicating.

By defecating there, the cat marks its territory and leaves scent signals from glands in its paws and anal area to let other cats know, “This is my space.”

Understanding why cats roam and choose certain places can help you understand their behavior.

It often comes down to a combination of factors: finding food, following their hunting instincts or simply looking for a comfortable place to do their business.

Gardens with soft, loose soil are especially inviting because they feel like the desert sand where their wild ancestors roamed. When your flower beds are freshly tilled, they are basically a cat’s dream litter box.

To humanely keep cats out of your yard, a few thoughtful strategies can make a big difference.

Physical barriers usually work well. Motion-activated sprinklers can surprise cats without scaring them too much, cross-placed branches or even upside-down carpet runners with the pointed side up can make the space less inviting.

Covering bare spots with river rocks, pine cones or sticks is another option; they make the ground uncomfortable to walk on and dig up, but safe for the cats.

Scents can also help. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so they can naturally keep certain odors away.

Try planting lavender and rosemary or putting out fresh orange or lemon peels, organic citrus-scented sprays or even vinegar.

Enzyme sprays, such as Nature’s Miracle, can erase the odors cats leave behind, breaking the cycle of return visits.

You can also use motion-activated lights or cameras to find out where the cats are most active and focus your efforts there.

Don’t forget practical steps such as securing rubbish bins and removing food that could attract them.

If you know the cat’s owner, a friendly conversation can also help. They may want to set up a special bathroom area for their cat, such as a sandy area in their yard, and train the cat to use it or rethink their current litter box setup. Maybe there aren’t enough boxes or it’s not all cleaned daily.

Positive reinforcement, such as rewarding the cat for using the designated area, can work wonders while improving your relationship with your neighbors.