5 ways to stop neighbourhood pets coming into your garden
April is National Pet Month, an annual initiative by the National Office of Health Organisation (NOAH), which raises awareness of responsible pet ownership through educational campaigns and resources throughout the month.
Responsible ownership first and foremost means the proper care of the animal you've chosen to be a custodian of, but it also extends to respecting other people’s boundaries when it comes to your pet – whether that’s making sure a dog doesn’t excitedly jump on someone or being aware of your cat's outdoor adventures.
While proud pet owners may (rightfully) think the world of their furry friends, not everyone shares their enthusiasm. In fact, other people’s pets can be a serious problem for some, for example when free-roaming cats stray into nearby gardens, leave droppings on the well-maintained lawns, nibble on beloved plants or pick fights with other pets.
Some might welcome the occasional visit from neighbouring cats, but there are numerous reasons why a person might not want someone’s pet in their garden.
For those who find themselves despairing over unwanted visitors, there are ways to resolve the situation that is appropriate to both owners and pets...
1. Cover sandboxes
If you have (or at some point had) young children, you might have a sandbox in your garden. PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) vet nurse Gemma Renwick notes that sandboxes can look like a big litter tray to visiting cats and strongly recommends shielding it from the gaze of felines, by using either plastic sheeting or a cover.
While this doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get any unwanted visitors, you’re also not inadvertently inviting cats into your garden with open arms.
2. Use natural repellents
A good way of keeping pets out of your garden is to simply make the space unappealing to them.
Cats' paws are sensitive, and there are certain terrains they don’t enjoy walking on, such as mulches, small pebbles and twigs, Gemma explains.
Scattering these materials throughout the garden might be an effective way to keep cats out. A word of caution: some bark chippings contain cocoa shells, which can be dangerous for pets if ingested.
Josh Wiesenfeld, Founder of Boxiecat, recommends the use of scent-based repellents. Adding citrus peels and coffee grounds to the soil near entry points to the garden not only give your plants extra nutrients but also puts cats off. Lavender and vinegar-soaked cloths also work wonders.
3. Strategic planting
One solution might already be lurking in your garden. Certain plants can even help you protect your garden from neighbouring dogs and cats. Gemma’s tip: plant shrubs and bushes close together and use ground cover plants, which will make it difficult for cats and dogs to dig in and enter the garden.
4. Fence off your garden
Sometimes, the most obvious answer is the right one, so for those who find themselves frequently haunted by particularly pesky pets, a fence might be an suitable solution. Gemma says: “High, close-boarded fences next to the hedges in the garden make it difficult for cats to enter your garden.” Of course, the same goes for dogs.
5. Talk to your neighbours
And lastly, remember that communication can go a long way. If you find yourself frustrated with strange pets wandering onto your lawn, try and talk to their owners.
“When it comes to handling the issue of other pets getting into your garden, good neighbourly communication with the homeowner is key. Use open-ended dialogue without angrily approaching them, and focus on discussing what can be done,” says Eunice Arauz, owner of Pets Avenue.
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