Someone else's cat "decorating" my front porch

Yes, I appear to have a cat who thinks my front steps are a litter box. This hits me as really weird, because my cats have never been out on the porch, and hey, there's no nice soft dirt to dig in on my stairs! I mean, I'm no great housekeeper, but sheesh!

Anyway, any ideas on how to keep kitty from starting a personal manure pile? Or any idea what might have triggered it?

You mean a stray cat is using the stairs? I don't know what could have caused it. I do remember reading in my mom's "old fashioned remedies" book that a good way to keep animals out of a garden is to sprinkle cayenne pepper or spray vinegar around the perimeter (or on the porch). Maybe this will work for the cat too? Keep your own kitties away from it though. After the cat gets a nose full of pepper he wouldn't want to come back - I know I wouldn't.

I don't have a lot of experience solving problems - just passing along what I remember reading. Best of luck!

Yep, that's exactly what I mean

Hmm... hadn't thought about the pepper method. Better not walk on the stairs barefoot! (though at the moment I wouldn't want to anyway... ewww!)

Really hope it works. Just remember to re-apply after any rain, or mornings with heavy dew.

Thought about it a little more and maybe the reason he's doing it is: He is still walking around with his Kahunas (not neutered) and that is his way of saying


"This? This is Mine! This porch is mine! These steps are mine! NOT YOURS! MINE!"

If your worried about cayenne being a bit too strong and irritating his nasal passages, try just regular black pepper from your kitchen table. The book also mentioned this is a good way to keep ants away since it's not sweet.