My yard cat poops in my bushes! HELP!

dixiegirl · Jan 25, 2006

HI

I am new. I have a female yard cat I have had for 4 months, she's 7 months old and she wants to poop in the bushes near the house most of the time. I have seen her go other places in the yard, I have a large yard & there is plenty of sandy areas around the yard that my other yard cat, (female, 2 years old, have had for 7 months) goes. (older cat is spayed, younger one not)
Why does she keep wanting to go near the house? She is damaging my bushes. I have not had a cat before now, we live in the country for a couple of years now and have had a field mice problem, both cats do great with helping control that problem. Please Help! Thank you.

nebula11 · Jan 25, 2006

I am not too sure on how to get a cat away from bushes....etc......

However I have two questions......

1. Have you ever concidered making them indoor cats...?

2. Are you going to get the young one spayed/nuetered.....?

hissy · Jan 25, 2006

When they are outdoors, they do what they please. You have little to no control over them unless you capture them up, get them spayed or neutered and bring them into your home.

I understand that these are barn cats, so hopefully you live way out in the country, not near traffic have no animal abusing neighbors. But your intact female is in danger of becoming pregnant and could even become injured with breeding season comes around. I would strongly suggest that you take her in and get her spayed.

Also using them for "mousers" be aware that they will get tapeworms, fleas and be open to flea born illnesses and health issues. If they are actively hunting- keep them safely flea treated with stuff from your VET-worm every three-six months with pills you get from your vet after they have been seen by him at least a few times. Also they are at risk for roundworms if they eat other types of wild prey. It is always wise to take a fecal in every so often to be sure they aren't full of parasites.

dixiegirl · Jan 26, 2006

I appreciate your interest, you have given me alot of information. Thanks again. Learning as I go...

dixiegirl · Jan 26, 2006

She is a indoor/outdoor cat. I do plan on getting her spayed. I think she like the dirt around the bushes. I bought some cheap fencing and put around them, hopefully that will be a distraction. Thank you for you interest.

hissy · Jan 26, 2006

I have yet to see fencing that will keep a cat out

You can try setting up those large bird decoys in the bushes, or hang lightweight aluminun pie trays (the disposable type) in the bushes.

tnr1 · Jan 26, 2006

Originally Posted by DixieGirl

She is a indoor/outdoor cat. I do plan on getting her spayed. I think she like the dirt around the bushes. I bought some cheap fencing and put around them, hopefully that will be a distraction. Thank you for you interest.

DixieGirl...I would definately get her spayed as soon as possible. She is old enough to become pregnant now.

Katie

ldg · Jan 26, 2006

I just wanted to add to what Hissy said. The importance of purchasing flea and parasite fighting products from your vet is that over-the-counter products are simply not effective and can actually be seriously dangerous for your cats. The OTC flea products can kill your cats (NOT joking!), and the OTC deworming products simply flush internal parasites from cats - they do not kill the parasites, so the cats just get reinfested.

jen · Jan 26, 2006

I would keep that kitten inside only until you spay her. She can and will get pregnant and not just when she is in heat.

dixiegirl · Jan 27, 2006

Thanks Again To Everyone For Their Help. I Appreciate Any Advice Anyone Can Pass Along To Me. As I Said I Am Still Learning...

gailc · Jan 27, 2006

Just a note-cat's urine will do no permanent damage to shrubs. If you are worried you can always spray with water the plants involved. However the scent of the urine is quite powerful to other cats and they will continue to mark those spots. Some of my indoor/outdoor cats like the great outdoors as their litter box as well as the inside boxes. And my vet just mentioned that recommendations on de-worming cats have changed to 4 recommended worming treatments/yr. That includes all cats regardless if they hunt or not.

catsknowme · Feb 1, 2006

Have you tried putting a litter box out near the bushes? Sometimes the cats will find the box more convenient & it saves the garden.
BTW, hooray for you for giving these lucky girls a place to call home!

semiferal · Feb 1, 2006

I second the litterbox suggestion. It'll make cleanup easy.

And I also agree with those who recommended having her spayed ASAP and keeping her indoors in the interim. The days are getting longer and this is the time cats start to go into heat. She is old enough to get pregnant and will get pregnant very soon if given any opportunity, so make an appointment for her right away and you'll both be much happier!

dixiegirl · Feb 3, 2006

Originally Posted by semiferal

I second the litterbox suggestion. It'll make cleanup easy.

And I also agree with those who recommended having her spayed ASAP and keeping her indoors in the interim. The days are getting longer and this is the time cats start to go into heat. She is old enough to get pregnant and will get pregnant very soon if given any opportunity, so make an appointment for her right away and you'll both be much happier!

I AM GETTING HER SPAYED NEXT WEEK.

I AM TRYING THE LITTER BOX IDEA, ALSO. THANKS! I THINK WE ALL WILL BE HAPPIER.

missy&spikesmom · Feb 4, 2006

YAY for you, getting her spayed! I second the idea, of checking them frequently, for parasites, and worms.

You may, (if the litter box idea, doesn't work!) try putting those yard decorating, lava rocks, or pine nuggets under your bushes. The kitties often like a place where they can dig, and those two items make it harder to dig, and they look nice under the bushes too!

jennyr · Feb 5, 2006

I emptied bags of pebbles under all my bushes to stop the neighbour's cats soiling there. It seemed to work, until the foxes refused to be put off by the stones and just dug them under!

dixiegirl · Feb 8, 2006

Originally Posted by Missy&SpikesMom

YAY for you, getting her spayed! I second the idea, of checking them frequently, for parasites, and worms.

You may, (if the litter box idea, doesn't work!) try putting those yard decorating, lava rocks, or pine nuggets under your bushes. The kitties often like a place where they can dig, and those two items make it harder to dig, and they look nice under the bushes too!

She goes in the morning to get spayed. I am trying to get grass to grow back under the bushes & the pebbles is a good idea. We have a gravel driveway and she doesnot bother it. Thanks to all for your input!

dixiegirl · Feb 8, 2006

Thanks for the great idea. I have been trying to get grass to grow where she dug up so much dirt, and some is coming back, for over a week now she has not gone in the bushes, yeah! Taking it one day at a time. Thanks again.

dixiegirl · Feb 8, 2006

GREAT IDEA! Lucky we do not have foxes.

patc · Feb 8, 2006

If the cat is 7 months old, she is either pregnant now, has a litter already, or will get pregnant tomorrow and then you're going to have a real problem.

The first priority is getting her spayed right now.

My yard cat poops in my bushes! HELP!

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