ᐅ Cat droppings or wildlife scat? Warning: image of animal droppings!
Created on: 10 Jul 2018 13:03
A
andimann
Hello everyone,
(Hope I don’t get banned right away for posting a bunch of crap…)
Some animal is leaving a pile of droppings on our lawn almost every night, strangely always in almost the same spot (plus or minus 2 m (6.5 ft)). At first, I suspected the neighbor’s cat, but the pile seems too large for a cat, right? Also, don’t cats usually go into garden beds rather than right in the middle of the lawn?
Question: Can anyone tell me if this could still be cat droppings? If so, I guess a conversation with the neighbors is due.
I’m getting tired of cleaning it up every morning, and even more worried that my kids might step in it while playing or that my son might try to taste it. My nephew once caught worms that way, which was quite unpleasant. That really shouldn’t happen.
And if it’s something else: what could it be and, above all, how do I get rid of it?
Barbed wire, spring-loaded traps, anti-aircraft guns, nuclear bomb?
Best regards,
Andreas
(Hope I don’t get banned right away for posting a bunch of crap…)
Some animal is leaving a pile of droppings on our lawn almost every night, strangely always in almost the same spot (plus or minus 2 m (6.5 ft)). At first, I suspected the neighbor’s cat, but the pile seems too large for a cat, right? Also, don’t cats usually go into garden beds rather than right in the middle of the lawn?
Question: Can anyone tell me if this could still be cat droppings? If so, I guess a conversation with the neighbors is due.
I’m getting tired of cleaning it up every morning, and even more worried that my kids might step in it while playing or that my son might try to taste it. My nephew once caught worms that way, which was quite unpleasant. That really shouldn’t happen.
And if it’s something else: what could it be and, above all, how do I get rid of it?
Barbed wire, spring-loaded traps, anti-aircraft guns, nuclear bomb?
Best regards,
Andreas
I wouldn’t rule out the cat either. But it’s rather unusual for them to just go on the lawn like that. Both of my cats need soil to dig in or a dense shrub to do their business.
Are you sure it’s not a dog? Our dog also used to find it perfect to go to the neighbor’s yard to leave his mess. Low fences are often jumped over, or holes in the hedge are used. We didn’t notice it for a while, until the neighbor eventually informed us.
Are you sure it’s not a dog? Our dog also used to find it perfect to go to the neighbor’s yard to leave his mess. Low fences are often jumped over, or holes in the hedge are used. We didn’t notice it for a while, until the neighbor eventually informed us.
Cats would be unusual, as they usually like to scratch around. A sandbox would be more likely.
Whatever it is, you might be able to scare off the culprit with water. Otherwise, tough luck. Talking to the neighbor won’t help either—what can they do? Wrap up their cats?
Animal droppings are somehow part of it. They are hard to avoid.
Whatever it is, you might be able to scare off the culprit with water. Otherwise, tough luck. Talking to the neighbor won’t help either—what can they do? Wrap up their cats?
Animal droppings are somehow part of it. They are hard to avoid.
That could very well be a pile of cat droppings. The shape fits, as does the size. You’d be surprised what they can expel. The gray color suggests poor-quality canned food or, because it’s so large, almost dry food.
Not every cat cares about having a tidy spot to dig in. It could also be a case of marking. Some male cats seem to find this more meaningful.
The solution in the case of a cat is actually quite simple. Since they like to leave it in a very visible spot, you can use the element of surprise. Either watch for the cat yourself and throw something very loud near it when the animal is there. Often, you don’t have to repeat this. Or use a water spray. Very important: the cat must not notice you! Otherwise, it will strongly associate the unpleasant situation with you and will simply wait until you are gone. The surprise moment must happen exactly when the cat is about to leave. It doesn’t necessarily have to hate walking through your yard but specifically the act of defecating there.
Alternatively, you can try changing the location. Just try covering the spot overnight with painter’s plastic sheeting. That might be enough to deter it.
Not every cat cares about having a tidy spot to dig in. It could also be a case of marking. Some male cats seem to find this more meaningful.
The solution in the case of a cat is actually quite simple. Since they like to leave it in a very visible spot, you can use the element of surprise. Either watch for the cat yourself and throw something very loud near it when the animal is there. Often, you don’t have to repeat this. Or use a water spray. Very important: the cat must not notice you! Otherwise, it will strongly associate the unpleasant situation with you and will simply wait until you are gone. The surprise moment must happen exactly when the cat is about to leave. It doesn’t necessarily have to hate walking through your yard but specifically the act of defecating there.
Alternatively, you can try changing the location. Just try covering the spot overnight with painter’s plastic sheeting. That might be enough to deter it.