In our backyard, we don’t have to worry about it because our backyard is fenced, and the dogs keep a tight perimeter. However, out front I’ve recently been spooking cats hiding in the bushes beneath our bird feeders.
I hate putting my dog on a long lead(she gets tangled), but I’m thinking that putting her on a lead out front occasionally could help train the cats to avoid the area. Otherwise, I’m considering trapping them and dropping them off at animal control. Id rather not do this because our city’s animal control is overwhelmed with stray cats and dogs, and I don’t want to add to their workload.
So if anyone has an effective way they like to deter or harass cats and it’s ethical, please let me know!
Thanks.
The obvious answer is to move all the bird feeders to the back. If you’re attracting them to an area with predators then you’re better just not feeding them.
You can also use window feeders or similar to move the feeders up high, but I’d say the first option makes the most sense.
Indeed. Birds are capable of flight [citation needed] so for them taking a trip to the back yard to visit the feeder is super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Adorable edge case: Kiwi / Apterygiformes
Additional to moving and/or securing the food source, there are a bunch of very pleasant odours cats hate that are harmless and plant-based. Lavender, citrus, mints, etc. Too strong for cat noses.
PDF warning but a decent guide to deterring cats originally made by Sacremento Feral Resources
https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/General-Services/Animal-Care/Feral-Cat-Deterrents.pdf