Prepare Your Garden for a Cat

Preparing your garden for a cat can be tricky task, but this article can help. Preparing your garden for a cat is extremely important, it can protect them from being poisoned by your plants or garden chemicals and attacked by other cats in the neighbourhood. It can also protect your garden from your cat. Start with Step 1 to find out what to do to prepare your garden.

Steps

 * 1) Plant a tree in a shady area. This will act as a scratching post for the cat so they won't scratch the grass and pull it out. Make sure the tree isn't too soft so the cat won't destroy it. Growing catnip around the tree will help getting them to scratch the tree. If you can't plant a tree or are worried about your pet damaging a tree, a small children's climbing frame or large cat centre adapted for use outdoors can work as well.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Protect your garden bed. Place some bark around the edges of your garden bed. Cats generally don't like to jump up on to prickly surfaces.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Keep an outdoor water dish. Ensure that you clean this often as debris can get into it. Mosquitoes breed on water, so watch out for them. Cleaning them every few hours is a good idea or disposing of the water when your cat is inside.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Install a cat flap. The cat will be happy if there is a door to go inside and out, cats don't want to be locked in or out. Cats change their mind often. Giving them a choice will make them much happier. An electronic cat flap that recognises your cats microchip or electronic is the best to prevent outside intruders (such as neighbouring cats and wild animals) coming in to your house.[[Image:Popping outside.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 5) Store all chemicals in a garden shed with a good lock. Cats usually don't try to eat chemicals but if they happen to lean against one, they will lick it off and may become poisoned. Make sure you don't lock the cat in the shed. Check for cracks and windows in the shed. The cat may find a way to sneak in and be unable to get out. Try preventing the cat getting into the shed by:[[Image:Garden_Shed_Door_Latch.JPG|center|550px]]
 * 6) *Placing a sheet of corrugated iron over the crack or window.
 * 7) *Spraying a cat repellent around the shed. Tea tree and eucalyptus oil will ward them off.
 * 8) *Planting a strong smelling plant such as capsicum (peppers), chilli or a citrus tree.
 * 9) Create a small section where your cat can go to the toilet. This will prevent them from digging up the grass and your plants. A bare patch of soft soil is ideal for this. To encourage the cat to use this area when it first starts exploring your garden, sprinkle some kitty litter on the the soil.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Cover your pools, fishponds and sandpits when not in use. Cats may accidentally fall into a pool, catch the fish and use the sandpit like their litter tray. Use netting that has very small holes -- small enough so that the cat cannot stick its paw in. If you are unable to get this kind of netting use a plastic sheet. For fishponds, use a clear plastic sheet.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 11) Place solar lights around the garden. This is so if the cat were to get into any trouble at night, you would be able to see what was going on. Cats can be attacked by a neighbouring cat or wild animal at night. Having lights around the garden will help so you can quickly get your cat and deal with the situation.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 12) Use weedkiller that is non-toxic to cats. If you have many weeds in your garden, ask your local hardware store which chemical to buy that isn't poisonous to pets.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 13) Plant flowers and plants that are cat friendly. Cats like to eat some plants but many are poisonous, always check the label to see. If you are unsure, ask your local hardware store.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 14) Create a shady spot in your garden. Make sure this spot is always clean and shady at all times of the day. Because cats like to hide, try using a small cubby house with a comfortable bed inside. You could even keep the water dish inside. Make sure you clean this area frequently as the cat could be spending most of its in there.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 15) Consider any birds who visit your garden. Protect them from becoming a cat-snack by discouraging them with bird scaring devices. Try not to provide cover for your cat to stalk the birds from. If you enjoy feeding wild birds, you may want to stop to keep the birds safe. Your cat is at risk of getting worms if it eats any wild birds or animals.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 12.jpg|center]]
 * 16) Install a high fence. This can be very costly but will keep your cat out of danger. Especially if you live on a busy road and there are other neighbouring cats. Ensure that the fence doesn't have any holes. Cats can fit through very small holes, however, some holes are too small and the cat may suffocate trying to get through. Always check with your local council before installing any fencing.[[Image:OIC_adelaide_brush_fence_high_st_kens.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 17) Have a first-aid emergency kit on hand. Read up on the different things cats are unable to eat and how to treat a wounds on a cat. You emergency kit should include:[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 14.jpg|center]]
 * 18) *Phone number of local vet clinic
 * 19) *Blanket or old towel
 * 20) *Medical records, identification and microchip paperwork
 * 21) *The cats medication
 * 22) *Pet carrier
 * 23) *Blunt scissors
 * 24) *Gauze pads
 * 25) *Bandages
 * 26) *Tweezers (for ticks)
 * 27) *Saline water (washing out wounds)
 * 28) Keep your garden clean. Mow the lawn frequently, make sure the cat is inside when you mow the lawn. Remove spider webs and weeds. Remember to wash any paving and dust window sills. Prune big plants and remove fallen branches. Call a pest control company and ask them to check for rats and other pests. Rats can give diseases to cats if bitten, scratched or eaten.[[Image:Prepare Your Garden for a Cat Step 15.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * Growing catnip around the place will ward off many insects (especially mosquitoes) and most cats love catnip.
 * Try sticking an emergency contact number (such as your local vet clinic) on a wall outside your house. This will help if the cat has been hurt outside.
 * If you can afford one, buy a quick release collar. If your cat gets stuck in a bush, the collar will come apart and the cat will be unharmed.

Warnings

 * Don't use an outdoor food dish. Other animals and insects will be attracted and the food dish may grow mildew. Instead, plant catnip and lemon grass for your cat to eat.
 * Though very rare, some cats dislike catnip. If you happen to find out that the cat dislikes catnip, experiment with small samples of other plants to find out which plant the cat likes.
 * Never use chicken wire to cover anything. Cats are very curious creatures and will stick their heads into anything. Chicken wire is dangerous and must be kept out of reach so they will not suffocate themselves.

Things You'll Need

 * Tree
 * Catnip (or any kind of plant cats are attracted to)
 * Bark
 * Water dish
 * Cat flap
 * Shed
 * Solar Lights
 * Shady area
 * Bed

Related wikiHows

 * Care for Your Cat
 * Build a Cat House
 * Fit a Cat Flap
 * Find the Best Bed for Your Cat