There’s a lot of poo talk on the internet (some things are more closely connected to it than others), but what do you actually know about it? Nothing is more annoying than discovering something undesirable in your beautiful garden… “squidge” – uh oh! There are several animals that may pass by during the day or at night, use your grass or flower beds as a toilet, and leave their stinky, brown-coloured remains behind.
Badgers, rabbits, dogs, hedgehogs, and other animal droppings may occur in your garden. Two of the most common offenders are cats and foxes. Do you wake up to presents in your garden most mornings? Do you have young children who complain about you having to go outside to make sure there are no poops before they can go out and play?
In this article, we are going to compare and contrast fox poop and cat poop. What are the similarities? What are the differences? And most importantly, which one is better? Stay tuned to find out!
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Differences between fox poo and cat poo
Although cat faeces and fox poo may be similarly sized, there are distinct differences between them that can help you determine which animal is leaving you special presents on your lawn.
You can usually tell if it’s fox poo or cat poop by its aroma, shape, colour, and content:
Fox Poo
Fox poo is tiny, dark, and almost black in colour. They usually have fur, bone, feathers, or berries visible. The odour is musky and has an odd shape with one end terminating in a point.
Cat Poo
Healthy cat poop is small, smooth, and cylindrical in form with no visible contents and a solid texture like modelling clay.
Fox Poo or Cat Poo - The Great Annoyance
We’re one of a slew of garden lovers who have had difficulties with our neighbours’ cats defecating in the garden. We thought about using mulch but this can contain prickles that can be harmful if ingested (we don’t condone the harming of animals).
It’s not uncommon for us to neglect our gardens while away on holiday, but one of our members was furious to discover that a possible cat was using their pathway in the garden as a toilet after returning from holiday. Since then, we’ve been wondering whether a fox might be responsible; does anyone know how on earth to tell Cat and Fox poo apart?
How to Stop Cats Pooping In Your Garden
We wrote a fantastic article that outlines 10 tips to stop cats pooping in your garden, however, we will summarise the points below:
1. Odour Repellent
Cats may be deterred from entering your space by spraying it with a citronella and water combination. Another option is to use eucalyptus oil-soaked cloths or a mixture of Citronella & Water to keep them away from areas you don’t want cats in! If you apply essential oils directly to your pet, they will lack the enzyme called glucuronidase that transforms these chemicals into poisonous if ingested or absorbed through the skin.
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2. Cats dislike citrus peels
If you have plants in your yard that are attractive to cats, consider sprinkling citrus peels around the bases of those plants. Citrus has an unpleasant odour that is not natural to cats, so they will avoid locations where it is encountered. Because cats don’t like anything too citrusy, if you can find a way to surround your garden with lemons or oranges, this will assist!
3. Motion-activated water sprinklers
It’s easy to keep cats away using an infra-red sprinkler in your garden. When the water shoots out, it spooks them, and they quickly learn not to enter that zone again. It’s also simple for you because the consequences are only temporary.
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4. Sound Motion Detectors
A motion-activated sound machine, like a water sprinkler, will serve as a deterrent. Cats that are used to hunting or being outside in rural environments dislike loud noises and will avoid these locations if they are aware of one nearby.
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5. Light Reflection
Forget about high-powered spotlights or laser beams; LEDs that don’t dazzle passers-by are the ideal choice. Another fantastic method to make use of light reflection is to fill plastic water bottles with water and suspend them from tree branches to form a reflecting light.
6. Bananas
Bananas are a fantastic deterrent for cats since they dislike the odour. If you can manage to place some bananas around your garden’s perimeters, this will aid in preventing cats from entering! You might also try placing a small bowl or container with banana peelings nearby to keep cats away from attractive plants and deter them from returning.
7. Place twigs around your garden
Cats are a danger to flowerbeds. They don’t enjoy walking on the prickly ground, thus you may prevent this issue by laying twigs or rough leaves in your garden bed rather than the flowers. This might not appear appealing, but it’s worth considering as a simple method of keeping cats out!
8. Old hose pipe
Cut a ripped-up hose pipe or a rolled-up tarp and hang it around your garden to keep cats away. Cats dislike anything that resembles a snake, so conceal an old hose pipe or a rolled-up tarp in your yard. It may seem like common sense, but it has been proved to work, therefore it’s worth thinking about!
9. Purchase a dog
If you don’t have a dog in your garden all of the time, it’s well worth considering getting one. Dogs are fantastic at chasing cats away, so if you can ensure that there is always one around to keep them out of your yard, this will work nicely! Cats dislike being disturbed in their homes and loud noises, which is why dogs are great for this since they’ll bark and irritate them, making the cats want to stay away.
10. Sprinkle mothballs
Honestly, there’s no reason why this works, but it does. Cats dislike mothballs and will avoid anything that smells of them. If you’re feeling particularly wealthy, this may be the solution for you!
11. Dummy Cat Ornaments
Dummy cat ornaments with bright eyes that can be placed throughout the garden are available for purchase. Dummy cat ornaments are most effective when used in combination with other approaches such as pheromones to repel cats. Keep in mind that your ornament won’t be genuine after a while if you don’t move it around the garden!
Fox Poo or Cat Poo Differences
Here’s a list of things to consider if you’re trying to figure out which poo is which:
To establish their territory, foxes will defecate on curious locations like stones or logs.
The end of a fox’s poo will usually be twisted and pointed
Cats will bury their feces in loose soil or mulch. They will only go on concrete when attempting to assert dominance over another cats’ territory!
Check the soil around the cat droppings for toxoplasmosis, which may survive in cat feces and dirt for up to 18 months.
People Also Ask
How can you tell the difference between fox and cat poo?
The poo of a fox is commonly pointed at one end and is lumpy with all of the various detritus trapped in it like bone, feathers and berries. Cat poo is usually smoother and softer than urban fox scat, which has a more comparable consistency and form to dog poo.
Why are foxes pooping in my garden?
Foxes may be attracted to gardens because they provide a wealth of food opportunities, such as rodents, birds, berries and insects. They may also see gardens as an extension of their territory.
What should I do if there is fox poo in my garden?
If you have a garden and you find fox poo in it, the best thing to do is try and remove it all as soon as possible. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be dangerous if left uncleaned as it can contain diseases like toxoplasmosis. You can either use gloves or a shovel to pick it up and put it in the bin. If the droppings are fresh, you can also hose them away.
Do foxes poop in the same spot?
Foxes will typically only defecate in specific places to mark their territory as a way of communicating with other foxes. They may revisit these spots, but they won’t necessarily poop in the same place each time.
Can cats eat fox poo?
Cats cannot eat fox poo as it is not nutritional for them and may even make them sick. Like dogs, however, they may roll in it.
What smells do foxes hate?
Foxes may be deterred by using natural substances like chilli peppers, garlic, and capsaicin. Try blending a pot of chilli pepper and garlic in water before mixing it in a blender. Spray this solution about anywhere in your yard where you don’t want foxes to visit.
What can you put down to stop foxes pooping in my garden?
To keep them in place and secure, you may use some durable U-shaped garden pegs to prevent persistent foxes from disrupting them. Dig Stopper Prickle Strips are a fantastic approach to safeguard your yard from twofold issues of excrement and excavation.
