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AIBU?

Cat poo - was I being too reasonable?

131 replies

emseth · 06/11/2013 19:00

My neighbour came round the other day and said my cats are pooing in his garden. He has 2 cats of his own but he said they only poo in their litter tray so he's sure it not them. He said I'm going to have to keep my cats indoors as his 2 year old keeps coming in from the garden covered in cat poo.

I have agreed to this - although we plan to get our garden cat proofed ASAP - the wistful looking out the window, meowing and scratching on the doors is getting on my nerves - and it's only been 2 days!

I've been really surprised at the reaction of my friends - they think I'm mad for agreeing to keep them in. They are my pets though so surely it's my responsibility to ensure they're not bothering my neighbours?

Thoughts please!

OP posts:
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Sokmonsta · 06/11/2013 19:06

Personally I think you're mad keeping cats, which like to be outdoors, in. They're also roaming animals so not as easy to pick up after as dogs - what's your neighbour going to do if your cats are in and he's still getting poop in his grass, ask everyone within a large radius to keep their pets in too?

I don't have cats. Neighbours do and tbh the only time we have a problem is when our grass gets a wee bit too long. I used to sprinkle cats away granules and had success with them. But since keeping the lawn trimmed regularly I haven't had to.

Sorry, I can't suggest anything which would be easy to ask of your neighbour. But I don't think you should keep your cats in if they aren't wholly house cats.

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Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2013 19:10

I think YABU letting your neighbour tell you what to do, and if his cats go outdoors how does he know every single poo goes in the litter tray? How does he know for a fact it's your cats?

And his 2 year old 'covered' in poo? Really?

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Fleta · 06/11/2013 19:12

I wish all cat owners were as willing to compromise as you OP!

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Caitlin17 · 06/11/2013 19:13

I think neighbour is completely unreasonable. I also don't understand how his daughter got covered in cat poo. Cats bury it.

Why on earth would she be covered in it.

I think it's really cruel keeping cats indoors especially when they are used to getting out.

I wouldn't keep mine in. He can get any number of things to cat proof his garden.

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Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2013 19:14

That's not a compromise Fleta. Confused

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Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2013 19:14

He can't cat proof his garden as he has cats of his own. Confused

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GhostsInSnow · 06/11/2013 19:15

YABU.
How does he know its your cats? Do they sign their turds when done? Could be neighbours cats, could even be foxes.

Let the poor things out.

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KittensoftPuppydog · 06/11/2013 19:15

My cats used to poo in their tray and outside.
Poor little sods sound like they're just getting the blame.

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AgentZigzag · 06/11/2013 19:16

It's generally OK (to a lot of people) to keep cats indoors, but it has to be from them being kittens so they don't know any different.

It's OK to then let those cats out so they can get to the outside/back in all the time.

But it's pretty cruel to coop them up after they've been used to going out, especially for no good reason.

YABU to take their word for it.

Awww let them out!

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Mabelface · 06/11/2013 19:16

Let your cats out.

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RescueCack · 06/11/2013 19:17

You sound like a really great neighbour! Not "too" reasonable, considerate. Cat proof your garden ASAP and then if it isn't yours, he'll know. If it is, you are doing what needs to be done.

And can we stop saying "cats bury it". Denial!

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trixymalixy · 06/11/2013 19:17

I think you're mad for keeping them in. Is your neighbour going to keep his cats in as it is just as likely to be his cats or other neighbourhood cats. If not he's a total hypocrite.

It's not fair to keep cats who have been used to going outside inside. You could try getting them a litter tray.

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AgentZigzag · 06/11/2013 19:17

Is it being too judgy to ask why they aren't keeping a better eye on their 2 YOs so they don't get covered in whatever animal shit they're getting covered in?

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Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2013 19:19

Well I have seen my cat bury hers, so she's doing her bit Rescue.

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ElleBelly · 06/11/2013 19:19

If cats bury their poo why have I had to clear up 4 fucking piles of the revolting shit from my garden this morning?
Op you sound very reasonable and at least understanding of the fact that some people might not want your pet crapping on their property.

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Fleta · 06/11/2013 19:19

My daugher once got covered in it Agent - we were playing ball, she crawled under the trees to get it, covered in cat poo.

But now I sort it by dumping a bucket of water over the little blighters - they NEVER poo in my garden any more

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Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2013 19:20

What is their 2 year old doing rolling around the garden on a rainy cold day in November?

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PMDD · 06/11/2013 19:22

I had my old neighbour ask me to come round and pick my cats' poo up from her garden. I said no. I know I will be flamed for this but cats are very different to dogs, both in terms of ownership legal requirements and how they roam. I would not lock my cats up and I would tell my neighbour that unless he would like to move to the outer hebredes where there are no neighbours, he has to put up with it.

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AgentZigzag · 06/11/2013 19:22

There are a lot of animals roaming about at night, how are the posters saying it's the cats know for sure?

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IPreferCats · 06/11/2013 19:24

Let your cats out FGS!

Most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

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ElleBelly · 06/11/2013 19:26

PMDD I don't understand how presumably no one thinks it would be acceptable to let a dog shit in someone else's garden, how is cat shit different? It's just as offensive.

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gamerchick · 06/11/2013 19:27

Cats do not Bury it. What a load of crap! !
Yes keep them in.. everybody should.

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AgentZigzag · 06/11/2013 19:27

Because cats aren't dogs Elle?

Different animal, see?

Grin

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AgentZigzag · 06/11/2013 19:28

Keep them in, or use a cork to keep it in while they're out gamer?

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IPreferCats · 06/11/2013 19:31

My cats bury. All cats I've had (many) have buried their poo.

Maybe I just taught them well Grin

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