Cats are cute fluffy creatures that you want to cuddle and pet endlessly with their pleasant purrs and soothing purrs. This is how most ordinary people treat animals, but only until they choose their entrance as their toilet.
There are immediately noticeably fewer touching animal lovers, and compassionate old women who feed mustachioed animals are outlawed.
And the only question that interests all residents is how to get rid of an unwanted neighborhood?
Why fight cats in the hallway?
The first thing to do is to immediately cut off all sources of food for stray cats in the entrance.
Talk to compassionate pensioners and politely explain the situation to them, as well as give specific arguments.
- The fact is that it is in nature for animals to consider the feeding area as their property. If you feed the cat once, he will definitely come back again, and then he will mark your door or wall and will do this every time he passes by.
- In addition to the terrible stench, homeless animals can be carriers of dangerous diseases: lichen, salmonellosis, hepatitis and many others. If children live in the entrance, this is a direct danger for them, because it is difficult for a child to pass by a cute cat without petting it or at least touching it.
- Animals living in the entrance can no longer be called pets. Wild instincts awoke in them, and with them the unpredictable behavior characteristic of their larger brothers.
- With cat feces, complete unsanitary conditions will reign in the entrance: excrement on every corner, disgusting smell, pathogenic bacteria.
Why does a cat shit near the door?
Often, neighbor cats living in nearby areas, or stray pets living in the entrance, mark the doors of a stranger. If you do not deal with the problem in time, a persistent smell of ammonia will soon appear. Also, behavioral disruptions are not uncommon among pets who constantly went to the litter box, and then suddenly started peeing on the front door. The situation is especially aggravated during estrus. Similarly, a cat exhibits sexual instincts and is unable to understand that it is doing something wrong. It is useless to scold and punish a pet during sexual activity; the only effective solution to the problem is castration or sterilization. Other factors can influence whether neighbors or a domestic cat marks the door:
- Severe stress.
- Pathological disorders: impaired kidney function;
- urolithiasis disease;
- cystitis;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and others.
Harm from stray cats
Despite the above arguments, there will definitely be ardent defenders among the neighbors who will fight for the rights of the “poor animals” and continue to feed them.
And yet, loving and humanely treating cats is one thing, but endangering the health of others is quite another.
Let's look at the dangerous diseases they carry.
- Rabies is rare, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. A bite from an infected animal can be fatal to a person if first aid is not provided in time.
- Ringworm is a very unpleasant fungal disease that requires long and expensive treatment. The drugs currently known against it have a detrimental effect on health and have many side effects.
- Toxoplasmosis - if pregnant women live in the building, it is simply necessary to get rid of cats, because the life and health of the unborn baby depends on it. The infection is transmitted to cats from mice (known carriers of various infections), and for humans to become infected, skin contact with animal feces is sufficient. An unsuspecting tenant can carry them on his shoes into his apartment, get sick himself, and also transmit the infection to his pets.
- Chlamydia - cases of transmission of the disease from cats to humans are quite rare, but such a danger still exists.
- Salmonellosis is an intestinal infection that is often observed in sick animals living in damp conditions and poor nutrition.
- Worms - stray animals are almost 100% carriers of parasites and can transmit them to people.
- Fleas choose to live on the fur of cats and do not live on the human body, but they can easily infect you with dangerous infections.
In addition to health problems, animals can cause other harm.
- A terrifying smell - cats, by their nature, are designed in such a way that they constantly need to fight for their territory. And so that the opponent can understand that he has crossed the forbidden line, the animals mark everything they come across with pungent and odorous urine. It has a very strong unpleasant odor and does not evaporate well; it is very difficult to get rid of it. If several cats live in the entrance, the “aroma” will be so strong that it will permeate not only the entire staircase, but also the residents’ apartments.
- Noise - competition between cats results not only in a depressing smell, but also in terrible screams under the windows and in the entrance. The strongest opponent is considered to be the one with the loudest and nastiest voice. Cats usually start their “showdowns” at night, when normal people are sleeping. In the spring, in addition to the usual fights, love cries are added, which only the most patient residents can endure.
- Stealing – cats are very smart, especially when it comes to getting food. It costs them nothing to sneak through an open window on the ground floor, grab a delicious piece of meat or fish that the hostess has left defrosting on the table, and jump back out unnoticed. The bars will not become an obstacle to cunning people.
These arguments should persuade even the most stubborn residents of your home to get rid of cats. When the neighbors are convinced, you can begin to take action.
Do not poison animals or use physical force against them under any circumstances. For cruel treatment you can get a real criminal sentence. There are many humane methods of dealing with cats without causing casualties on both sides.
Special means
In pet stores you can find cat repellent products. They are designed specifically to prevent cats from marking their territory, going to the litter box, and weaning themselves from scratching furniture and eating flowers. The basis of these products is usually the usual repellers - plants and essential oils. But in addition, they may contain enzymes from the urine of large animals - coyotes and foxes.
Before use, it is advisable to find reviews about the drug, since not every one of them successfully copes with its function. When choosing such a product, it is important to familiarize yourself with its components and make sure that it does not contain harmful chemicals. It is also worth considering that artificial flavors can cause allergies in animals or humans. Therefore, making your own repellent from natural products is much safer.
If all of the above methods for repelling cats from your private home have not been successful, or they cannot be used due to certain circumstances, pay attention to electronic cat repellers, which are becoming increasingly popular every year.
The operating principle of these devices is based on the use of a special sensor that reacts to the movement of cats, and as soon as this sensor detects its target, a special ultrasonic siren is turned on, forcing the cat to leave the area of influence of this repeller.
The advantage of this kind of repeller is that the sound signal they emit is absolutely safe for humans and is not perceived by their ears.
In addition, electronic repellers take up little space and can be installed in any room or outdoor space, regardless of climatic conditions. The devices can operate either from the mains or from a battery.
We suggest you read: A chicken can’t lay an egg, what to do?
It is also worth mentioning that recently new types of electronic cat repellers have begun to appear, which, instead of sound impact, release a stream of liquid that smells unpleasant to cats into the animal. Unfortunately, electronic repellers based on water spray are much more expensive than ultrasonic ones, and at the same time they are less effective when it comes to long-term use, without the possibility of timely maintenance of the devices.
You can also add special scented crystals to the cat repeller section, which are saturated with a cat-repellent smell. These crystals can be used both at home and outdoors. To do this, they are scattered in places where cats do not want to appear, after which the animals will avoid them. They can be purchased at almost any veterinary pharmacy, but limit their use to areas where small children live.
Aerosol cat repellers are divided into 2 main categories, such as:
- sprays aimed at protecting shoes, furniture and household appliances from the unwanted attention of cats;
- sprays aimed at scaring away cats in places where they have unwanted bowel movements.
In general, these sprays are aimed at educational work and are used mainly in enclosed spaces; they are quite expensive, and when sprayed in open areas they quickly lose their properties, which makes their use as an outdoor repellent for stray cats unprofitable and often pointless.
Folk remedies
Everyone knows that some plants, for example, valerian, are particularly attractive to cats. But not everyone knows the substances that animals cannot tolerate.
These include any essential oils, such as eucalyptus or clove. Make an agreement with the cleaner who is cleaning your entrance and give her the product. Just add a few drops to a bucket of water.
Another effective way to get rid of cat family is to use ground black pepper. Sprinkle the animal's resting areas with spice, and for added effect, spray pepper tincture from the bottle. If it gets on the tongue, it will cause a burning sensation and discomfort.
In order to get rid of the pungent cat odor, you do not need to wash the floors with bleach. The effect will be the opposite. It has the ability to enhance odors, and the cats will come to mark the territory again.
To completely eliminate the stench, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is useful. After treating the marked area with this product, even homeless animals themselves will not be able to find it.
What in general can keep cats away from the yard?
Do cats shit in the entrance? Use chemicals. They are presented in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies in a large assortment. The owner can choose the remedy himself, after consulting with the seller, since in each individual case certain devices may be effective. They are available in the form of a spray, which must be constantly treated with the entrance.
Effective means, according to customer reviews, are liquids that are used in hospitals. They are designed to eliminate the odor of urine, vomit and feces, but they are quite expensive.
Carpet deep cleaning products are also popular among people facing this problem. They can be purchased at household chemical stores.
1. It is necessary to get rid of food sources in your yard, and most importantly, tightly close garbage containers, if any. Often, it is the accumulation of food waste, as well as food forgotten in the yard, that is the main magnet for other people's cats to visit your yard, prowling in search of food. If you have pets in your yard, you also need to hide their bowls after feeding them.
2. If possible, install moving lawn sprinklers in your yard. These devices have both automatic and manual watering modes, which allows you to activate the sprinklers when the cat first approaches your area and drive the insolent animal out of the yard for a long time. This method is very effective, but requires additional costs for installing an irrigation system and increased waste of water.
3. Plant special plants on your property whose smell repels cats. So, you can plant bushes of fragrant rue around your yard, since cats cannot stand its smell. In addition, you can collect fragrant rue in bunches and place them in the barn, along the fence, in the garden and at the doorstep. In addition to this plant, you can use citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus and lavender. You can also purchase special scented oils with the scent of these plants, soak rags in them, and leave them in areas where cats appear.
4. Use a water gun as a repeller. As soon as you notice that a cat has appeared on your property, sneak up to it and spray it with a stream of water from a water pistol, which will shock the animal. For greater effectiveness, you can add vinegar, ammonia, acetone, or citrus and lavender flavoring to the water.
How to deal with cats in the basement?
It often happens that after measures have been taken, animals are moved from the entrance to the basement. On the one hand, it’s not so scary, there are practically no residents in the basement, the landing is clean, what else is needed?
On the other hand, all the reasons why the decision was made to get rid of the cats, except for the stench in the entrance, have not gone away.
In addition, it is even easier to catch a dangerous disease in the basement, because animals live in poor conditions (dampness, fleas, food waste, contact with infectious rodents). A person on the soles of his shoes can bring home particles of excrement from a sick stray cat and infect the pet.
The same mustachioed intolerance to certain odors will help get rid of animals in the basement:
- Onion and garlic.
Finely chop and mash a little until the juice releases, and then place it in the cats’ resting areas.
- Citrus peels.
Another unloved smell for tailed animals. Place orange, tangerine and lemon peelings or grate zest in gathering places, and soon the cat family will leave your house for good. It is effective to spray water mixed with lemon juice. And paired with essential oils, the product guarantees unsurpassed results.
- Pepper solution.
The following recipe is very effective for expelling furry hooligans: add 3 teaspoons of ground pepper to 0.5 liters of boiled water and mix well. Spray the territory of the cat kingdom with the resulting solution.
- Vinegar and ammonia.
They have a very unpleasant effect on cats’ sense of smell and irritate the nasal mucosa.
- Perfume.
Animals do not like artificially created aromas of industrial perfumery, and especially sharp and tart odors that hit the nose. Eau de toilette for cats is not much better than vinegar. However, it is unlikely that any of your neighbors will sacrifice their favorite bottle for noble purposes.
- Industrial products.
In fact, the effectiveness of sprays produced by some companies is noticeably inferior to natural ingredients. It is better not to spend a lot of money on dubious pleasure, but to use one of the proven means listed above.
- Electronic devices.
Nowadays you can find various ultrasonic devices on sale, specially designed to repel wild animals. The devices are also suitable for cats. They also hate ultrasound (for animals this is a wild cry), their hearing is much stronger and more receptive than that of humans.
However, you don’t have to bother yourself, but simply write a complaint (collective or individual) to the management company with a request to rid the house of unwanted animals.
The application must be accepted for execution, because compliance with sanitary standards is the direct responsibility of the service company. They will drive out all the animals, and install special barriers in the basements that will not allow cats to enter there again.
How to get cats out of the basement
In urban areas, cats usually settle in the basement, it is warm there, people appear infrequently.
- Chopped onions and garlic (lemon or tangerine peel) scattered around the basement will quickly wean them off.
- Repellent solution: stir a few tablespoons of ground black pepper in 500 ml of hot water, let it brew, pour into a spray bottle, and spray in the corners.
- Spraying with vinegar will cause cats to go into shock.
In the basement, cats do not bother anyone, but if the basement is dirty and damp, cats can get sick:
- fungal diseases
- dermatological diseases
- chlamydia.
Plus they can carry rabies and other diseases. This danger appears if there are rats in the basement, which cats hunt. Furry hunters often die because rats are poisoned with poisons to which they are immune.
In this case, the responsibility of the housing office is not to exterminate cats, but to bring the basement premises into decent shape. Treatment against insects and rodents will prevent the spread of all the unpleasant things listed above.
Cats are distrustful and will not be picked up, so stories about infected children have no basis.
As for worms, this is a common problem that is only remotely related to cats. Most children become infected with worms, and prevention of infestation must be carried out regularly, regardless of the presence of cats somewhere in the basement.
How to deal with cats in the yard?
To prevent animals from returning, they usually take comprehensive measures and get rid of them in the yard near their home.
It’s as easy as pie to do this: organize a beautiful flowerbed or hedge near your house with plants that cats simply cannot stand the smell of. They are especially disgusted by the fragrant aromas of rue, lavender and mint.
Thus, you can “kill two birds with one stone”: get rid of annoying neighbors and improve the surrounding area.
In the fight against furry creatures, do not forget about kindness and compassion, because cats do not harm people of their own free will. Their behavior and instincts are laid down by nature itself.
And cat advocates should understand that sympathy for animals is good in moderation. When it comes to the safety of others, we must show love to them as well.
Alpha male or terrible revenge?
Many people, out of ignorance, are sure that their neighbors, and sometimes their own four-legged tailed animals, show their indomitable character in a similar way.
Or they take revenge for punishment in the form of slippers, brooms, a bucket of cold water, etc. Everything is much more complicated and depends on the nature of the furry creatures. People know about the high olfactory abilities of dogs, while underestimating cats. And their world in the same way mainly consists of smells, which play the role of media, alarm signals and messengers.
Cat marks are concentrated portions of urine with pheromones, and not only males, but also females can delimit territory. By marking a place, the animal thereby sets up a kind of barrier for other animals and a reminder for itself that increased care should be taken here. There may be several reasons for this.
- The alpha male marks the territory, wanting to show others who is boss in the pack. No matter how cute and domestic these animals may seem, the ancient instincts inherent in Mother Nature will always be stronger.
- This is a manifestation of the cat's sexual activity. If your cat is in heat, potential suitors will not fail to notify you of their existence.
- Cats also experience stress. This may be due to renovations, the appearance of a new pet in the house or in the neighborhood.
- Another factor of anxiety is the arrival of a baby in the family.
- Disease.
Experts believe that either one factor or a combination of them can cause an unpleasant phenomenon. In some cases, an animal begins to mark for a specific reason, and the owners, without understanding, constantly punish him for this. As a result, the intensity of the marks only intensifies as the cat becomes very nervous.
What to do in such cases? The most important thing is not to punish when it comes to a pet. He will not understand the reason and will continue his work. Let's look at several possible ways to solve the odor problem.
How to make the life of a cat in the entrance comfortable
In many entrances you can find cats living permanently. In order for the coexistence of people and animals to be comfortable, and cats not to cause problems by littering the common area, it is necessary to create the right conditions for them and perform a number of medical procedures:
- Mandatory castration of cats and sterilization of cats . Unneutered cats mark their territory with urine and feces, shitting in corners and on doormats. Territory marking occurs especially under those doors behind which domestic cats live.
- Treatment for fleas and parasites . If you do not follow this recommendation, fleas will soon inhabit the basement and enter apartments, infecting your furry pets.
- Proper organization of nutrition . The optimal diet for indoor cats is dry industrial food. This is the most hygienic type of food, since natural products quickly deteriorate and cause flies and other parasites.
- Setting up a cat litter box . Cats must use a litter box with cat litter. Most of the pussies go to the toilet outside, but there are exceptions. Purrs are especially reluctant to go outside in the rain and cold. Therefore, the tray must be installed.
Get rid of cats in the yard
Green spaces will help reduce the number of cats in the yard - there are plants that cats dislike, and they need to be planted and cultivated.
Lavender, mint, rue - these plants need to be planted in flower beds, and a hedge made of rue should be made. Cats will avoid where they grow.
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If you are tired of impudent cats, there are special repellent sprays on sale. But you will have to buy with a reserve - you will have to spray the habitats regularly until the cats get tired of checking if the smell has disappeared.
How to wean a cat from an unpleasant habit
Before starting an active fight against cats shitting in the entrance, it is important to decide which animal is shitting. There are often situations when “accessible” pets are cleaner than domestic ones.
If not only stray cats live in the same area, but also pets have access to the front door, it is important to understand which of them is making mistakes.
Fighting methods:
- Major general cleaning. All corners in the entrance must be wiped with a rag soaked in a solution of water and vinegar. Cats do not like the smell of vinegar, which has a strong, irritating effect on them. In addition to the fact that cats are unlikely to have the desire to revisit a corner treated with vinegar, this substance will help get rid of the smell of cat excrement. Instead of vinegar, you can use citric acid.
- If citric acid and vinegar repel not only cats, but also people, you can replace them with spicy essential oils. Effective and recommended are cloves, lemon, mint and eucalyptus, grapefruit. It is enough to pour a few drops of the selected oil into 1 bucket of water.
- Place bowls of food in places used by animals as toilets. Cats, even if they have a bad habit of shitting in the front door, remain clean animals. They definitely won’t go to the toilet near their food, but they will have to place food containers throughout the entrance. Gradually, you can wean off going to the toilet in the entrance, and the cat will begin to use the litter tray or go outside.
- Place irritating foods in the corners - orange or lemon zest, chopped onions, fir, garlic. Corners treated with these products will repel the cat.
Daring away from "marks". Kitties quite often poop under the door on the rug for the reason that they are marking their territory. The smell of their own urine will constantly attract them. To discourage a cat from “marking” a rug or door, you should use the advice of experts:
- It is recommended to remove animal excrement immediately so that the mat does not absorb odors and again attract the pet to relieve itself.
- Replacing the rug. If the cat has gone to one place several times, it is better to replace the rug and treat the new item with essential oils, vinegar or citric acid.
- By completely removing the mat, the cat will be able to give up his habit.
- Using double-sided tape. When the cat next stands on the mat by the door, its paws will stick to the tape, this will bring the animal a lot of uncomfortable sensations: pain, stuck and pulled out fur. It is unlikely that he will want to repeat this again.
Scarecrow with cat sound, is it legal?
One of the modern ways to get rid of stray cats is to use a special scarecrow with sound. The operation of this device is based on ultrasonic waves, which are audible only to animals and cause them a feeling of anxiety.
The Law of the Russian Federation dated December 27, 218 No. 498-FZ does not indicate whether such repellers can be used against representatives of the animal world. In Art. 11 of this regulatory act only states that animals must be protected from cruelty. It should be noted that repellers are absolutely not harmful to the health of pets. In this regard, we can conclude that the use of such methods of dealing with stray cats is completely legal.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that any methods chosen to drive away stray cats must be humane. Otherwise, you may find yourself prosecuted for animal cruelty.
The best way to help an abandoned animal is to take it home, but usually people who sympathize with animals already have a full house. The question arises - where to hand over a stray cat.
Now there are shelters for stray cats, how humane this is is a separate question. There are documented facts of cruelty to animals in some institutions: they starve there and are deprived of basic care.
How to get rid of cats in the entrance
If cats have settled in the entrance, it is not difficult for them to survive.
- Do not feed directly in the entrance, cats quickly get used to it and will come.
- Many residents of the house keep dogs and go for walks with them. Cats don't settle where there are dogs.
- Stray animals are quite shy, cautious and suspicious of smells. There are a number of substances with an unbearable odor.
- They are discouraged with ground black pepper - when licking its paws, the cat will feel an extremely unpleasant burning sensation and will gradually understand where not to go.
- An important point is to get rid of cat marks and the smell of urine in the entrance. Sprinkling with bleach does not work, it only disinfects. If, after washing with bleach, you spray these places with a solution of potassium permanganate, nothing will remain of the smell. You will have to add a teaspoon of any essential oil to a bucket of water for cleaning. Fir, clove, and eucalyptus give a good repellent effect. With constant cleaning, this place will become extremely unpleasant for cats.
There is no need to get irritated and try to hit or kick the cat. The law provides for punishment for such actions. The animal will become more careful, but will not leave its favorite place.
Permitted number of cats in an apartment according to the law
The current Russian legislation does not define a specific number of cats that a citizen has the right to keep in his apartment.
At the same time, in paragraph 3 of Art. 13 of the Law of the Russian Federation dated December 27, 2018 No. 498-FZ states that the maximum number of pets must be calculated in such a way that the owner can provide them with adequate living conditions. In this case, we are talking about compliance with veterinary standards and sanitary and epidemiological rules.
For what reasons do cats start doing this?
- Animal bad manners. To avoid this, every owner must raise the animal as a kitten. After all, problems arise not only in the entrance, but also in the apartment.
- Unsuitable litter or wet tray. It needs to be changed when it gets dirty. If the litter in the tray is already wet, the cat will look for another place.
- Diseases associated with urination. Watch your cat. Maybe she just doesn't make it to the litter box.
- Emotional experiences. This could be moving or other stress. In this case, the problem will go away on its own.
In addition, the reason may simply be the desire to mark the territory.
If the cause is illness, then under no circumstances should the animal be punished. Most likely, the cat knows that the toilet is not here, but simply does not have time to get to it. In this case, you should help him and take him to the veterinarian.
