Vegetable beds and cats

[mschrisgo2]

So I discovered this morning that the cat who has been hanging around in my yard has also started using my vegetable beds as her litter box. (No one in the immediate neighborhood will admit to owning her; I suspect someone dumped her here.)

I am totally grossed out! I “scooped” the bed and put hog panels over it for tonight. (I dragged them home to make a t-trellis). Tomorrow I will use pvc pipe and chicken wire and make a more appropriate cover.

Meanwhile, is it safe to eat food grown where a cat has done its business?

[mschrisgo2]

I seem to have created a post upon which no one has an opinion!

[Gardnr]

I seem to have created a post upon which no one has an opinion!

I have no experience with this. Google it? That's what I would have to do.

[sweetana3]

I googled "keeping cats out of gardens" and found this excellent article with a variety of methods. We used to give out this info years ago. https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-problems/how-to-stop-a-cat-from-using-the-garden-as-a-litter-box/

[Tammy]

https://www.mcall.com/business/real-estate/mc-garden-cat-feces-garden-danger-20160415-story.html

This article seems to think that it’s not a very big deal. I grew up on a farm with cats who roamed and pooped wherever they pleased, and we had outdoor gardens and it didn’t seem to be a problem.

[befree]

I have had cats and vegetable gardens for years without any ill effects. Cats like the turned-over soil; it would be pretty tough to keep them out of it.

[KayLR]

I have chicken wire over all my raised beds to keep both cats and squirrels out for the winter. Then after I plant seeds in spring I replace it until everything's pretty well up.