Question by Nancy P: How do I keep stray cats out of yard and off cushions?
My parents neighbors have many cats and my mom found out from her neighbor that her son feels bad for strays and leaves food out for them every night. Her son is 30 years old and whenever his mother says something to him about doing that, it turns into a big fight. My problem is my father and my son are highly allergic to cats and the cats lay all over their outdoor furniture cushions. As soon as my son sits on any furniture he starts with the itchy watery eyes. We do give him allergy medicine the whole time we are there but he once wound up in ICU for a week from being around a cat and I fear that will happen again. We were over her house yesterday and this morning my son couldn’t open his eyes due to allergies. She has 2 dogs but they don’t stay outside without her, these cats lay on the furniture all night and when she’s not home. We have to do something that is not harmful to her dogs or to children. Any suggestions?

Best answer:

Answer by Aaron W
Cats are notoriously impossible to keep out of anything, let alone something as open as a backyard. A large chain link fence might work, but they’re expensive & may not be possible if your parents are renting or have to deal w/a home owner’s association. So you’ve got 2 options-get rid of the cats or get rid of the fabric cushions which trap the cat hair.

-Call animal control. I love animals, but haiving a huge population of stray cats hanging out in your backyard is a BAD idea. This is how diseases spread. Plus I’m guessing these cats aren’t neutered/spayed, so it won’t be long for their population begins to increase even more. Animal control can catch some of the animals & give them the care/vaccinations they need & possibly find homes for some of them. Some of them may already have homes, but may be reported missing due to the fact that they now reside in your parent’s neighbor’s backyard (cat’s will generally go where the food & company is best & it sounds like there’s a feline mardi-gra feast going on there). I’m sure her son think’s he’s helping the cats, but in the long run, he’s not.

- Get rid of the cushions & get plastic outdoor furniture
-Some stores sell covers for outdoor fabric cushions or the entire piece of furntiture-invest in that (try Lowes or wherever you would find furniture similar to what you own).

Basically, you have to cover up the fabric or vaccum it every day. Plastic is much easier to wash off & the cats probably won’t be as attracted to it.

Good luck!

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Question by Nancy P: How do I keep stray cats out of yard and off cushions?
My parents neighbors have many cats and my mom found out from her neighbor that her son feels bad for strays and leaves food out for them every night. Her son is 30 years old and whenever his mother says something to him about doing that, it turns into a big fight. My problem is my father and my son are highly allergic to cats and the cats lay all over their outdoor furniture cushions. As soon as my son sits on any furniture he starts with the itchy watery eyes. We do give him allergy medicine the whole time we are there but he once wound up in ICU for a week from being around a cat and I fear that will happen again. We were over her house yesterday and this morning my son couldn’t open his eyes due to allergies. She has 2 dogs but they don’t stay outside without her, these cats lay on the furniture all night and when she’s not home. We have to do something that is not harmful to her dogs or to children. Any suggestions?
My parents yard is fenced in, they have a resort-like backyard with a built in pool and about 30 different kinds of seating so bringing cushions in each night is really a hassle, if it’s a choice between being inconvenieced each night or the health of the family, of course I would opt to bring the cushions in, but why should we be inconvenienced this way when they own the home and choose not to have cats for pets. About animal control, I don’t know exactly what they will do for us, but what good is it when the guy next door just keeps leaving food out for them. Another bunch of cats will be hanging around soon anyway. They will be back again. What does animal control do about this guy next door. They aren’t neutered and there has been several kitten litters under my mothers shed. Some look like they are sick and something is wrong with their eyes. I am just disgusted with this whole thing. Besides these cats, everything else about the house and the neighborhood my parents love.
The two dogs are my mom’s. Sorry, I didn’t make that clear in my question.

Best answer:

Answer by ? ? ? VMK?Miley?Disney? ? ?
Keep the cushions in the house. Also, the neighbors should not let those cats go on their neighbor’s lawn when they are allergic!! That is very wrong!! Tell the neighbors that if they let the cats in your parent’s lawn, then you’re calling the police. Simple as that. Then, straight away, they will get the cats off the lawn. And that 30 year old son has to learn that he should not let their stuff go onto other people’s property. GOoD LuCk!

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Question by judy o: My 8yr dog wont go potty in the yard!?
I adopted 8yr old dog that owners said did not like walks because her legs couldnt keep up they would have to carry her home. She went in there yard. I started walking her from day one 3x a day and she loves them. Sometimes when longer or really hot she will take a break and lay down for a minute but that does not stop her from getting excited when I get the chain and bag out. My husband reminded me that in a short time we will be in the frozen tundra and I wont want to take her for 3 walks a day getting her all sloppy so I am trying to get her to go in the yard but she wont. She will hold it forever! Right now she has been out every 1/2 hour (more work for me than taking her for that walk) and its been I kid you not 19 hours since she went. Shes a shizu and I cant bathe her every day come winter. Its not good for her skin (she has allergies and it would not be good) Im trying to play with her to get thing moving simulating a walk with no luck. She also wont go out in the rain.

Best answer:

Answer by Beth
You know that little bag you take with you on the walks…I’m guessing that you are cleaning up after her as you go??…
If so… find the area you want her to go at in the yard and place her “leftovers” from your bag there. She will realize it is “hers” (by scent) and that is acceptable to “go” in that area.

good luck!

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Question by Cheryl Valentino: Can clover in my yard, make my dogs keep sneezing?
My two dogs have started sneezing on a regular basis, especially when they are in the yard where the clover has been growing. It seems like they have an allergy to it. I have not changed cleaning products, detergents or their food. Is it possible? I never had this much clover in my backyard before and the dogs have never reacted this way before.

Best answer:

Answer by shooter1
Is the clover blooming? If so, the pollen may be causing them to sneeze. If the clover isn’t blooming it may be dust that’s causing the sneezing, especially if you have had very dry weather. It could also be something else entirely, not related to the clover or the dust.

Good luck and enjoy!

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Question by Cowgirl Up: Need help with MAJOR Flea infestation of home & yard.?
I have several dogs, all of which are treated by frontline, groomed weekly and flea and tick free. My home and yard are infested with them. I read that watering your lawn will usually do the trick outside, but that is not working in my case.

I’ve used a carpet powder for fleas in my home, mop daily, vacuum along baseboards, have even taken out area rugs and nothing seems to be helping.

My kids play outside, and are covered in them which makes playing outside impossible. I’ve even started seeing them inside our vehicles.

I really need a sure fire way of getting rid of them because my son has skin allergies, and the fleas are literally driving him crazy, not to mention that I’m extremely paranoid we will accidentally ingest them! YUK!

Best answer:

Answer by applecrisp
Most home improvement stores have powers that will kill fleas.

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