“Hey Red Phone, a preschool needs your help. Needless to say, how long must the pre-schoolers continue to step on and play in poopie tanbark and staff continue to scoop up kitty litter?”
Red Phone: Dear Pooper Scooper, Cats like nothing better than a giant sand box to take care of their business. Unfortunately, this can present health risks for young kids who come in contact with the droppings.
But there is help for daycare centers and parks that face this problem. Some people have had success using Tabasco sauce or Cayenne pepper around the area. Others have used tarps to cover the sand at night.
There are products such as Shake-Away, which contains the scent of natural predators designed to keep the cat away. And products such as the Contech Cat Stop Cat Repellent sends out a burst of ultrasonic sound that startles the cat when it comes near. The product claims to be safe for kids and has received mostly positive reviews from people who have tried it. Since cats are creatures of habit, one user suggested moving the device to different locations until the cat learns the sand box is not a good place to be.
“Unfortunately, there are no easy, proven ways to safely prevent them from using those areas as a rest stop,” said former San Martin veterinarian Pete Keesling.
“Chemicals (sprays, etc.) can’t be used because of safety concerns for the children. And having a dog around to patrol the area isn’t practical, unless it’s in someone’s back yard.”
Keesling said he has heard of products that scare cats away with an ultrasonic blast but has seen any independent reports to confirm their effectiveness. He said he would be interested to know if anyone has had success with one of these products.
