Now I think I know what has been causing footprints in the garden. I’d been reticent to mention seeing them, for fear of being considered a bit paranoid. So, I decided I must have somehow made them myself, albeit quite how I could have them so small would have been the question.
After getting back from my parents this afternoon, I dutifully topped up the Green Johanna with vegetable peelings and did a bit of pruning. The next thing I knew, there was a very large cat taking a drink from the pond.
Apart from looking up from its lapping when it noticed me, it seemed totally unperturbed. It sat in the position you can see in the photo until it eventually decided to wander down the path to the back of the garden and jump onto the fence before disappearing next door.
I hope it was simply thirst rather than on the lookout for birds. The pond was constructed for them and, hopefully, for other wild creatures such as toads, so all told I’m not especially happy that domestic pets are using it as a watering hole.
When I was a kid, my dad kept koi in our large pond. These were a magnet for local cats and my mum took exception to them, rushing out of the kitchen every time she saw one. At least, we don’t have any fish, unless something truly remarkable is going on.
Growing out of chaos 
We had trouble with cats using our beds as litter trays. I spread clippings from a hawthorn hedge over the area and they went somewhere less spiky. \i feel slightly guilty, but i made gardening less hazardous. Just a thought . . .
Thank you for the tip.
I’ve seen cats attracted to places where I used to ‘plant’ the contents of my bokashi bin and they also like manure. Fortunately, I haven’t seen them using the garden as a toilet in the last couple of years but perhaps the holly I’ve been using to decorate the house would be helpful round the pond.
Yes that would help. I like cats but I also like birds and being able to work in my garden without that element of Russian roulette introduced by the cats.
Did you know there was a campaign to make people keep their cats indoors?
No. It had never occurred to me that it was possible. I naturally associate cats with being outdoors and calling in when they need food.
I can’t imagine it is possible but at least one gardener I follow on Twitter has been calling for such.
I think Bill Oddie mentioned it a while ago, in relation to the slaughter of wild birds by marauding cats.
Yes, that will be it.
Cats don’t have any boundaries do they. We have a few feral ones around us and don’t encourage them because we feed the birds.
Yes, unfortunately cats play havoc with birds.
Other people’s cats can be a nuisance. We once had one with a bell round its neck – no doubt to warn birds, but it irritated me.
😊 You can’t win, can you!
I have cats who visit to use the grass as a toilet, I put the offending turds around the fence to deter my nemesis, rats.
Good idea!
I have 3 cats so cannot complain about anyone else’s! They are excellent at controlling vermin in the garden but do occasionally catch birds so I never put bird feeders out. There is plenty of cover for birds to enjoy the garden out of danger. It must be much harder in a suburban setting.
Yes, they are good at controlling vermin, that’s for sure.
Cats are lovely until they start eating birds and other small animals one had hoped to attract! Wishing you a healthy and rewarding new year, Helen!
Thank you, Cynthia. All the best to you and your family for this year 😊