This is disgusting but I need HELP!!

Unfortunately cats dont understand the concept of human ownership and their 'territories' are going to include several gardens. They are only doing what is natural and at least unlike dogs they bury their waste! As a cat owner I'd advise you visit the nearest pet store! They will have several products that are safe to put on the garden area to deter cats. I have used them in the past to train my cats not to use certain areas and they've usually worked well. You could also try citrus peelings. Orange peel scattered around the edges of the flower beds doesn't look too unsightly. I think you can even get lion 'poo' which we humans cant smell but cats with their superior sense of smell can, they are then frightened away. If you actually see the cat (or cats) in the garden, try spraying them with water. Use a water pistol or an empty spray bottle from a cleaning product filled with cold water. Most cats soon learn to stay away from that! Also try either dense ground cover plants or mulch the garden using sharp large gravel. It could look good and cats dont like walking on it. Dont be too paranoid about infection though, it's rare even for cat owners who are constantly handling cat litter to become infected. Cats normally bury their waste so unless your son is digging in the soil he's not likely to come into direct contact and good hygeine practises will take care of any accidental exposure. He'll be in more danger of coming into contact with dog waste, playing outside the garden if you have neighbours who allow their dogs to roam free or dont think they should pick up after them. Even with anti-fouling laws my neices children often have to have their shoes cleaned! Good luck!

cb- I'm not much for keeping my cat out of ANYTHING, but I did find a website that offers some tips you can try. I like the idea of creating a special "cat garden" with catnip, etc so they have a place to play and stay out of your garden. I also like the idea of planting types of plants that naturally deter cats. I don't like the idea of chemicals of any sort being used, in my humble opinion. Here's the website that offers some cat friendly solutions. http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-keep-cats-out-of-the-garden.htm Namaste-Anora

any kind of citrus will usually work. i've never met a cat that didn't have an immediate reaction of disgust to the smell.

You can buy harmless chemicals( Stay Away) to put out to keep them away in the pet section of the store. Or you can also use moth balls sprinkled in the flower bed. It may take a little harder work to stop them now that they (it) has already established the habit but I think if you really work on it for a week or so you'll succeed. Good Luck!

Have you tried moth balls? I know it sounds weird and you may not like those little white balls all around but if you are seriously desperate to find something I know this is what my mom did, and poof be gone all the cats headed to the neighbors house. I don't know what it was exactly in it but its something they don't like the smell of... We lived in a neighborhood where there were tons of stray cats running around and my mom was sick of them ruining her garden & flower beds. I would just be careful if you decide to go that route because they can be toxic and if you have a pet it may not be the safest... I read that you could put it in a can or something similar and pook holes in the top of a jar so to say and that would help too. You also have cayenne pepper too, I read this helps. The cats doesn't like the smell of it and it seems to keep them away. Goodluck on keeping them kitties away!!!!

There are many possible solutions to your problem. Try scattering orange and lemon peel or coffee grounds amongst the plants or look for a herb called Rue. There is also Coleus Canina, a plant that cats hate. There are also many chemical deterrents and electrical devices that you can buy. Check out www.petsmart.com for a wide range of products.