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An outdoor fish pond is a major feature of a garden and will dramatically enhance any outdoor setting. Perhaps you’ve even contemplated putting one in your own back yard. But you’ve been hesitant because you’re not sure what to do about all the neighbourhood cats. After all, you reason, cats prey on fish. And if you put in a fish pond, then you are going to be saving all the local cat owners from having to buy food for their feline friends. They’ll be eating over at your place. Is there anything, then, that can be done to keep the cats way from your fish pond?
Happily, there is. Although many cats are naturally drawn to fish that are seen swimming near the surface of a pond, often they are happy to just watch, being as they are mesmerized by the movements of the fish through the water. That having been said, though, there are those cats who will do more than just indulge their eyes. Often the floating leaves of water lilies will offer some protection for the fish from predatory cats. This, however, somewhat defeats the purpose of having a fish pond in the first place. After all it would be nice to be able to actually see the fish.
Remember that cats hate the water – just try bathing one. So your best protection is to take advantage of this by creating an edging towards the water of trailing plants and leaves. By ensuring that no cat can get an even footing you will be doing much to deter any puss from coming too close to the edge of the pond.
To make a soft edge around a pool, lay a bed of soft wire in mortar below flat edging stones around the perimeter of the pool. Allow the wire to overhang into the water by about six inches. This will provide a support for trailing plants. Once such plants are established they will provide a cover for the wire strip. Any moggy who comes too close now will find his paws falling into some most unwelcome water. This should be all the encouragement he needs to make himself scarce.
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