My old man Russian Blue cat (name Boo) is nearly dead from old age. We plan on burying him in the yard, and need to know what would be better to keep wild animals/other cats/etc. from digging the remains. Mothballs or lime or....something else? SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY, flames and goof offs will be marked as spam and reported as such. Thank you.
2007-09-04 15:16:44 · 22 answers · asked by ffxi_minizilla 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you to all who have so far answered. Yes, we (my family and I) are hurting. Boo is nearly nine years old, so he's a bit below the average for his breed, but he's had issues his whole life (with weight and with respiratory problems as well). I know I'll miss his broken-motor purring, and him bringing us mice and birds for gifts.
On a happier note, our female cat (we affectionately call her a tramp) recently has her last litter, so we have two new kittens, one a gray and white Husky look-a-like and one a calico. It's kind of weird. The kittens, young as they are (2 months) KNOW "Uncle" Boo is sick. They are so subdued around him.
2007-09-04 15:48:04 · update #1
Boo didn't make it through the night last night. He passed away peacefully. Thank you to all who showed compassion and respect for him, and for my family. As all the answers were top notch, I find myself unable to choose a "best"answer. They were ALL the best. As such, I will let it go to a vote. Again, thank you and God bless you all.
Mini
2007-09-05 05:37:59 · update #2
Sorry to hear of your impending loss. I never used any chemical means to repel scavengers. I cover the area of the grave with large, heavy rocks. You can even plant some decorative plants between them to make it look pretty for him. Again, I'm sorry.
2007-09-04 15:24:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. My 14 yr old Siamese, Cody, died last night. I wrapped him in a towel, put him into a plastic garbage bag (w/ties), and dug a hole by the side of my driveway. Since I live on a limestone hill, with lots of Oak tree roots, rocks, etc, I can't bury anything very deep.......so......After I covered the sack with dirt, I made a wall around the "grave" and used decorative garden stones (Home Depot) to make a 3 tiered wall around the grave. They're very heavy, and I filled the inside of the perimeter with a LOT of Miracle Grow potting mix, and planted flowers on top. There's enough dirt and plant life there, to keep anything from smelling the "remains", and the stones are too heavy for an animal to move easily. You could use the mothballs, but if something did dig there, the mothballs would kill them, if they ate any! Good luck....and I'm really sorry about your cat.
2007-09-04 15:38:34 · answer #2 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry to hear about Boo. Build or buy a strong wooden box and bury him 2-3 feet deep. You have to out-smart and out-work the other animals. If you are in the woods, stronger measures may be needed. I have not had good experience with mothballs as a deterrent with feral cats in my neighborhood for anything. Lime probably hurts after the fact. I heard that plastic silverware (forks and knives) buried under the surface will deter digging cats.
I have buried a couple of animals in my back-yard with no box and nothing but a marker, and had no disturbance from wildlife. We live in a rural area.
Maybe buy a big bottle of spray (like coyote urine or cat deterrent) and use it in the area until you're sure nothing is bothering it.
2007-09-04 15:34:34 · answer #3 · answered by chuckyoufarley 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to read of your impending loss. I am sure you have many good memories, and going from old age is a preferred way to go, considering the alternatives.
I have several buried out back, and no animals have bothered the graves although I do not live in a truly wild area. They are buried at least several feet below the surface.
However, have you considered cremation? Then the ashes can be spread in an appropriate manner.
2007-09-04 15:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by cat lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry for your loss. Place him in a small box, and bury him as deep as you can. I usually place bricks or some heavy rocks over the graves, but if you bury him deep enough it should keep any nosy dogs or anything from smelling it.
Maybe go out and buy some potted marigolds or other flowers and place them over the grave. Granted it's a little late in the year and they probably won't bloom too much longer, they may help cover any odor other animals would pick up on, plus they'd be a nice touch I think.
2007-09-04 16:59:58 · answer #5 · answered by EMT Girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry for your impending loss. Wrap her in a sheet or plastic. If you dig the hole deep enough the smell will not attract other animals. However, if you can only dig so deep, the add lime and cover the grave with large rocks. The Harriet Carter on-line catalog has an inexpensive headstone for about $15 that my stepmother told me about. Luckily we were able to bury my dog in a deep enough hole with a tractor that I do not have to worry about her up on the hill and am able to visit with her.
2007-09-04 15:45:16 · answer #6 · answered by nashniki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honey, I am so sorry. I lost my best cat a year ago. I have two now, but it isn't the same. I think if you dig a hole big and deep enough, nothing will bother Boo. I just put Ole Sammie in a towel in a cardboard (shoe) box and nothing as bothered him...even out in the country. Again, I'm very sorry to hear about Boo. Give him a smooch for me.
2007-09-04 15:38:52 · answer #7 · answered by red 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My neighbor has two dogs and one cat buried in her yard. She has only had once instance where an animal tried digging. What she was told to keep other animals away was put down some rose bush clippings because the thorns will poke anyone, or thing trying to dig up the remains.
2007-09-04 15:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by j231977 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about your upcoming loss. I lost my cat to old age a year ago on Valentine's Day. You can have your cat cremated if you do not want to worry about having Boo dug up by other animals. Get in touch with your vet and get information.
The house we bought 9 yrs ago, a neighbor told us about the former owner burying their pet cat under a rose bush where it liked to lay, and I can tell you that no other animal has dug in that area. In fact, my indoor/outdoor cat likes to lay in the same area.
Good luck.
2007-09-04 15:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by mjrcox 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor Boo, I'm sorry he's in his final days. We have buried our animals at least four feet deep, wrapped in a towel, then planted a flowering bush in the soft earth to remember them by. Once the shrub is in place, it will deter other animals. We have never had an issue. Take care...
2007-09-04 15:28:23 · answer #10 · answered by i_8_the_canary 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bury him two feet down, that's all you need to do. It'll be deep enough to not have to worry about anything digging for him.
You can also get some flagstones (flat rocks) and put that over the area, but 24 inches down is more than enough.
2007-09-04 15:26:40 · answer #11 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋