Polytunnel and cats

[ksia]

Our polytunnel is up and finished (it's great!), problem is as we were admiring it one of our cats came up and starting scratching on the plastic!!!
You can imagine our reaction!
Anyone else have touble with cats?
Or chickens? Our hens are free range, they've been locked up while we put the plastic on today so they'll be out and about tomorrow!
I'm going to try to keep all the animals out, with gated fence door kind of thing, but I'm worried about the exterior of the poly.
Any animal tips?
Thanks

[ksia]

[Jeanbean]

Not me personally but another plotholder with a large poly tunnel is suffering with this problem. We have noticed so many cats roaming the plots recently and it looks as if one or some of them are using his poly tunnel as a scratching post. I don't know if he has had any luck with stopping them. Next time I see him I'll ask.

[lewic]

My sister's two cats used to sleep on top of their polytunnel, and clawed holes in it despite being getting a regular soaking with the garden hose. They now have a greenhouse, so the cats sleep inside with the veg now.

My only suggestion would be distraction - perhaps a bigger better scratching post elsewhere? But I guess a polytunnel cover might provide a uniquely satisfying scratching experience, like kitty bubble-wrap!

[ksia]

Thanks for your replies.
I can only think of carefully monitoring to start with. The poor cat jumped when we shouted at him, so hopefully he'll figure out the link!
Problem is I've always found it sweet that they "want" to garden with me. It's always funny (and scary) having one on the greenhouse roof watching me!

[goodlife]

When my tunnel was new..some cats and fox did take interest but it didn't last long. Cat's did manage to put claws through in few places.
I've noticed some gardeners on allotment have put of temporary chicken wire 'fence' around their tunnels that is leaning outwards, thus preventing cats getting on tunnel.