Cats and foxes

[tangledyarn]

Bloody cat has refused to come in last night and tonight..I managed to get her in last night eventually by grabbing her but she's determined not to come in tonight. I was all set to call her bluff and make her stay out all night but then I remembered that we have foxes that come in the garden. Lo and behold when I went to the door there's a huge Fox in the garden so now I feel i've got to stay up and wait for her to come in..I can see her but she's prancing around chasing moths and wilfully ignoring any attempt to lure her.
Should I stay up and wait for her to deign me with her presence and should I ground her tommorow?

[thecatneuterer]

My cats mix happily with my foxes and the cats definitely have the upper hand. The foxes are really quite scared of the cats. There have been some rare instances of foxes attacking cats (kittens are a whole other story of course), but it really is rare. So I wouldn't worry on that score.

You need a cat flap that you can set to 'in only'.

I'm quite fond of this photo. They were both asking for food :)

[MurielWoods]

We have two cats who stay out all night playing with foxes. The cats will often take a little dust bath in the gutter (it's very gritty and dusty and they seem to love it) and the foxes sit and watch.

They will often play with the cubs while an older fox looks on

[tangledyarn]

Thanks that's reassuring. She's a very small young cat which worries me, I know that mostly cats and foxes tick along ok but i'm just worried she'll wind them up and I'd rather her be in overnight in case she wonders to a road as well.
She came in at about 1, now how to make sure I don't have to do the same thing tonight!

[tangledyarn]

No catflap..we rent and have patio doors so it'd be really expensive to fit one although I need my sleep so might have to look into it again.

[ovumahead]

Our cats are fine with foxes too. They're only a year old and one is still kitten sized. The foxes look scared when they see the cats! It's quite funny really
I wouldn't worry about it.

[patienceisvirtuous]

Could you put her out before food then call her back for supper (by bashing bowl/shaking dreamies etc)

Works for me...

[ClaudiaNaughton]

I've twice seen our young cat chase away a large fox on patio. Vet told me they often share territory but often have set times to avoid each other.

[tangledyarn]

Sadly the food thing doesn't work..she's only 10 months and more motivated by play than food mostly. It sounds like I'm worrying unnecessarily so i'll try and get her in early and if not she'll just have to stay out! She's probably more motivated to be out at the moment as i've recently taken in a stray and she's not keen so I think I feel a bit guilty.

[Olinguito]

I wouldn't risk it personally. I make sure my cat is locked in well before it gets dark and all those enticing moths come out! It seems risky to me, especially if you don't have a cat flap and so the cat can't run into safety if she needs to.

[RubbishMantra]

Catflaps can be put into the outside wall, with a tunnel system.

[tangledyarn]

Don't think the landlord will go for a hole in the wall. Will try and lure her in earlier tonight..she's shattered after her night on the tiles so here's hoping