Tom Cat Intruder

[BetweenDogandWolf]

We've had a problem with a tom coming in through the cat flap and spraying the last week. I find a few drops here and there and although there's not much of it it really stinks. Final straw was today when he pissed over my coat which I'd left hanging off the bottom of the stairs to dry off after getting caught in the rain.
Tonight I trapped the prime suspect by putting the cat flap on in only. My three peeped from the stairs and didn't do anything. I threw 3 pints of water over him before letting him out. He growled and hissed at me but hope it's put him off a bit.

[cozietoesie]

A microchip cat flap is needed. Sureflap is the one used by most posters who have one. That will read the microchips of your 3 and only allow them in. Not cheap (about £70 online) but well worth it for those who use them.

[cozietoesie]

\link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/SureFlap-Ltd-Microchip-Door--White/dp/B003EGIM3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399492817&sr=8-1&keywords=cat%20flap%20sureflap%5CHere%27s%7D&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 the thing on Amazon but check prices around the net.

[BetweenDogandWolf]

I've been thinking about that but my eldest is around 20 -she turned up as a stray with a 15 year old microchip in about 5 years ago and the previous owners couldn't be traced so I don't know if we could take over the chip. Just realised typing this that I don't know how they work though! Will investigate!

[cozietoesie]

If the chip is supported, you don't need to take it over in a documented way - the flap is taught to 'learn' it - you do that with each of them.

Remember that you have no idea whether there is indeed only one tom coming in or whether your house is actually Party Central for the cat neighbourhood when you're not there. It's worth investigating for happier cats of your own, no food being nicked, and no damage/spraying.

[BetweenDogandWolf]

Thanks for the link cozietoesie. Will look into it.

[BetweenDogandWolf]

I know it's not just the tom coming in - we have 3 regular visitors: next door's young cat who comes in to play with our youngster, an old massive neutered boy who comes in for shelter (and lets the youngster chew his ears) and a cat from up the road who I feel sorry for because she is very underweight and has litter after litter. They aren't really a problem but the tom is. I do realise that if we get rid of him there could be another one though.

[cozietoesie]

Another one - or twenty-one! I'd check out a chip flap.

[BetweenDogandWolf]

Checked out the link and it does sound like a good solution. Yes, sometimes I think our house is a bit of a cat magnet!

[Innermagic]

Once read a cat psychology book and when it came to cat flaps it said something along the lines of....imagine you are going to bed for the night but have left the front door open, throughout the night several strangers (human) enter your property have a look around and help themselves to the contents of your fridge....you would be horrified and scared at this well that how you cars feel!

[Innermagic]

Cats not cars lol

[Fluffycloudland77]

You threw 3 pints of water over a cat?.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Microchip cat flap. We had a problem with intruders menacing our two small, shy cats and it was the only solution. £70 isn't much to pay for peace of mind, calmer cats and a much lower catfood bill

[BetweenDogandWolf]

Fluffycloudland I wasn't trying to hurt him, just put him off coming back. But yes, I think the microchip flap is a better solution!

[BetweenDogandWolf]

Innermagic that's interesting. I've felt sorry for cats that don't have flaps but there's definatw disadvantages to normal cat flaps too.

[BetweenDogandWolf]

Oh and a fair bit of the 3 pints missed!