Is there anything you can do about other cats and your new to outside cat?

[Moln]

My cat is only small and has been going outside for about a month now. To start with he was too small to jump up on the wall and go anywhere else, but he's figured out now that he can scale the trampoline net and get out this way.

However since he's been out there a marked increase in the number of cat visitors to our garden (is this normal?) and two in particular are hostile towards my guy. One particular is about four times his size and just came in, my cat approached him and the big cat jumped for him hissing and yowling.

Should I keep him in for longer? He's constantly badgering to go out though but he is about 4.5 to 5 months.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Has he been neutered, vaccinated & microchipped?.

We had other cats looking through our kitchen window when we moved here, they are curious bout other cats & there's little groups of cats who are friendly with each other.

If he's small I think I'd move the trampoline so he can't get out of the garden. I appreciate the trampoline weighs a ton.

I'm just worried he's small & those adult males don't hold back in fights.

[Moln]

Yes to all three.

I'll move the trampoline today, but all this is happening in our garden. I squirted giant cat with a water pistol and he scarpered. My kitten came in afterwards and then was looking to go out again after less than 20

Never seen either of the two cats before either - well that's not strictly true, giant cat has been seeing out the front - never in the back though

Having a cat is stressful!!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Your doing the right thing with the water pistol. They'll sort out a hierarchy between themselves.

It is stressful. The first time ours had a fight I ran out shrieking "mommys coming cats name", the neighbours were out there

[cozietoesie]

Very stressful.

My outside going cats have been a succession of alphas and Siamese. (Luckily the moggies were all peaceable sorts deep down so while they wouldn't take any nonsense, they weren't ones to start a fight.)

Only things I found that worked were a water pistol and a dog sitting outside. (I appreciate that that latter is a step too far for most people.) Otherwise, I've let them work it out themselves, going out to intervene if there's an appalling noise.

[Moln]

Don't have a dog but I'll keep the water pistol to hand.

I'm so worried about his size making him easy target (I know he'll grow - though not knowing his mother's size I can't be sure to what size, and I don't know what size an average cat is at his age)

He's very peaceable too (in this scenarios he's been looking at the other cats snarling etc and but not reciprocating noises, he approached Giant Cat today with his head down and ears right back - look subservient to me. White cat (the non giant one) had him trapped earlier (as in my cat wouldn't move around him to get away) he just sat silently looking around whilst White Cat stared him down

I'm going to have to brush up on cat body language!!

[cozietoesie]

I'm less worried about him now than when he gets a bit bigger and might decide to try out his muscles - hopefully, he'll already be operating as a wingman to the big boys so will already be in deference/friendship mode and will make a seamless transition.

Has he been neutered yet?

[Moln]

Yes he was neutered three weeks ago

[munchkin2902]

I have a really small boy too. He's two and a half now and 3 and a half kilos. I've noticed he is very placid when it comes to other cats - it's like he knows it's not worth it, he just lies down! Except when he's play fighting with his very much bigger brother when he jumps on his head. But you'll probably find your boy will just be submissive and the other cat will lose interest in fighting.

[Moln]

Hopefully they will elfo - I'd hate for our back garden to not be his territory

I don't remember have this level of worry over my actual children!!

[cozietoesie]

Good - no raging hormones then.

(To me, it sounds as if the other cats are starting to accept him.)

[Moln]

Does it? Know very little about cat behaviour (learning though)

He wanted to go back out again, and after a while I saw Giant Cat walking around the perimeter of the back garden wall, and my little guy following him.

[cozietoesie]

Likely operating as a wingman then. The little guy is learning.