Agoraphobic cat and issues with neighbour cat

[Aquiver]

Hi,

We moved house in August with our 10-year old, previously rescue moggy. We were so excited about the move as we now have a bigger garden (for the cat to enjoy!).

Things were fine for the first week or so, with DCat enjoying the garden.

Sadly we hadn't bargained on our garden being the territory of a local, huge male Bengal cat who has taken to terrorising our DCat :( so much so that our cat now refuses to go outside on his own (he only ventured out when DH or I are outside and then comes straight back in with us). We noticed that after the first week, DCat had got into a fight and been bitten by another cat. Since then he has stayed indoors (and we have had to maintain a cat litter tray etc as he now refuses to toilet outside). We have also kept the Feliways etc installed in the house.

The other cat is huge and has taken to peering through/trying to climb through DCat's cat flap and screaming at him on a daily basis (not good at 6am in the morning!).

We've tried to spray the other cat with water / chuck foam balls at him etc but he is too quick and it does not seem to scare him. Our vet suggested that our DCat will eventually learn to recognise the other cat's patterns and will 'timeshare' the garden - but how will this happen if he is too scared to go outside?

It's just so sad for our poor boy. He has never been v sociable but loved being outdoors and his whole personality has changed - he must be so bored being stuck inside. The Bengal does not belong to immediate neighbours (they had warned us if it being a bully when we moved in!) - not sure who owns it.

Is there any way we can help him? We feel so guilty about moving him and wish we could help him regain his confidence.

[Aquiver]

Oh sorry that was so long!

Ought to also add that DCat is also being monitored for cystisis (he had been drinking more water etc) so has had a blood test and urine test recently - awaiting results. Realise that this may also be a cause / result of stress for him.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

We've just got a microchip cat flap for our new rescue cat due to a big Tom coming in and terrorising her. It's worked a treat, would highly recommend.
It will at least mean that he's safe in his own home?

[Aquiver]

Hi Nacho - yes, we have a microchip one too, programmed so only DCat can enter.

Unfortunately the other cat is such a bully that he still slams his head against the flap (trying to get in) and shrieks at DCat through the clear plastic - horrible!

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Your poor cat
Unfortunately I have no advice then, although I did consider hiding in the downstairs loo opposite the cat flap so I could scare the crap out of the Tom, making him not want to come back.
Good luck with it, sounds awful for your cat to have to deal with this.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I would put cat proof fencing up around the garden to stop the Bengal entering the garden.

At least your cat can have some peace then.

That Bengal doesn't sound like he's going to give up.

[NotAPuffin]

Definitely cat proof fencing. It's the only option really.

[Aquiver]

Thanks Puffin and Cloudy - yes, I think we will have to investigate cat proof fencing.

It is just heartbreaking - DCat loved spending the day just snoozing on the neighbour's shed (exactly as he did at our old house), but now he's living like a prisoner . I know it's not on to hate someone's pet and he's just exhibiting his natural instincts, but I am beginning to despise the other cat and feel so guilty for putting our poor DCat in this situation.