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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Cat annoying next door, what can I do?

20 replies

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 14:25

Just caught my neighbour, and she's not happy - apparently my cat (who doesn't go out a huge amount, but a few hours every couple of days, especially in the heat) is being a PITA.

There are a handful of cats in the area, so I cant guarantee its mine, but he is cheeky so I can imagine it. I know mine aren't crapping in her garden as they still use a litter tray indoors, but the other stuff.

Apparently he's getting in her house - through open windows etc. And climbed on her four month old baby. He's being a pest.

I have apologised. I don't want to keep them in, but what can I do?

Our last cat was poisoned so we didn't let these out until they were nearly two. The door is always open for them to return etc.

I'm really upset I've upset and annoyed her. I'm fraught anyway, and this has just made me feel worse.

OP posts:

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gamerchick · 21/08/2017 14:32

Have you told her to drench him when she catches him? She's going to have to frighten him in some way to keep him out. Or you could buy her some screens for her windows she he can't get in.

Maybe you'll have to keep him in, he could end up hurt if he does it to the wrong house.

MaybeDoctor · 21/08/2017 14:32

Climbed on her baby?

I think profuse and abject apologies are in order.

MaybeDoctor · 21/08/2017 14:34

Offering to buy/fit screens for her would be good, agree with previous poster.

XJerseyGirlX · 21/08/2017 14:36

Yeah I agree she will need to throw water over him so he doesn't want to go to her house anymore

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 14:38

Honestly @MaybeDoctor I apologised and apologised. I only caught her because I have building work going on and had to apologise for an idiot delivery driver blocking her drive. I asked why she didn't come and tell me before, and she said she didn't want to bother me, and cats are cats and I can't be expected to control them. I replied that as her neighbour I can do my best to keep the cats in now, that the works should be done this week (we have to have the doors open) and that after that he will be kept in.

I can't believe he did it. He is such a friendly daft cat, but never would have believed he would have gone into someone else's house.

@gamerchick I have told her not to shoo him nicely, but to drench him and push him back over the fence. I'm not sure what kind of screens there are? I think better will be to get myself a screen for the patio doors so we get some air, but they can't get out.

I am so upset now about it.

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MsMims · 21/08/2017 14:45

Please don't ask her to drench him and push him over the fence!!

A relatives cat died instantly when she slipped off a fence and broke her neck. It's just not necessary either, cats find a short squirt of water from a spray bottle just as offensive.

I have window restrictors to stop my cats getting out windows I don't want them to. Cheap, easy to fit and doesn't look obtrusive like a screen can sometimes. Additionally you could cat proof your garden so they have access to the outdoors but can't bother your neighbours, or a catio set up. Look on Pinterest for ideas.

MsMims · 21/08/2017 14:46

Meant to say you can also fit restrictors or ventilation locks to your patio doors.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 21/08/2017 14:49

To be honest, I'd ask for photographic evidence before you did anything too drastic.

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 14:49

@MsMims I have restrictors on the windows but didn't know you could get them for patio doors? I will also look for proofing my garden as well. Right now I want to put him in his cat box for the afternoon whilst the builder is here so at least I know he's safe.

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BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 14:54

@YetAnother, we live next door to each other in terraced housing, and have done for 6 years. She described my car and wasn't angry, she was upset. I fully believe her. We have two cats, but another she described wasn't mine. I often have six or seven in the garden so I know the neighbourhood is busy with them.

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ElizabethShaw · 21/08/2017 14:56

Could you put that fencing that slopes inwards along your joint fence, so he can't get over that side?

LuxuryDrinks · 21/08/2017 14:56

You can get net fence toppers to keep her in the garden.

LuxuryDrinks · 21/08/2017 14:58

You would have to fully enclose the garden, or she'll just go round it

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 14:58

I can't just do stuff to the middle fence, I'd have to do it to all the fences, as the way the gardens work, he'd just go round the back. I will look into it for the main garden, and replace the middle gate (two tiered garden) and net that maybe so he can't get out the bottom either.

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MaybeDoctor · 21/08/2017 14:59

Increasing the height of your fence with trellis, lined with bamboo screening, will do the trick.

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 15:05

Ok, I'm 5ft 4, and the fence is about six inches taller than me. How high do I need to go?

I will also ask the other side if I can put something on their garage side/roof to stop him climbing out that way too.

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/08/2017 15:29

Someone DH knew wanted to cat proof her garden but couldn't attach anything to one of the fences. To get around this she put the netting on posts in her own garden so it was still cat proofed but nothing was attached to the neighbour's fence.

BubbleAnimal · 21/08/2017 15:31

Thanks Pink. I think it's definitely something I've got to look into. Tbh we mainly let them out when it's hot, so the door can stay open, but I'm not expecting much more baking weather this year, so hopefully I have a few months to get it all sorted.

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BubbleAnimal · 22/08/2017 08:47

Just to update, I bought neighbour some chocolates, a new blanket for her baby, and some of the stuff for the garden to try and stop cats. Gave it to her last night, and chatted to her and her partner. It was a straw camels background scenario, lots of other stuff for both of us going on, and everything is fine. I'm still going to be more aware of the cats as much as I can, but everything is fine. I'll also look into more secure garden stuff.

Thank you everyone.

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XJerseyGirlX · 22/08/2017 12:49

Great update. Your neighbour sounds nice x

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