Cat being picked on

[RosieandFin]

Hi, we have a 7 month old kitten who was let outside for the first time about a week ago. So far he has only ventured out into the back garden and seems very wary/nervous. Twice now a local cat has chased him inside and today cornered him and attacked him. Any ideas of anything we can do? I've never had a cat before so have no idea. I'm assuming this cat is trying to assert his authority/claim his territory? Our kitten only goes out during the day. Thanks in advance.

[dementedpixie]

Can you go out with him?

[RosieandFin]

He's in and out all day so it would be hard to go out with him every time and he seems to enjoy being in the garden so it feels a bit mean to keep him in. We have a dog which will go out with him occasionally and the kitten seems more confident when he's with the dog. He ventures further down the garden with him. When it first happened our kitten stayed inside for a day and was scared to go out, peering through the cat flap as though he was looking for the other cat but now even though it's happened a few times he will still go out. I just wondered if there was any kind of deterrent to keep this cat away or is it something that will sort itself out over time?

[dementedpixie]

Do you not have a microchip catflap and that would prevent the other cat from getting in?

[RosieandFin]

Yeah we have a microchip cat flap when I say he chased him inside I meant our cat ran in and the other cat was outside the door.

[TrainspottingWelsh]

Can you try and figure out what this other cats route & timetable is and then avoid the times he passes near your garden?

[dementedpixie]

Could you have a water sprayer bottle and if you see the cat in the garden or its outside the door you can spray it to discourage it from coming in the garden

[RosieandFin]

Thanks for the advice. I have noticed that the other cat seems to be about a bit some mornings and it was early afternoon when he chased him last so I will keep him in for the time being around those times. A water pistol is also a good idea. I have kept him in today as I'm going to be out for most of the day, so from tomorrow I'll try to work around the other cats routine.

[Thefaceofboe]

Hi. We had a similar problem with a local cat. When the cat came in our garden we sprayed it with water and it ran off. Haven’t seen him since I don’t know if it bothers our kittens when they’re outside our garden though.