Neighbours cat

[Gatorade]

I am having a bit of an issue with my neighbours cat.

I am not a cat lover (I am allergic to them) but I have nothing against them in general but this one is causing me problems!

My neighbours got a new cat about 4 months ago and it has always explored my garden, which I have no problem with at all. The problem is that since I have been leaving my windows open (even a little bit, he seems to be able to push the window open further) in the warmer weather the cat has been coming into my house. Again, despite my allergy this wouldn't normally be a problem (I would just shoo him out) but I have a 3 month old DD.

I have now twice found the cat in my daughters cot. The first time I assumed he had climbed in through her window (onto a flat roof and then in) as the door was closed. She wasn't in the cot at the time so I simply changed the bedding and made sure her window is always closed. However, this morning I went into her room and the cat was lying across her body asleep (not on her head luckily). This has worried me a bit.

As far as I can see my options are:

1: Buy a cat net for my DD's cot (but what about when she is playing on her baby gym, elsewhere in the house etc, while she is not mobile I sometimes potter around the house doing bits and pieces while she is playing and I don't really want to have to sit and watch her all of the time.)

2: Keep all the windows shut (except for any unaccessible upstairs ones) and maybe buy a couple of air con units (this seems rather expensive, and I quite like the fresh air with open windows.)

3: Speak to the cat owners and see if they can do something (but I don't want the poor cat to be locked up when he has been used to roaming around freely).

So WWYD? Anybody overcome a similar problem?

[SiSiTD]

I do feel for you. My mum is chronically allergic to cats and I can imagine nothing worse than finding a cat in your baby's cot.

As a cat owner I would be mortified to learn my cat was causing a problem. You can buy cat repellent - put it around any doors or windows, you could try fixing netting to the open window to stop the cat coming in. Try spraying the cat with water when they are in your house - I do this to keep my own cat in line.

You could try speaking to the cat owner. You can see what they suggest - there may be something that their cat is terrified of that you could place in your garden. However, I for one would never dream of keeping my cat inside - for both my sanity and the soft furnishing in my house, however

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Could you buy a catch for window so it will stay open a bit but not enough to let cat in? (although I know cats have ability to squash themselves into a 2 inch wide space at drop of a hat)

[Gatorade]

Thanks SiSiTD, I like the idea of the cat repellent, I guess I will have to check its not toxic for my DD or my toddler niece (not that she should be hanging out around open windows) I will do some research. I think I will have a chat with my neighbour....hopefully the cat has a random fear of some thing that I could use in my garden. Does the water thing work quite well? I have heard of that before, do you think I should check that the cat owner is happy for me to squirt it with water before I go down that route?

Will also look into the catch idea as well FanjoForTheMammaries, no more wide open windows for us I think!

[kingprawntikka]

Could you buy an insect mesh type insert for your open windows. I'm not explaining it very well , but when we stay abroad they often have them to let the air in but keep mosquitoes out.

[kingprawntikka]

Search for Mosquito mesh on Amazon and you'll see what I mean!

[klaxon]

Water pistol is the way to go.

[Gatorade]

Thanks everyone, tomorrow I'm going to arm myself with water pistols and nets (for the windows, not to trap poor cat!)

Do you think I should ask permission from the owner before I 'water' their cat?!

[topknob]

No, I would have no issue with anyone watering my cats :) it is humane and doesn't hurt them but gets the message across :)

[daisychain2]

Oh my god! Not nice for you or your little family!!! Jayes fluid diluted and brushed on your outside window sills and paths might do the trick! I had my neighbours cat pooing all over my lovely new garden that my hubby had spent hours on!!! Few brushes of jayes fluid (I think that's how it's spelt!!) on the paths and sills did the trick! :-)

[dondon33]

I'll second the Jeyes fluid it really works.
I have a cat but I don't think I would be as calm as you are if I found another lying in my childs cot :)
Maybe speak to the neighbour and tell them what you plan to do, under the circs I'm sure they won't mind if their kitty comes home soaking, I wouldn't.

[Jux]

I own 3 cats, and while I would be mortified and remorseful that one of them was doing this, I don't know what I could do to stop it.

I would have no objection to you using a water pistol, orange peel etc to discourage it. Anything that didn't actually harm the cat would be fine by me.

One of my cats used to sleep in dd's cot. Sometimes she used to drape herself around her head and purr. It's very comforting (another of my cats did that to me habitually), and dd loved it. Having a cat by you, being all warm and furry is very calming, particularly if they are purring too.

No harm came to dd at all. It is unlikely to lie on her face. I'm only telling you this so you don't get too anxious about it. I do understand that you don't like it. Just wanting to reassure you a bit.

[Gatorade]

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I had a chat with the cat's owner (who was mortified Jux!) and they said they were fine with me 'watering' their cat, I am armed with a water pistol (gentle firing one, don't want to hurt the poor thing with a super soaker!) but given the weather we have had I haven't had to use it yet as the cat has been cowering indoors in its own house.

[Jux]

Thanks for the update.