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Original poster

I’ve got a cat on my bed and I don’t own a cat

36 replies

Partey · 12/07/2021 21:33

I know I’m probably making a rod for my own back!

Neighbours got 2 cats. Closely followed by a husky. The husky terrorises the cats. I’m not even sure they’re allowed in the house anymore but if they make it inside they’re quickly chased out by the bloody dog.

They’ve both lost weight. I’ve been feeding them. I do have a dog but he’s v tolerant. One cat is more confident than the other and tonight it darted inside while I was putting the bin out.

Am I doing the right thing? He’s curled up with my dog as we speak

OP posts:

30degreesandmeltinghere · 12/07/2021 21:34

Ime dcats choose their own refuge...

dementedpixie · 12/07/2021 21:36

A local cat came in the sliding patio door today, ate some of my cats food and peed in the litter before he got herded out again

I’ve got a cat on my bed and I don’t own a cat

Cattitudes · 12/07/2021 21:38

We got ours the same way. Maybe talk to the neighbours and discuss the situation, ours were happy for us to adopt them now that they were beyond cute kitten stage and into incest with all equipment still intact

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Cats

RazzleTits · 12/07/2021 21:41

Congratulations you now have a cat... very similar op, our neighbours let their cat fend for himself, he’s constantly out in all weathers and goes scarily skinny when we don’t feed him. They say cats choose their owners, he stalks us at every opportunity. We bring him in when it’s super cold and he’s been living in the summer house for years. Would have him full time but we have a dog who wouldn’t tolerate him in the house full time. You are a good person, he’s obviously looking for refuge like pp said.

MeowPurr · 12/07/2021 21:43

Lovely! I love a cat visitor. My current cat won't allow it though. He doesn't even let other cats on our driveway.

Ihavenoidea · 12/07/2021 21:44

Cats are free spirits and if they receive no love from your next door neighbour, and are being persecuted by the dog, I don't blame them for moving out. If they are hungry and no effort is being made by your neighbour to ensure they can eat safely without the dog chasing them, I'd have no qualms about feeding them. If you're happy to let them slink into your home when they need to, then good for you!

Original poster

Partey · 12/07/2021 21:46

I’m gonna get some food tomorrow and ask if they’ve had any flea treatment. I’d guess not although I have checked him over.

It’s his brother I’m more concerned about. He’s much more timid. He will just about come into garden for treats. The confident one is a master hunter, leaves mice tails all over the road. I removed a huge live blackbird chick from his mouth last week. I’ve not seen the more timid one for a while.

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 12/07/2021 21:47

If the cat feels safe hopefully he'll stay. Hopefully the other cat follows suit

BarbaraofSeville · 12/07/2021 21:51

@Cattitudes

This. The cat that is currently on my lap was acquired in similar circumstances about 13 years ago. She came into our house to escape a big dog and a small child. I went to tell them their cat was never out of our house and they said 'you can have her if you like, we want rid of her anyway'

tomorrowalready · 13/07/2021 03:45

There is a very big husky dog living in an upstairs flat next door. The owners let it out to go down the fire escape and into the garden by itself. My cat and neighbour's cat now have to check if it is there before going out into our shared garden, there is only a low fence between the gardens and we have seen it chasing them before, I suspect that it caused a sprained foot injury to mine a few weeks ago. The dog's head is as big as my cat and strangely the same colour - ginger. I can hardly think of a more unsuitable dog for an upstairs small flat but it has been there months.

I have also had visiting cats, I was trying to find an owner for a stray tabby last week but it has disappeared again. My neighbours comes in in search of extra food and another cat that used to just walk through the back garden made a surprise visit to my living room yesterday when the windows were open for fresh air. sometimes I do feel a bit beseiged.

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 13/07/2021 04:00

Pretty sure you own a cat now! We acquired ours in similar circumstances. We don’t like cats, and I’m allergic but once they’ve moved in it’s more or less a fait accompli!

Losttheequipment · 13/07/2021 04:01

Can’t blame it really, I wouldn’t want to live with a husky. There’s a reason they are supposed to be running across the snow for hours on end. I hope you can entice the brother in for an easier life.

Sweetpea1532 · 13/07/2021 04:17

I want a cat that isn't mine sitting on my lap, too!

sashh · 13/07/2021 04:21

You have things the wrong way round, Your visitor is inspecting your home to see if it is suitable, the bed is comfy and the human slave will provide adequate nutrition.

You have not got a cat, the cat has selected its new home.

PurpleSapphire · 13/07/2021 04:23

Have they had the dog long? Different perspective here. I had 3 cats, the eldest of which was very timid but she always got used to a new addition. I had a new kitten, older cat had her usual strop and would only come back for food, it would have been fine in a few weeks but my neighbour saw the cat was in her garden more and started feeding her, I asked her not to as it was just encouraging her not to come home. My neighbour ignored me and carried on feeding her but wouldn't let my cat in her house as she was allergic to cats! My cat ended up living in her garden because she interfered when I had asked her not to. I think you should talk to your neighbour really if you dont know what the situation is, some cats are just naturally thin, the difference in size of mine is huge and they are fed exactly the same, the little one will jump on counters and try to steal food as i'm dishing it up despite having a dish full of biscuits to pick at along with his wet food, he isnt starving he's just after something better! Please ask the owner first, dont just take someone's pet if you dont know for certain they're being mistreated.

CupoTeap · 13/07/2021 05:27

I want to be adopted by a cat!

Saltyslug · 13/07/2021 05:33

Is it worth chatting to the neighbour who owns the dog and letting them know that their cats have taken to visiting you and you’re Ok with this

Billandben444 · 13/07/2021 05:49

I'd talk to the neighbour and let them know what's going on - you may find they're relieved he's ok or a bit pissed and think you're 'poaching' him. Cats choose where they live and it sounds as though he reckons your home passes muster! Ask if he's chipped and get the details changed (if they're amicable to him doing a bunk) and perhaps look into pet insurance. All this is only relevant until he finds a better place to move into and he could become a Six-Dinner-Sid as a stepping stone to more luxury accommodation - congratulations, it looks as though he's adopted you!

Cattitudes · 13/07/2021 06:38

Although PurpleSapphire a kitten is very different to a Husky which has a very high prey drive and as a cat slave I would not get one because it isn't likely to turn out well. There are far more suitable dog breeds to choose when you know you have a cat. Obviously some Huskys will get on fine with cats but as a general rule it wasn't the most sensible choice. The cat though might just see OP as a stepping stone to a garden further away. Our neighbours moved a few months after they handed over the cats (with the dog) so the cats didn't feel the need to move on further, we also had a good boundary which the cats could get across but the dog couldn't. These cats were actually malnourished and stealing bread out of our hands not just a bit skinny. Although they wouldn't say no to a tasty bit of leftover tuna they are completely different now. I do agree that there needs to be a discussion with the neighbour and an amicable solution reached.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 13/07/2021 06:46

I came home from work last week to find my cat and the neighbours cat chasing each other round the house (playing) like silly buggers.
Congratulations on your new cat!!

Original poster

Partey · 13/07/2021 07:18

I have spoken to the neighbour before. She told me they’d lost weight as the dog chases them. She also just laughed when I said they came in search of food.

Confident cat wanted out after an hour last night anyway. He lay with the dog for a snooze, had a good clean and then booped the dog on the head on his way out

OP posts:

SCMocha · 13/07/2021 07:42

I keep having a neighbour's cat come into my flat, and I don't want him to! I don't think the neighbour gives him much attention. I'm happy to talk to the cat outside and be friendly to it, but it's decided it wants to come inside, and it's to the point I can't leave any doors open now as it's worked out how to get over balconies, obstacles etc! He's scratchy and I don't want the risk of him peeing inside.

So you're lucky that at least your visitor seems to be a nice cat that you don't mind. I don't know how to stop mine!!

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/07/2021 07:46

dementedpixie

A local cat came in the sliding patio door today, ate some of my cats food and peed in the litter “

He did wear a beautiful white shirt for the occasion though
I’d be sorely tempted to order a bow tie for his next visit. What a handsome chap.

Billandben444 · 13/07/2021 08:20

My daughter had 2 cats. One was a homebody and a scaredy-cat but the other used to go out into the fields behind her house and become a tiger before returning for his dinner each night. When they had a For Sale sign erected, a neighbour 3 doors up asked if they could keep the tiger and sent her a picture of him curled up on her bed with their greyhound where he used to sleep every day after they gave him his (second) breakfast. What a tart!

Original poster

Partey · 13/07/2021 08:40

Here he is, licking his lips after breakfast of roast chicken. No doubt he will bugger off shortly

OP posts:

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