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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you've got a cat which hunts prolifically you should either

136 replies

ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 08:47

Keep it in or put a fucking bell on it's collar.

I've just seen a neighbours new cat leap from the ground and grab a goldfinch from one of my feeders. Yesterday I found 2 piles of feathers and the day before a dead sparrow on my doorstep. In 4 years of feeding I've never had a cat problem untill this new one arrived.

I'm going to have to stop feeding them, I feel like I'm luring them to their deaths. Sad as it sounds I'm gutted, feeding the birds is something I get immense pleasure from.

I'm really quite pissed off

OP posts:
southeastastra · 22/07/2010 08:56

agree - though i had to stop feeding the birds as i attracted far too many pigeons!

Galena · 22/07/2010 08:58

Maybe the neighbours aren't aware - if it doesn't leave the birdies for the owners to find, they might not know it's hunting. Perhaps you could pop round and mention it? They might be happy to put a bell on but not realise it's necessary.

I'm afraid a hunting cat is very obviously a cat used to being out and about and keeping it in would be cruel.

I can see why you're pissed off - I would be too. But before you stop feeding them, ask the neighbour if they'd mind belling the cat.

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 08:59

I don't really mind the pigeons but I try and avoid putting anything out that that the magpies like though they are so noisey!

I'm sat in my garden now on guard lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 09:01

I'm not really sure which neighbour it is, they all seem to have about 4 cats

I'll watch and see.

I might invest in a sonic scarer.

OP posts:
pjmama · 22/07/2010 09:01

Get one of those massive water pistols or a hosepipe and douse it whenever it comes in your garden.

loopyloops · 22/07/2010 09:03

Unfortunately it's not always that easy.

I have two cats. One hardly hunts (too dim, she catches the occasional insect). She is as docile a can be, doesn't mind a collar and would cope being inside all the time.

The other, on the other hand, is a killing machine. She won't wear a collar (so no hope of a bell), and even the vet said that it isn't worth it when he tried to get one on her and got quite seriously attacked. She loves being outside and goes mental if she's kept in at all. So, what is the solution for this cat?

Chil1234 · 22/07/2010 09:04

Put your feeders in much higher places..... If a cat can jump up and grab a goldfinch then the feeder is too low.

YABU to expect cats not to catch birds or to think that bells on collars prevents it happening.

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 09:08

My feeder are 7ft off the ground already and I'm only 5ft 4! Perhaps I need to buy a step ladder.

I know I am being a bit U but I'm seriously hacked off.

OP posts:
loopyloops · 22/07/2010 09:09

Our bird feeder is in the 2nd floor window, if that helps?

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 09:12

How do you attach them loopy ?

OP posts:
Dylanpsmummy · 22/07/2010 09:12

I have the same problem but not bothered by the neighbours cat catching the birds (Its what they do naturally)

what does annoy me is this neighbour coming storming over at the weekend to demand we move our feeder because she's sick of HER cats catching birds and bringing them into her house.

Have moved the feeders (don't like to upset the neighbours) but still feel it's very cheeky of her!

BaggedandTagged · 22/07/2010 09:17

Next time you see the cat, just squirt it with a super soaker. Then it wont come back.

It wont hurt the cat but the vast majority just HATE getting wet.

MortaIWombat · 22/07/2010 09:18

I don't blame you. Poor birds.

Doodleydoo · 22/07/2010 09:20

My beloved new cat (dd's present from my dsis - ) has a violent blue collar and a bell on it, that doesn't seem to present a problem for him and so far he has brought in a mouse, blue tit, 2 x frogs and a snail of which he has been most proud. Sadly only the blue tit made it as I accidentally squished the mouse when rescuing it, husband squished a frog, heard a crack when we threw the snail out into the garden (it was 11pm and we were tired apologies Mr Snail!) and I think one frog arrved dead. I am not particularly happy as we live in the countryside so it is inevitable but thought the bell would help creatures get away. Sadly I see more of it to come as he is only 4 months old so if he is this quick now there is going to be no stopping the little bugger.

Lancelottie · 22/07/2010 09:25
Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 09:26

Yes!

OMG it's a Cat.. SLIME away!

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 22/07/2010 09:28

How about putting the bird feeder away until winter? There's plenty of food around for them at the moment and, come autum/winter, there's less leaf cover so they might see the cat coming better....

Original poster
ArseHolio · 22/07/2010 09:33

If you feed birds you should feed them all year round. My feeders are always busiest during spring and early summer.

OP posts:
AlistairSim · 22/07/2010 09:41

Our neighbors cat only has three legs.

Sometimes he seems to forget and falls over when he tries to pounce.

loopyloops · 22/07/2010 10:16

ArseHolio - it's a dangly one, which I've tied to the top-opening window latch with lots of cotton so the window still closes.

DH was worried for a long time that birds would fly into the window. Only time has proven that they aren't actually that stupid!

Kaloki · 22/07/2010 10:22

My old housemate's cat used to hunt, and she tried bells round his neck, he somehow always used to lose or break them (usually within hours of putting them on)

Shutting him inside was never really an option either, as she had two other cats. One of whom was a big bruiser of a rescue cat, and if you shut the catflap he would bulldoze his way through it

NatalieJane · 22/07/2010 10:29

There is at least one that stupid, at our old house there was a perfect front on impact smear of a bird in flight on the window.

Had us laughing for a while that one (was at back of the house so if the bird would have been hurt it would have landed in the garden, no evidence of hurt bird so we thought it fine to laugh!)

bumpsoon · 22/07/2010 10:37

Can you not fill a supersoaker with water and when you see the cat in your garden ,spray it . The cat will soon get the idea it is unwelcome and you wont have done it any harm .

Ripeberry · 22/07/2010 10:43

My cat has a bell and if anything it seems to make her a better hunter as she has to move without jingling it.

Maybe put the feeder higher up?
I'm forever finding piles of feathers and bits of mouse stomachs on the back door mat but she can't go any further than the utility room at night.

I can't keep her locked up day and night, the only time the wildlife around here gets a break is when we put her in the cattery

SanctiMoanyArse · 22/07/2010 10:43

You should indeed palce a bella round it's neck, not all cats are suitable candidates for being an indoor cat (eg we take inc ats, often adults, that have been abused- only one or two at a time but often they have a shorter lifespan- and I think it would be cruel to introduce that suddenly)

I don't have issues with water pistold or hosepipies (if nott too close obv) either, if it deters unwanted cats from your garden.

Ours is belled though and we have been able to feed birds in our tiny garden for years and have nesting bluetits as well, he seems to have elarned not to bother.

Would obv recommend people purchase a safe cat collar though, current trend locally for ribbon - and - bell which is really unsafe and can lead to a cat hanging themselves.