Cat CFuckery

[SmileEachDay]

Next doors cat keeps jumping in through my bedroom window at night. It then runs downstairs and tries to get back out through my kitchen window.

My kitchen window is not open, so the bloody thing runs around in a panic. So far it has knocked two plant pots off the windowsill and has woken me up about a million times.

I told next door. They sort of shrugged and indicated that they couldn’t really do anything.

I like having my bedroom window open. I love cats. I quite like my neighbours - although the man is a bit mean to the woman, but that’s a separate issue. I also like sleeping.

Argh.

Pigeon spikes? A bit mean, but I think the cat would see them and avoid rather than get spiked. Usually, they do look before they leap. IMHO though, your problem is CF neighbours, not CF cat. They shouldn't let it out at night really, it's the most dangerous time for a cat to be out. They should definitely keep it in response to your complaint.

I second the water pistol!

CF cat is obviously very disappointed that you haven't fitted a cat flap so he/she can come and go at will.
Cat will wake you and knock things off window sills in the middle if the night etc until you fix your error. 😂

The cat is trying to move in - clearly thinks you are a nicer household to live in than your neighbours. Not sure why it doesn't want to sleep at the end of your bed once being let in.

A curtain won't work but a screen might.

Though then the cat may knock on the screen to be let in....

@Orange99 nailed it.

Cats don't like lavender, citrus or tinfoil. If you can incorporate all three onto being on your windowsill each night you'll be fine.

Also, if the man is unkind to the woman no wonder the cat no longer wishes to own them. He's realised you're a better pet and has deigned to become your owner. Accept it with good grace and many tins of tuna and you'll all be fine.

Count yourself lucky. My neighbour’s cat has come in through DS’s bedroom window, failed to find a way out, and weed on my hallway carpet in protest. Twice.

Shut your bedroom door for a start so it can’t get downstairs. Then turf it out back through the window whilst using your firm cat instructor voice

There is a company called Flat Cats which makes cut to size toughened netting which allows windows to be wide open but keeps cats in their required place. It’s meant to keep indoor cats in but would work the other way too. Amazon sell it, not too expensive at all.

I used to have the neighbour's cats coming in over night, beating up my cats and eating their food - all stopped now I have a big F off dog

My neighbour's cat ate our pet mouse.

We use the netting on all the dcs windows because they don't like bugs getting in. Keeps the cats (mine) out of their rooms too which is helpful, well not for me as there's less room on my bed what with ddog spread eagled on there.

@Idontbelieveinthemoon
and very good advice too.

Your NDN really can't resolve this, IME it'd be cruel to keep an active cat (who enjoys going out) in at night. It's not that's he's fighting, he's exploring and doesn't know that your open window isn't for him. (Downstairs catflaps are staff entry, upstairs windows, clearly for Feline Royalty) Nor does he know your house isn't an extension of his territory. (Cats tend to miss 101 Property Law class...)

You & your snuggly house have been chosen, as he's returning regularly.

So it's down to smells and texture at entry points to help him unchoose your house. Lol at the terrier dog suggestion as that'd work!!
A netting cover sounds clever idea but just to pre-warn you, my cats would take that as a challenge to dismantle thinking it's a fun obstacle course.

You need one of these...

Ah... @thegreylady - brilliant find!

What is a CF?

Nothing to add, but your ‘enter into hand to hand combat’ really made me laugh smileeachday

Yanbu, but neither are they. I personally don't like cats outdoors overnight it's not safe for the cat but really isn't much they can do from there end. You could try the anti cat sprays around your window, they do work. Or you could try one of them ultrasonic motion sensor things for foxes? Our neighbour use one of them and it does the trick with our cats!

Occasionally one of mine wouldn't come in before bedtime, so I would put the flap on 'In Only', so once he came home he couldn't get out again.

I got up one morning and had several extra, very worried looking moggies all sitting in the living room.

@Rubytulip

What is a CF?

Cheeky fucker

woder
I said hi to my cat strolling across the living room. Wasn't my cat
Got out the shower to find another not my cat having a snooze on my bed
I'm like a bloody cat spa sometimes

Thanks Juells!

I've heard that cats don't like the smell of citrus

I'd heard that too. Thus I did not expect to be mugged* for my lemon yoghurt. Or other citrus flavoured dairy delicacies that cats should have no use for, being generally lactose-intolerant. (Ours isn't. She is intolerant of many things, but she has plenty of time for lactose. )

OP I think if you put some screening on the inside of the window cat may be put off trying to get in, as long as it can see the screen clearly. Is there a single storey roof below your window that helps with access? My bedroom window has sheer drop underneath it, was more likely that DCat would fall out than another cat get in

*When I say mugged, I mean she sits by you staring at your delightful foodstuff then raises a slightly trembling paw, before placing said paw on your hand. Some people may be able to resist this.

When I say mugged, I mean she sits by you staring at your delightful foodstuff then raises a slightly trembling paw, before placing said paw on your hand. Some people may be able to resist this.

Who? Who could possibly resist this?!

@woder & @ollivander84 We’ve got a microchip activated cat flap & even that didn’t stop the neighbours cat getting in - must have tailgated one of ours! Definitely CFs, but got to admire their determination.