Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why are cats allowed to be a pain in the arse??

301 replies

sofaprincess · 22/10/2023 11:15

We recently moved into a new house and we have a dog. She is quite a large dog and I have spent a huge amount of time training her and trying to ensure she is well behaved out of the house and friendly or indifferent (depending on the situation) with other people and dogs. I am always conscious that people might not like dogs and we steer clear of people in the street and always clear up her mess. She loves spending time in the garden and that is supposed to be her safe space.

My issue is this - my husband is picking cat poo up regularly from our front garden and has identified the culprit, but really what can we do (rhetorical)? But worse than that, a different cat likes to come and sunbathe in my garden (on the shed roof or other high up places) which causes my dog to bark continuously until I go out and lure her back inside. I’m starting to feel a bit fed up with nuisance cats - we should be able to enjoy our outside space without dealing with bloody cat issues……right?

YANBU - cats are are pain in the arse and they should be regulated in the same way as dogs are (ie owners need to ensure they have them under control)

YABU - cats will be cats and they should be allowed to free roam and sunbathe/shit where they like

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Ylvamoon · 22/10/2023 12:22

This thred is proof once more: cat owners will always look down on other people.

They don't have any respect for other people's property and projecting their twatty anitsocial attitudes onto their pets.

News flash: cats are domesticated, they are not wild animals, they CAN & SHOULD be kept on their owners property.

TicTac80 · 22/10/2023 12:24

Cat owner here. YANBU.

I've got 4 cats. I have three cat litter trays in the house (they're automatic ones), all the cats are trained to use them. I let mine out during daylight hours (Assuming weather not hideous) and they're in when it's dark (microchip read cat flap which I can remotely set up to lock etc). Unfortunately, my garden has a layout which prohibits me from putting up the fencing that prevents them from leaving my garden. My LL won't allow me to put up a catio (I really wish I could. My house is small so it would be ideal). There are badgers in the area which go through my garden, so even if I was allowed to put up the cat proof fencing, it's likely that the badgers would still find a way through under the fence (they dig).

What I have done to try and mitigate any issues is speak to my neighbours. They know my cats. I've asked them to let me know if they see one of my cats pooing in their garden (or being a pain in the arse), and I will come and clean it up for them/try to sort things. I definitely wouldn't like it if their dogs pooed in my garden! As far as I can tell, mine tend to use the cat litter trays....or the raised planter where my roses are! I'm also looking at the idea of putting up some cat walls in the house to try and reduce the time mine spend outside/get them more to being indoor cats.

backtowinter · 22/10/2023 12:25

CalistoNoSolo · 22/10/2023 11:43

Cat owners are the most entitled and ridiculous people on MN. You won't get anything sensible from any of them, they just think the world should revolve around their shitty, parasite ridden animals and everyone else has to put up with it. And then when one of the things gets run over, it's all woe is me and bastard drivers etc. It's pathetic.

This

Saved me writing

gotomomo · 22/10/2023 12:26

Ddog has just been brought in from sunbathing because neighbours cat decided to sit on the roof, annoying but ddog doesn't like feline intruders and cat knows he can't get to him

Mothership4two · 22/10/2023 12:27

OP get one of those low frequency sensors. We have one for a dog that likes to poo in our front garden. One of my neighbours recommended it as her NDN's cats used to come into her garden and she had a toddler then and didn't want to risk them leaving little presents around. They work. Also, I would get a water pistol (pump action one) and squirt the sunbathing cat so it runs away.

TemporaryCatSlave · 22/10/2023 12:27

They should be regulated in the same way as dogs are (ie owners need to ensure they have them under control)
I agree that cats roaming are a pain, especially the poo. But the only way to 'regulate' roaming is to cat proof gardens, have a catio, or keep a cat indoors.

And realistically none of that is going to be regulated via laws or council requirements.. I mean they don't even have dog licences any more so imagine the bureaucracy around 'controlling' vast numbers of cats.

For the shed, you could try putting something unpleasant on the roof, like the spikes used for keeping pigeons away. Should discourage sunbathing. And perhaps training your dog not to be so territorial and barking at sleeping cats. I do know cats taunt dogs but they can be trained not to react, in the same way you've done it when out on walks etc.. (FWIW temporary cat is indoors only and if I had a garden would definitely cat proof it to avoid him running away or a road accident). But yes there is a lot of judgement from people about having indoor cats, sadly.

Mothership4two · 22/10/2023 12:29

@TemporaryCatSlave

And perhaps training your dog not to be so territorial and barking at sleeping cats. I do know cats taunt dogs but they can be trained not to react, in the same way you've done it when out on walks etc.

Good shout

margotrose · 22/10/2023 12:30

Cats cannot be controlled. They just do as they please.

They can be controlled, it's just most owners can't be arsed.

gotomomo · 22/10/2023 12:31

Ps my ddog only barks at cats and cats, the latter is dealt with by having a aerosol can with me (used to buy pet corrector but just carrying any can eg air freshener works as you don't have to actually use it, the sight of it is sufficient) nothing stops the cat issue, he hates them even dsd's now pate cat!

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 22/10/2023 12:34

margotrose · 22/10/2023 12:05

My cat spends 95% of his outdoor time kipping in the garden, I’m not keeping him in. He’s currently on his back warming his tummy in the sunshine.

You don't have to keep them indoors, just on your own property would do.

And how do you do that unless it’s with a catio?

KimberleyClark · 22/10/2023 12:34

We used to have a cat sunbathe on our shed roof. One time it rediscovered the law of gravity when an apple from next door’s large overhanging apple tree landed on its head. It didn’t sunbathe up there so often after that.

AirFryerFrequentFlyer · 22/10/2023 12:36

Aquestioningmind · 22/10/2023 12:20

I'd let my dog woof (and do) tbh.

My neighbour came around the other day and asked me to lock my dog inside when she lets her cat out!!! Apparently my dog had chased her cat out of my garden and it was somehow my/my dogs fault.

Cat people are beyond entitled but what do you expect from people who get pets and let them run around the countryside and don't train them?

Edited

I hope you told her to fuck right off!! Idiotic entitled mad cat lady!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/10/2023 12:36

It’s the difference between a domesticated animal (dogs) and an animal that moved in (cats) because they could see we had possibilities.

You can train a dog to shut up, working gun dogs will stop when the owner tells them too. I nearly asked her how to do it to try it on my cat but I know it’s doomed to fail.

margotrose · 22/10/2023 12:41

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 22/10/2023 12:34

And how do you do that unless it’s with a catio?

Show quote history

Cat-proof fencing.

margotrose · 22/10/2023 12:43

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/10/2023 12:36

It’s the difference between a domesticated animal (dogs) and an animal that moved in (cats) because they could see we had possibilities.

You can train a dog to shut up, working gun dogs will stop when the owner tells them too. I nearly asked her how to do it to try it on my cat but I know it’s doomed to fail.

You may not be able to train cats in the same way as dogs, but you certainly can keep them on your property so they don't bother other people.

iambouddica · 22/10/2023 12:49

If you can’t control a cat then maybe they shouldn’t be kept as pets or should be indoor only ( as in many countries).
I am allergic to them but apparently have to accept them invading my garden?

They scare my pets. They kill the birds who come to drink at my pond. They shit in my veg patch and spray on my garden furniture.

if you can’t keep them away from me then don’t let them out or don’t have one in the first place

Henowner · 22/10/2023 12:52

From the internet - googled 'cats right to roam UK':

"Cats cannot 'trespass'

However, cats enjoy a unique position as the Animals Act 1971 does not apply to them. This is how cats have this 'right to roam' and they cannot, therefore, trespass in the legal sense. Therefore, an owner cannot be legally responsible for where their cats go."

Maybe write to your MP to get the law changed? Or plan a move to Australia where cars do not have the right to roam 🙀

Mothership4two · 22/10/2023 12:55

I knew this would turn into a cat bashing thread. I'm off

TheOGCCL · 22/10/2023 12:56

Unless cats are kept in permanently (which some people do but that's a whole different debate) there's no way an owner can control them. But maybe try and few things like the super soaker or orange peel to make them think your garden is not the one for them.

KnittedCardi · 22/10/2023 12:57

sofaprincess · 22/10/2023 11:38

To be clear, I’m not expecting anyone to have a wonderful idea about how cats can be trained - I appreciate that they can’t, or not to the same extent as a dog! But if that’s the case and people choose to keep them as pets, then shouldn’t they need to keep them on their own properties?

Can you imagine the uproar if I let my dog shit in my neighbours front garden and left it for them to clear it up? Why should it be any different with cats? I didn’t choose to have a cat so I shouldn’t have to clear up after one!

Side note - I like cats and so does my dog usually (she has had a couple of pleasant interactions with them whilst out and about), but that doesn’t mean she won’t be cross about one being in her garden. Oh, and she rarely barks - only in a protective capacity and I don’t particularly want to irritate my neighbours by allowing her to (except for the ones that own the bloody cats!)

I regularly have to clear up dog shit from my front grass.......

margotrose · 22/10/2023 12:59

TheOGCCL · 22/10/2023 12:56

Unless cats are kept in permanently (which some people do but that's a whole different debate) there's no way an owner can control them. But maybe try and few things like the super soaker or orange peel to make them think your garden is not the one for them.

You don't have to keep them indoors to control them Confused

Build a catio.
Install cat-proof fencing.
Take them out on a lead and harness like they do in the US or Australia.

Millions of people all over the world manage to keep their cats on their own property - it's only in the UK that it's "impossible" because "cats can't be controlled".

Henowner · 22/10/2023 12:59

Sorry cats not cars 😂

FancyFanny · 22/10/2023 13:03

The real issue is that dogs are stupid!

Itsbritneybitch22 · 22/10/2023 13:05

I agree but you won’t ever win with furbaby mummies.

But yes you’re right these cat owners don’t give a shit what they’re animals are doing till they realise they’ve been missing for days/weeks and missing or been run over. Then it’s everyone else’s issue/problem.

dandelionandburdock36 · 22/10/2023 13:07

iambouddica · 22/10/2023 12:49

If you can’t control a cat then maybe they shouldn’t be kept as pets or should be indoor only ( as in many countries).
I am allergic to them but apparently have to accept them invading my garden?

They scare my pets. They kill the birds who come to drink at my pond. They shit in my veg patch and spray on my garden furniture.

if you can’t keep them away from me then don’t let them out or don’t have one in the first place

Edited

No one has to keep their cat away from you or your garden.

My cat does go out, I have no interest in trying to control him so you and all the rest of you who can’t cope with a cat on your tiny, little square of the world will just have to deal with it.