To hate next doors cat with an absolute passion

[PostWar9]

Next door have this nightmare cat which I think is a nasty little creature. Constantly destroying my garden, going to toilet in it, hissing at us. It’s got to the point now where whenever it comes into the garden I specifically let the dog out to chase it to get it out and I’d never normally do that. Dog stays inside most of the year. A lot of cats are filled with love and you can see as friends or companions but this one is just not nice at all. AIBU to hate this cat?

If your dog stays inside most of the year do you take it for walks?

The cat is just being a cat, I wouldn't hate it for that.

It's a bit odd to hate a cat who is just being a cat but I totally get the annoyance of having it come shit in your garden and be grumpy to you.....absolutely let the dog out to chase it off.

Do just be wary of the cat taking a swipe at the dog though....your poor dog may come off worse and you may be better off with sprinklers and citrus.

It's a cat. They're not malicious, nor is it deliberately targeting your garden, it's just doing cat stuff. Check online for ways to keep it out of your garden - these things work reasonably well:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PestBye-Ultrasonic-Operated-Activated-Repellent/dp/B00FXSU2WK/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2ODUFPJVN9EKN&keywords=cat+repellent+ultrasonic&qid=1704900998&sprefix=cat+repe%2Caps%2C693&sr=8-6

Sounds like the cat feels the same way 🤷‍♀️

What @Jonismorf said.

And it's hissing because it's scared or feels threatened. Not just to piss you off.

Your talking to a cat lover,
I can understand it's annoying
But the are animals friendly stuff on the internet that don't really cost the earth or put some Lemon juice on your garden, cars hate citrus smell.

Don't hate the cat!
It's just being a cat, it's claimed your garden as its territory and is wondering what you're doing trespassing.
It's hissing because it's scared of you.
Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do, it's a lot more street smart than you & will probably thwart your attempts to keep it out, try the pet repellents, orange peel and the powder "Get Off" it'll find its way around it.
I'd make friends with it, get some poo bags to clear up it's mess, basically learn to be a cat servant 🐈😺

My dog is old. Doesnt enjoy walks anymore. Likes some time in the garden but not a lot. Bless him though he still has the heart to chase cats. Never catches them but gives it a go.

But what you’re missing is I’m not interested in any of that with this particular cat. If anything I’d much rather advice about cat proofing and ways to stop this cat from repeatedly gaining entry onto my private property.

YABU, all cats are fabulous.

My beloved cat died aged 17 in August and a few months later I had rats burrowing under my shed - I saw them running around in the garden in the day time. I was sad to get the rat man in but am in a small surburban garden now and it would have affected neighbours on three sides.

I'd never seen a rat before, or appreciated what a great job she had done in keeping vermin away. Unfortunately cats are free spirits, I hope you can tolerate him or her. You could ask your neighbour if she has a cat litter tray - my cat never seemed to toilet outside, she always used her litter tray.

We’ve had some success with sonic cat repellers, but I don’t know if that would work given you have a dog.

Keep a water pistol handy?

Put up a sign that says, ‘Private Property, keep out!’?

You're not wrong that som cats are nice and some are little bustards. I've had cats since I was 7, I love them, but they're not all fun to have around. They are all unrepentant about shitting though.

I'm a cat lover. As an owner, I'd far rather someone took a hose to a cat if they wanted to stop it shitting in their garden, rather than set dogs onto it or use other dubious methods to get rid. Water is not going to do a cat any harm, but they generally hate it.

This will definitely work.

I agree with pp get water on it to deter, it's not going to hurt it. Dog could and if it did your allowing animal cruelty. Also if my cat got hurt by you setting your dog on it best believe your life would be a misery living next to me.

I'll get flamed for this - but this is why cats should be indoors or out in a catio/harness trained for outdoors. Most countries do this and the cats are fine, if they have enough enrichment, facilities and toys they are extremely happy and they live longer on average.

I've never understood why we are so hell bent in this country on letting our cats shit in other people's gardens, annoy neighbours, indiscriminately kill wildlife, be exposed to pathogens, poisons and so on.

So should OP keep her dog in just because a random cat wants to use the garden? Dog has more right to be there than the cat…

A supersoaker is an excellent cat deterrent. A couple of squirts when it comes in the garden and after a few goes it will learn not to!

You could try making friends instead....give it love and attention, and it will reward you by shitting elsewhere.

I am a cat lover so YABU, what if the dog caught it? Get a water pistol. Even I’d love a go.

My neighbour had 7 cats before she passed away. They were her babies. A couple of them used our garden to shit in. It was not a pleasant experience. But yeah life is too short and cats will be cats. We have a dog now with a very high prey drive, not by design he is a sight hound they have high prey drive, no more cats but he shits in the garden instead. The joys.