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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To squirt this cat with a hose

100 replies

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:39

Just need some thoughts because my partner didn't let me do it.

I have a cat who is an indoor cat that goes into our back garden as she pleases. Mostly now I'm indoors not too far away. We've built up over 3 years for her to be left alone in the garden.

She's been neutered.

We have a male cat that is an outdoor cat that lives on our street. He's a bully and attacks the other cats in our road frequently which makes me think he's not been neutered.

Earlier I happened to be changing my cats litter tray and looked out the backdoor window. There's the bully cat sat at our backdoor as if waiting to be let in. He then went all over the garden speying with my girl sits. He left so then I went outside to hose everywhere down.

While he was there I told my partner that I was going to chase him away and he stopped me doing so saying it was cruel.

But now truth be told if he came back I want to squirt him with the hose. Normally I would never dream of this as not a cruel person but I don't want him attacking my cat.

She saw him earlier and followed him throughout downstairs through the windows. Fur on end, ears back, tail low. She was anxious.

My partner said she was fine and I'm being silly saying she was scared.

Am I cruel to squirt him with the hose? He honestly is aggressive with other cats.

OP posts:
BMW6 · 25/04/2024 17:43

Absolutely squirrels the git. Won't harm it and may discourage it from your garden

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:44

BMW6 · 25/04/2024 17:43

Absolutely squirrels the git. Won't harm it and may discourage it from your garden

Thanks that's what I think. I just said to my mum on the phone that I would have well squirted him if my guy was in work.

OP posts:
Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:45

Only like a 2 second squirt. Like a puff.

OP posts:
Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:45

He bit the ear more or less off on this other cat up the street.

OP posts:
Allfur · 25/04/2024 17:45

Or a water gun?

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:46

Allfur · 25/04/2024 17:45

Or a water gun?

No the hose

OP posts:
awayandaway · 25/04/2024 17:46

Problem is, to him, it is not your garden it is his, and he will defend it.

Can I suggest a water pistal not a hose?

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:46

I wouldn't stand right on top of him it would be distanced

OP posts:
Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:46

awayandaway · 25/04/2024 17:46

Problem is, to him, it is not your garden it is his, and he will defend it.

Can I suggest a water pistal not a hose?

Good idea yes

OP posts:
Datafan55 · 25/04/2024 17:46

Yes do it. It doesn't harm them, and it's just looking out for your girl.

TinyYellow · 25/04/2024 17:47

Of course it’s not cruel, it’s just water!

it would be much more cruel to allow your own pet to be intimidated in its own home.

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:48

thanks so much guys. She wants to go out now but I don't want to let her. We are also adopting a male kitten so this needs to be nipped in the bud ASAP.

OP posts:
Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:48

To humans he's a lovely little thing but to other cats he's awful. He's also double the size of my cat.

OP posts:
MorvernBlack · 25/04/2024 17:49

Absolutely go for it and I say that as a cat lover. There's no excuse for not neutering a cat and why should you have to cough up for vets bills if he attacks your cat. It won't do him any harm.

WendySmith2508 · 25/04/2024 17:50

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Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 25/04/2024 17:53

Do it. I have a similar problem except the bastard thing breaks in through my cat flap and pisses in my house.

WendySmith2508 · 25/04/2024 17:55

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feetlikeahobbit · 25/04/2024 17:57

My cat was a bully boy in his youth, he had been neutered but it was at 2 when I got him. On more than one occasion he came home wet from being squirted with water and I was fine with that. Didn't hurt him and may have saved on vets bills for both cats.
He settled down in old age as he got slower.

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:58

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 25/04/2024 17:53

Do it. I have a similar problem except the bastard thing breaks in through my cat flap and pisses in my house.

No way!!!! Omg do you know the owner?

OP posts:
Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 25/04/2024 17:58

@WendySmith2508 put someone else's cat down?

Singleandproud · 25/04/2024 17:58

As long as it's not cold go for it. But you would be much better off with using brackets and netting to cat proof your garden especially if getting another cat who may not be happy to stay in the confined if your home.

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 17:58

I've just let her out. Will see how she acts

OP posts:
Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 25/04/2024 17:59

@Moonpie6 I do. They're not exactly responsible cat owners (at least 6 cats in a small house, and at least 2 males not neutered)

WendySmith2508 · 25/04/2024 17:59

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Moonpie6 · 25/04/2024 18:00

Singleandproud · 25/04/2024 17:58

As long as it's not cold go for it. But you would be much better off with using brackets and netting to cat proof your garden especially if getting another cat who may not be happy to stay in the confined if your home.

I'm thinking of that. Just money at the moment and my partner is a nightmare to get him to do DIY. I will get some quotes.

OP posts:
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