Neighbours Cat

[SMLSML]

Bit of a random one, we've got new neighbours (moved in 2 weeks ago). They've got a cat and for the last few days it's been meowing at our windows late at night trying to get in. We're semi detached and the houses identical. Sounds crazy but cats meows in the night can be crazy loud 😅 I know it'll need time to get used to it's new surroundings but with a six week old baby we need all the sleep we can get 😅 obviously not going to speak to them as cats do what they want but are there any easy deterrents we could put round our windows or in the garden, like scents or anything to put it off?

I will preface this by saying I am a huge cat lover (obsessed). I have 3 of my own.

I had a neighbours cat CONSTANTLY meowing at my door and really distressing my indoor cats and the situation was escalating.

I eventually poured a cup of water on it from the window.

(I know, it seems horrible and I never thought I would do that)

But I did it twice, and then he never came back and just avoided our garden.

It does seem horrible, but it's just water at the end of the day and the situation was unbearable.

I'd be asking her why her cat isn't in at night.

I agree with water, quick squirt with a hose or cup of water

Water, spray it with water.

Yes make it not want to hang round on your windowsills. Water gun. I like cats but when one was bothering the wildlife in my garden I used my daughter's water pistol on it and it stopped coming to my garden.

I love cats too but that water story made me laugh. Maybe get a water gun or spray bottle of water and spray it with that, it doesn’t sound as mean as a full cup. I remember when I got my cat the woman from the shelter said to spray her with water from a spray bottle if she scratched the furniture, so it can’t be that cruel if it was recommended by the shelter!

I agree with the water, but I actually would speak to them too. They might be able to bring it in at night or install a cat flap more quickly if they know he is crying.

Thanks all, if it goes on much longer I think I'll have no choice but to do the water thing. It's there again this morning at our door and then alternating between that, the garden and our window 😅 I'm hoping as they've only just moved in they still need to install a cat flap, don't think they're bothered if it's in at night or not 🙃 thanks all!

They may well have a cat flap. We do as well as a catio… doesn’t mean they don’t meow for the door/window to be opened to let them in act like they are some poor neglected kitty 🤣

Come running like they haven’t ever been fed and meowing the second I open anything that could be a packet of meat. They came running for milk being opened the other day. Silly sods 😅

Why?? Most cats are out at night.

A lot of owners realise that their cats are safer in at night. Mine come in at teatime and stay in. Also if they only moved in two weeks ago the cat hasn't been kept in for the recommended time in a new environment. The owner is irresponsible in my opinion.

It's perfectly normal for a cat to be out at night. It's also quite regular for a cat in a new environment to try and enter nearby homes.
My Ndn cat has been indoors for about two years, and they suddenly decided he can go out now. But he was really discombobulated as he had no territory and my cat took a dislike to him. But it was a love/hate thing and it would regularly try and get into my house. Same with another neighbours cat who's since left.
Use a water spray. It won't persist once it realises the only outcome is unpleasant and he's never gonna get in.

The only way I managed to deal with a similar situation was to send the cat 450 odd miles to Scotland. 🤣
(Long story - but can be found on MN by looking up TC and my username if you really want to)

You sent someone else's cat 450 miles away?

Wouldn't you have done? 🤣

Your neighbour is stupid and irresponsible.

water pistol for the cat.

If it was me, I'd also have words with the neighbour.

Your neighbour is not being a good cat parent. When I adopted my cat from the lady from the Blue Cross told me to keep my cat indoors for a month to allow her to familiarise herself with her new surroundings, the smells and sounds of the area, to minimise the chance of her getting lost when I did eventually let her out. She also advised me to go out with my cat for the first few times, to keep the outings brief, and to have a cat flap so she could always come in for safety, warmth, shelter etc. when she needed it. She also said never to leave the cat out at night and always have her back inside by dusk and to keep the cat flap locked overnight. She said she had seen more than her fair share of cat casualties and many people don’t actually like cats and think nothing of using them as target practice for air rifles, and, at night, when it was really dark, people ran cars right at them, deliberately, because the cat’s eyes showed up in the car headlights. I got a good talking to and I’m grateful for it. I followed her advice and my cat is always home safe with me, always in by dusk.

I feel like I must of read this story but I can’t put my finger on it. Off to search 🤣

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3564597-Next-doors-thug-cat

First thread

Any reason you can't just talk to the neighbour? A friendly enquiry as to how they are settling in, and you could mention the cat has not yet worked out which house is theirs and that he seems to want to get inside at night. They may think the meowing is someone else's cat or yours.