Male cat now scared to go out

[Shinyredbicycle]

Cat has lived here for 6 years, always been very outdoors especially in the summer.

Last couple of months two new male cats have been coming in the garden. I've sprayed them with water to deter.

Our cat has gone missing three times (always makes his way to a house about half a mile away and the owner now calls me to collect...) and is noticeably reluctant to go into our garden. I guess the other cats' smell/pheromones are there.

Anyway I can a. Get the other cars to stay out and b. Get rid of their smell so that our poor cat feels safe again?

TIA

This is a difficult one as cats are territorial. Your cat has lost its territory in your garden. Sounds like he/she has found a solution by moving to what they consider is a safe space.

Exactly. One of the other males was trying to get in the cat flap this morning, so I sprayed water in it's face.

That got rid of it.

I went out with our cat last night, and he did run back in but not immediately.