How can I stop the bastard cat from down the road coming in?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Christ almighty, if I wanted 3 cats I'd have 3 cats. But I can't afford to feed three cats - ha bloody ha, because that's exactly what's happening.

Its a massive thing, seriously twice the size of mine. I think it might be a maine coon or something. It can barely fit through the cat flap but obviously is doing. It comes in a few times a day and I chase it out.

Last night I came down late, in the dark and naked into the utility room and as I opened the door it flew at my head. I nearly shit myself.

Our cats won't keep collars on so one of those magnetic cat flap things is no use as ours will be locked out.

The dog goes for it if the dog's downstairs but that's not enough to put the cat off risking it - and that cat is twice the size of the dog so I'm a bit concerned who would win that fight.

Mmmm, only one of them is microchipped and I don't know its number. This is going to mean an expensive trip to the V.E.T isn't it?

As far as I recall, the microchip catflap reads the number itself. (Cat 1.)

As far as Cat 2 is concerned - you really should have it chipped also, especially if it goes outside. But it so happens that this June (right now) is National Microchip Month 2013 so if you get an appointment by the end of the month, you might find that you get a good deal from your vet because most of them are doing reductions. Why not phone them and ask?

PS - and if you're going up there anyway, maybe they'll read Cat 1's chip for you for free if you take him along and you can check the number and provider. Worth a try.

You don't need to know the microchip number for a microchip catflap- you just press the button on the flap and shove the cat through and it saves the microchip details.

I have one and am really pleased with it - although the neighbours cat I was trying to keep out started shitting on the doorstep to express his disgust with me!

stroke cat (if you dare)
cat puts tail up
slap handful of mustard/chilli sauce on cat's anus
cat leaves
cruel but effective

The chilli solution sounds tempting but I'll go with the microchip flap and get the other cat chipped. Thanks, I didn't know such cat flaps existed.

I advocate water and loud noises to scare it off. This mog thinks he is the king of your house and you need to claim it back. Nothing like a bit of terror to redress the balance.

That's true about him thinking he's king of the house. The other night he was yowling in complaint in the dining room as the cat food bowls were empty!

Microchip here has stopped our neighbours popping in for food, really simple as someone said, push record button, stick cat through, done. Repeat for other cat.

There is a clicking noise as it unlocks which might put them off so I taped ours open for a bit til they got used to that as they passed through.

Microchipping only £10 at our vets at the moment.

Other option is to get a small mad female rescue tortiseshell cat. Our second cat has seen off all other cats (except our huntercat) and now rules the garden as a kingdom, launching attacks on anything trying to shortcut through it.

Equally effective!

You mean you're not running a cat hotel service????

Do your cats come and go (through the cat flap at night)??

I came downstairs a few months ago to find a mangy flea ridden cat splayed on my sofa and my cats food gone and my kitties also gone.

However once my kitties are in for the night they stay in so I now lock the cat flap and DS (7) is up first and his job is to let them out as soon as he is downstairs.

It's worked well so far (no toilet accidents).

Probably still as well to get a chip flap if you can afford it. Now that you're on the other cat's radar, you might find him coming in during the day when you're not expecting it.

My cats do come and go all night.

This strange cat has also been in the house during the day so I will need the catflap.

Oh how annoying, the cat that was bothering me my cats only came in at night probably because I threw water at it1

Bloody thing just stuck its head through the cat flap. I sat quietly hoping it would come in and then I was going to run at it shrieking like a banshee but it must have clocked me as it reversed out.

My cat is sat is in the garden by the flap watching it.

Is it a stray?

Our cat had friends who were allowed in the garden but not the house.

But yes, microchip them all and get a microchip cat flap.

Don't think its a stray, its really fluffy, long coat and looks in good condition. DH thinks its from 3 doors down.