Random cats hanging out in my garden and howling

[kinkyfuckery]

We recently moved to a new house (start of June). We have an older cat (about 13), kept her in for a few weeks, now she has free run of the area.

A couple of weeks ago, she decided to stay out at night for the first time and I heard an almighty howling racket, came downstairs and found her outside, cowering in a corner being beaten the shit out of by a big black cat. No injuries, thankfully, but my cat is not a fighter and just cowered and took it.

I chased the cat off, but over the past couple of weeks it still keeps coming back. Now there's another large cat who is also frequenting our garden. The pair of them will sneak into the house if the door is open, and the black one has even let itself in through the kitchen window a couple of times!

For the past few days, the two cats and my cat have taken to sitting outside yowling! My cat will sit on the window sill outside, watching, whilst they stare each other out and howl painfully at each other!

Why are they howling at each other? What can I do to stop the other cats coming into the garden - at least into the bloody house!!

Can you get a microchip cat flap in the door? That will allow yours in at the door but keep the others at bay. (If she's not chipped, that's easy done - a quick in and out at the vet.)

PS - I'm assuming she's neutered?

We have a similar type of problem every now and again in our back garden. I have three cats. There is a monster of a black cat that comes in every few weeks or so. It has smashed it way through the cat flap three times - have had to buy new flap. And there are frequent fights outside. Used to be more often; but now that our youngest cat is growing up fast has petered off a little. I once stared at it for a full two minutes and it looked straight back at me - cocky git!

In the past I have stood in the back and hissed, thrown things in its general direction and physically picked it up and deposited it outside of the garden. It's difficult to know what to do really. It's bullying but there aren't the same guards as if it was a human child. As in; if you approach the owners- they do not have the same control over behaviour.

Sounds like territorial wars to me. Do have food that can be seen through your doors/window? That usually encourages them to come closer.

It's an ASBO cat, you need a super soaker to kick some ass in a non-illegal way.

Your poor female. I'd want to throttle it too.

I don't own the house, so can't put in a cat flap unfortunately. Yep, cat is definitely neutered, has been for years! (We've only had her almost 2 years, but previous owner had her ever since she was 1. Not sure when she was 'done' but apparently she has been How would I know?)
Solid door, so food not visible through it, unless of course the door is open and the pesky shits come in!

Thinking a water pistol is the way to go. I keep grabbing a glass of water when I hear the fuckers out there, but they always hear the door opening and bolt!

A water pistol is fit for purpose in these circumstances.

I should imagine you're right about the neutering, kinky, but sudden yowling and disturbance among the neighbourhood cats is.......interesting. Maybe as well just to check whether she's an elderly girl but a good time girl also. When us she next due at the vet?

She's due at the vet for boosters in the next couple of months. She is seen every six months at the vet for blood tests as she's on medication for her thyroid. Could it be related to that in any way?