Cats following me on foot

[Fetacat]

I was wondering if anybody else has had this problem or has any ideas on how to resolve it.

I have two cats, rescue bro and sis, aged 2 who have a cat flap but tend to hang around the garden a lot. Basically whenever we go anywhere on foot they follow us. We have to put them in the house then leg it but obviously this isn't always possible as they duck into people's gardens and then carry on following us at a distance. This stresses me out so much as I don't want them coming to the pub or post office or anywhere near the main road through our village! We have tried shouting at them to go home and trying to chase them back up the street but it doesn't work. I am due my first baby next month and am dreading having to deal with them following us every time I take the baby for a walk! I just don't want them coming to any harm! Any advice please? Thank you!

Lock the cat flap and start letting them in & out yourself?

Hi thanks we did do this but it means we have to get them in every time one of us just wants to nip out which can get a bit stressful especially if they have just been fed and my husband decides to pop to the shop to grab something without giving me enough notice to get them in!!

Oh dear. I've never had this myself but I know it happens and yes, it is very, very dangerous.

I think locking them in when you go out is really the only solution and hopefully they'll eventually then get out of the habit and you'll be able to let them have free rein again. With winter coming it should be easier.

Mine does this. I carry on walking without looking back. Luckily it is a quietish road, eventually when he is out of his territory he turns back but it took nerves of steel the first time I did it as I also thought he would end up confidently walking into Waitrose with me!

Ours do this. I usually shout and stamp the ground to scare them into running back home. It mostly doesn't work and they end up coming so far and then sitting and howling.

Have you tried feeding them as you go out so they're busy? Ours never join us on the school run as they are having breakfast.

If you put them on a lead, they will instantly NOT want to come with you, or if they're being extra contrary, they WILL want to come with you, but will be safe on their leads!

A cat isn't such a bad thing n a pub.