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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

How do I stop a stray cat coming in my house

26 replies

17leftfeet · 20/06/2014 20:56

He started coming in a couple of weeks ago when I left the conservatory door open

I put him straight out as soon as I see him

Over the last couple of weeks he has become more determined and has just jumped 10ft to get in my living room window

He gets no fuss, if I don't spot him in time he will help himself to my cats' water and food but if I see him I send him straight out

He didn't have a collar on originally but has now acquired one -no tags on it though

He's freaking my cats out -how do I stop the sneaky bugger?

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/06/2014 21:31

Does he look well fed? Hunger hurts & makes them bolder.

Original poster

17leftfeet · 20/06/2014 22:17

He's quite thin but not malnourished thin

He's on obviously got into a few scrapes over the years as his ears have a number of healed tears in them

He's not outwardly aggressive to my cats but one of mine doesn't like him and runs off

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/06/2014 22:27

So possibly quite hungry & desperate for food, most cats around here have a bit of flubber on them.

If you can gain his trust I'd put a note on his collar "is this your cat he is trying to move in to my house".

Put a bowl of food outside and some water, aldi is fine in the big tins sold seperately.

He won't bother coming in if he's full.

Tabby1963 · 20/06/2014 22:45

I wouldn't put food out because he'll just keep coming back anyway, may also encourage other cats (or foxes) to come into the garden/house.

Throw a pan of water over him when you see him (keep one handy in the kitchen); it won't harm him but will give him a shock. Your cats will be stressed that he's encroaching on their territory (particularly the one who runs away ).

My cats are nosy and have no shame and will go into neighbours' houses to scavenge/sleep on beds etc , I have advised the neighbours to throw water over them to discourage them.

It is a good idea to put a note on the collar. You could get to know the owner and find out more about this cat and its habits.

Original poster

17leftfeet · 21/06/2014 00:17

Don't think I could bring myself to chuck a pan of water at him

OP posts:

Tabby1963 · 21/06/2014 07:54

Well, get a squeezy bottle (old washing up liquid container), fill it with water and aim it at him a few times. Very soon he'll just need to see you holding it and scarper . Cats like routine and are very stubborn, he's soon get the message that you don't want him in your home and find other homes to invade. Your cats will thank you for it.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2014 08:09

But if he's hungry wouldn't you all want him coming back so you can feed him up?

Tabby1963 · 21/06/2014 10:12

Fluffy, if you don't want a cat coming into your home (and stressing your other cats), you can't feed him he'll adopt you If he's got a collar, put a note on it, and contact the owner; they'll be grateful probably, because they won't have any idea what he's been up to.

Scarletohello · 21/06/2014 10:13

Feel sorry for the poor pussy. :(

thecatneuterer · 21/06/2014 10:14

Gosh please don't throw water over him. And yes, if he's hungry, wouldn't you want to help him? And if he's hungry he'll eat the food, so there won't be any left to encourage foxes. (And what's the problem with foxes anyway? I think of them as a handy and cute waste disposal system).

Putting a note on his collar is a good idea. It sounds as though he's unneutered and so getting into fights. If he doesn't seem to have an owner (or even if he does but if the owner doesn't feed him or get him neutered he may as well not have) then perhaps you can get him taken in by a local cat charity (but not the RSPCA - they would probably just put him down).

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2014 10:21

If they come into your house their either hungry or a nosy cat but I wouldn't turn a thin cat away.

Original poster

17leftfeet · 21/06/2014 13:20

I put some food out on the wall for him this morning since he came running when I called mine in

Dd wants to adopt him, I've said no!

He's definitely someone's pet -I've put a note on his collar so we will see but he was here last thing last night and first thing this morning and he's currently asleep on my shed roof

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 21/06/2014 13:38

He likes you all best for some reason. That's a hard one to turn away but you have to do what's right.

(Next door have a relatively new and absolutely super young tom who helps me when I'm out back. I have to attempt to be no more than civil to him although he's trying to cozen me into more. Once you start to let them in your house and give them nibbles, you're doomed. (And you'll have irate owners on your back - quite rightly too because he may be on a special diet for some reason.))

Hopefully, the note will work and you'll be able to make contact with the owners.

Scarletohello · 21/06/2014 14:00

I've acquired a cat simply because he used to hang around outside and was v affectionate but v timid. He obviously does have a home but prefers it at mine. I now feed him and he often sleeps here at night. There's no collar on him and he may have been ill treated as he would initially cower away if you tried to stroke him. I don't feel bad about it as he's obviously happy. You can never really own a cat, they choose you I think.

Penneyanne · 22/06/2014 12:48

Oh scarletI have the same cat!She appeared in the back garden last November miawowing at me and I fed her given that I had a cupboard full of catfood as I have a cat already.She hung around all day and as it was freezing that night I opened the shed door and put a blanket on the ground and left food and water there just to see.Of course she was all moved in and settled in there in the morning.She never left us.She is very timid,had been neutered but no collar,was thin and very hungry but coat was in good condition.I took her to the vets and put her on the lost &found list etc but she is still with us and very much part of the family now.She is curled up here now looking at me .
I am pretty sure she was someones pet though and feel bad about that!

thecatneuterer · 22/06/2014 13:07

Penneyanne you shouldn't feel bad at all. You probably saved her life as she was obviously lost and could well have starved to death. Unfortunately if people don't chip their pets they really only have themselves to blame if this sort of thing happens.

DogCalledRudis · 23/06/2014 20:56

And your cats don't shoo him out?

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/06/2014 21:54

Any news?

Original poster

17leftfeet · 23/06/2014 22:26

He's still coming in, owners haven't contacted me but note has been removed

He tends to come when my cats aren't in the room, he rarely ventures beyond the conservatory and kitchen
Mine are only just a year old, neutered quite young so they haven't got it in them to challenge him

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/06/2014 22:35

Blimey, if fluffy cat came home with a note on him I'd get in contact pretty quickly.

Maybe they are out at work all day and he's lonely.

Is he in possession of Pom-Poms?

cozietoesie · 23/06/2014 22:38

I was wondering that. (The Pom-Poms.) It was 17's mention of the shredded ears that occasioned the thought.

Original poster

17leftfeet · 23/06/2014 22:40

No Pom poms

I'm wondering if he's a former rescue cat because he's not aggressive at all, a bit nervous and quite vocal

Doesn't fit with his obviously scrappy past

OP posts:

Scarletohello · 23/06/2014 22:45

What are Pom poms?

cozietoesie · 23/06/2014 22:53

Male accoutrements, Scarlet.

Penneyanne · 23/06/2014 23:25

Ooh,I was just going to ask what pom-poms are too !

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