Our young cat is being terrorised

[cariboo]

Leila, our six-month old cat, is being attacked by a neighbourhood cat, Jasmine. I know it's a territorial thing, but Leila stays in and around our home and, in theory, it's her turf. Jasmine is much older and I've seen her around prior to our adopting Leila. I don't know Jasmine's owners but even if I did, I can't ask them to keep Jasmine indoors.

Leila loves to go out and would be quite miserable if I kept her confined. Any suggestions?

Do you see Jasmine around your property?

Yes, she's always around.

I'd make her feel unwanted if she's in your garden, then. A thin jet of water from - say - a garden plant sprayer won't harm her (of course) but would certainly discommode her. (Cats usually hate being wet.) She ought to get the message.

Have you a microchip flap for your own cat if she uses a flap? It would be unfortunate if Jasmine was able to come into your house and invade Leila's safe place.

No, we don't have a cat flap. Apart from the front door, our other access doors are glass (sliding).

Giving Jasmine a blast from the garden hose would make me feel a lot better!

Water is your friend. A couple of jugs of water over the cat will mean she never sets foot in your garden again.

I can understand that the garden hose might be satisfying but it might also be just a tad forceful, I fear.

I used to have one of those hand held 'pressure sprayers' that you could pump up. They can send a thin jet of water quite some distance when charged and cats really hate it.