A new cat has arrived in the neighbourhood and is trying to claim our garden and house as it's own.
My two placid easy going cats are terrified of it.
We have a lockable cat flap but a few times it's forced its way through in the night. Have been putting the covered litter tray in front of it to act as another barrier, but last night the cat was determined and pushed this out of the way to get in. Girlcat was so terrified she wee'd herself.
Both cats are now too scared to go outside once or gets past about 8pm. We used to have the cat flap as entry only when we went to bed and then they'd be locked in for the night when they came in. Can't do this anymore as the intruder cat can't get out and just smashes through the cat flap.
Cats are normally locked in the kitchen at night and have spent the last week pressed up against the window looking out nervously for the cat.
My plan of action is now to:
Wipe the outside step with orange essential oil to deter it.
Block catflap from the outside with a physical barrier.
Keep the cats in a different room overnight so they can't look out into the garden.
Whenever the cat is in the garden dh runs chasing it clapping his hands to scare it away.
Any other ideas?