I have an absolutely enormous 7 year old boy cat who is definitely a lover not a fighter. He has always been anxious and fearful, improved somewhat as the dc got older, but still very timid and intimidated by other cats.
We've had various problems over the years with cats invading the garden, but we are now enduring what feels like a siege from three neighbour cats, who are invading not only the garden but coming into the house, sauntering upstairs. They are not remotely scared of us. Humiliatingly, two are kittens (7 months old) and my cat is completely terrified of them.
HIs life is a bit of a misery right now, as he can't go into the garden without getting beaten up - and he used to so love the garden.
So: can I ask for some practical solutions, please? Right now I'm keeping the catflap blocked so they can't get in (I've had three microchip ones but they all got broken really quickly, so I've given up with them). If I see the cats in the garden, I spray some water at them. Of course, in the end I can't keep the cats out of the garden, but I really don't want to have to get a litter tray for my cat - he's so young to give up enjoying the evening breeze on his whiskers. I've considered building a kind of cat run into the garden, so he can at least pee without getting attacked? Any other ideas very gratefully received.