To wonder what the hell is going on with this cat?

[Porcupineintherough]

Since last week our house has been under mild siege from a cat who is, to put it simply, trying to get in. It mews at the doors, it tries to climb into the windows, including the upstairs windows via the flat roof.

Until last week I'd never seen this particular cat before, so possibly it is new to the neighbourhood. It seems in excellent condition and only appears and frantically tries to get in a couple of times a day, so it's not like its stuck in our back garden or anything.

The thing is I dont like cats much, probably because I'm highly allergic to them. So I've definitely not been encouraging it. I've heard of cats "adopting" second families but assumed this was because they were fed or at least welcomed. And I'm sure on our road, which is full of cat lovers, it wouldnt be short of choice if it wanted/needed food or attention or a new home, or a bit if company.

So why us and what can I do about it? I'd usually shoo cats out of the garden but they are usually in the garden. This thing is only in the garden to find a way into the house. I just want to be able to open a window again.

Is it in trouble (and if so wtf do I do about it)? Why does it want to come in to our house?

Have you a local Facebook page you could put a photo up on to see if anyone recognises it?

Our local page has someone who will come round and scan lost dogs/cats or random ones like you have that keep appearing to see if they can contact a owner to make sure everything is ok. Worth a try.

How long have you lived there? I wonder if it could be a previous resident’s cat who has got lost from their current home and somehow found their way back to old familiar territory.
Or, do you have a female cat?

Ignore the female cat part, just read that you’re allergic! :)

It knows you don't want it in the house and sees you as a challenge.
Just post in your local Facebook group and see if anyone's missing it.

No cats here, just two tortoises and even they can't be the attraction as they are in hibernation . We've been here 12 years so I doubt it's the previous cat returning home (I'm also pretty sure it's the wrong colour).

Nothing on the community WhatsApp/Facebook groups about a missing cat, which there usually would be (about 3 a week go missing, almost always found within a day or two). I could try posting a photograph I guess. I'm just slightly concerned I'll end up looking slightly deranged or be accused of being a cat thief.

@Tavannach that has occur to me. I am usually a magnet for cats, the more I ignore them the more they want to sit on my lap.

It just seems so determined to get in.

Could it be bullied by a neighbours cat and be trying to make you a safe haven? I had a few cats come to me over the years mine was a safe garden for them plus if I fell asleep during the day they would sneak in my house and nap with me until I woke up then they would scatter my cats found it amusing

Is it a Bengal or Bengal cross? (Stripey looking things usually.)

They're incredibly persistent.

Buy a kids water pistol, the bigger the better. Keep it full, near the window it tries to get in the most and squirt it every time you catch it trying to get in. It will stop if you get it a couple of times. At one point I couldn't open our windows at all as next doors cat would try to get in at every opportunity, I have found it sleeping on my child's bed. I got it with water a few times and it eventually stopped trying to get in. Before I get ripped apart by cat lovers, it is only a bit of water and doesn't do them any harm!

If it seems determined to get in there must be a reason especially as he hasn’t given up yet. Could be other cats bullying him etc or maybe new to the area and you garden/door are similar to his so he gets confused.

I would pop a picture on the local page.

Very attractive cat of the opposite sex secretly spraying around your house?

Oh god, this sounds like my cat. He is an escape artist (from our house) and determined breaker and enterer (of other peoples' house). If you live in South Manchester, I'm sorry haha!

Ignore him, or maybe get a little water pistol. That should put him off after a few times. They also don't like hissy noises like sprays.

that has occur to me. I am usually a magnet for cats, the more I ignore them the more they want to sit on my lap

This is because you don’t make eye contact, which to cats is an invitation. Stare the things down and they slope off very quickly. It’s back to front because people who don’t like cats instinctively do the wrong thing and look away, inviting the cat, and vice versa!

As for this one trying to get in your house, very odd. Do you have a warm house? I agree it’s probably a bengal, those things have no clue about personal space 😂

You haven't moved into your house recently, have you? i.e. he didn't used to live there and is confused...? That's the only other thing I can think of.

Not a Bengal (had to google, arent they gorgeous).

Inside of our house is most def a cat free zone (I know this cause I can breathe) but I guess something could be scent marking the outside.

Will post on Facebook/WhatsApp see if anyone knows it. Dont know why it doesnt just go next door, they are in all day and like cats.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray Can you get your thread moved to the Litter tray?

On there we have the gorgeous Thug Cat, always keen to make friends, another stray cat who was neutered and dropped 14 miles away and yet made it back, and Bella, a stray who has made it inside. There's lots of advice. And photos.

Can you ask if someone local can check for a microchip, take photos and put on lost and found pets. Can we see a pic

Some cats can be like that - no logic or boundaries. Mine goes into any house that lets him in but he loves bullying house owners where he knows he’s not wanted. Houses where he isn’t welcome are like a giant challenge to him.

I doubt it's a stray, if in good condition and clearly well fed - it may just be very determined, stubborn cat! We have one around here that will. not. give. up. on getting into our house, despite the fact we have dogs that bark at him and a cat of our own who violently (and noisily!) beats him up any time she catches him on her 'turf', he still seems to want to come in, god knows why , he has a very nice home of his own but that doesn't seem to stop him terrorising the whole street and the more they welcome him, try to feed him etc the less interested it seems he is, I guess he's just contrary . He's not a bengal either, just a bog standard moggie, he was neutered quite late according to his owners who are tearing their hair out trying to stop him, that might possibly have something to do with it?

I've totally failed to stop this myself so not much good advice for you OP, you could try getting a water pistol that sometimes works to spook them off without you having to get up close and personal, or try one of those high pitched sound emittors? Or as a PP said, perhaps doing what another cat would and getting into (and winning?) a prolonged staring match might work?

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and update to tie up the thread.

Persistent cat is called Clover, she and her owners moved into the neighbourhood a couple of months ago. Clover is a sociable cat who makes a daily round of the neighbours for strokes and chat (at her previous home she was a regular at the local pub). Anyway, we are a terrible let down to Clover as we wont let her in and she likes to remind us of all this each morning around 10 but we have agreed to introduce her to the bar at the local tennis club once its open again..

So anyway, a happy ending. I dont have to feel guilty because she has a lovely home and at least half the neighbourhood eating out out her paw.