How to deal with aggressive cat and neighbour

[ottocat]

We have a 1 year old neutered male rescue cat, he's the soppiest cat we've ever had, insists on cuddles and sleeping between us at night and just lies there when the kids poke and prod him etc. However we know he does fight a bit with other cats around our house and a neighbour has complained. Some cats he seems fine with but there's 2 that he doesn't seem to like (both female.
He also has a habit of being very bold and walking into other peoples houses, jumping through open windows etc, mainly for food and fusses, we have asked neighbours not to encourage this but some still buy him toys which he brings home.
Neighbour wants to work a schedule on when we'll let our cats out but with us both working snd 2 young children it's not something we can coordinate and he has a cat flap to use feeely. Neighbour now saying as she can't stop him going in her garden with sprays etc she is going to go to the local authority and wants us to employ a cat behaviourist for him! Any advice on laws / where we stand / anything she can try to stop him?

@ottocat

I'm not saying they're being u reasonable, that's why I'm asking for advise if anyone has any ideas on what might deter him from going into their garden? As mentioned they've tried spraying water at him but he's not bothered by it. He's a rescue and was on the streets of Abu Dhabi until 5 months old so probably got used to people shooting him away so no longer scared by it. I'm not shutting him in all day, DH and I work so can't let him out mid morning for example, and he likes to come in at night to sit with us on the sofa and comes up to bed with us when we go. It would also mean a litter tray for the daytime which I don't want to deal with esp with a 1 year old crawling around

So can you shut him in when you're home in evening and tell the neighbours this?

Yes we can try that and I'll let them know, although they said their cat only goes out in the day so when they suggested a schedule it was like morning/afternoon split but maybe they can persuade their cat to go out at night instead

we have the smart sure pet door. it has an app and you can lock and unlock it remotely, as well as set a curfew. we got ours 2nd hand for about £90 on ebay. we actually got it because a neighbours cat got in one night (through a bog standard cat flap) and pooed on the carpet 🤮 we find it useful for limiting our cats hunting success by keeping him in at certain times during the day (and all night)

if cat proofing your garden isn't an option (I understand, it isn't for ours either unfortunately), can you get a catio? if you had a combination of catio plus smart pet door, you could shut him in for the afternoon via the curfew option but he could still go in the catio?

Just tell her you have given him a stern talking to and stop engaging with her...
My dd's ndn dropped a lovely note through her door saying her 2 x dcats have been eating her dcat's food and she was concerned they may have worms!!
Dd sent one back saying they were found as ferals very young and are just bloody greedy!! She is getting a voucher to replace the food sent out!
She told her to wet them and try and deter them if she wants to!!
No bad feeing at all.
The culprits..

@lochmaree to be honest I don't want to spend a lot of money on a catio when the neighbour has said she's moving away in 6 months time

@Santaischeckinglists very sweet pair! Yes agreed I think it definitely is due to his start in life, he's such a big softie but like he's not learnt his street manners for when he leaves the house!

Just because they're moving in 6 months doesn't mean your cat isn't being aggressive to other neighbourhood cats. You should invest in an outdoor run or put rollers on the top of your fence so your cat can't jump over, and only let him out the back. You should give more than zero shits that your cat is terrorising another cat. That cat should have the right to enjoy his own garden.

My dd had a black dcat in her garden that was actually trying to molest her boys!! . He got a soaking and stopped coming around pretty quickly!

@Santaischeckinglists how was a cat trying to molest her children?!

I'm channelling my inner Jackson Galaxy here (he's a cat behaviourist in America and appears to work wonders with cats who fight and have behavioural issues). Cat behaviourists do exist!

You shouldn't be allowing your cat to terrorise other cats on their property - I know legally cats have the right to roam but personally I think it's pretty grim as an owner to let your cat out when you know it can be aggressive and fight others.

I would be cat-proofing the garden (it doesn't have to cost much) and "catifying" his space so he can still satisfy his natural instincts to climb, be up high and hunt, but safely and without the risk of him getting hurt or hurting other cats.

It's pretty grim to refuse to have a litter tray because of your child, but expect the neighbourhood to accept your cat using their gardens, tbh.

I assume my cats go outdoors, but they have a covered tray indoors, so they can be shut in at night (safer for them and wildlife) and so a fair percentage of their crap is not imposed on the neighbours. It's not a big job to keep it clean, and if you can't be arsed with that, you really shouldn't have a cat.

I agree with MrsBibby re litter tray. Just get a covered one if you're worried about your child but your cat should have at least one in the house.

Her boy dcats!! An unneutered Tom was actually trying to mate with them!!