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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Neighbours cat has taken a liking to my bed...

34 replies

DoucheCanoe · 19/01/2022 15:42

I'm not usually a cat person but he/she is very friendly so I don't have an issue with them coming in for a kip during the day but would it piss you off as an owner?

We know nothing about this cat, think it might live a few doors down but I don't know anyone here so can't even ask and i also have diagnosed anxiety so approaching them is a no go Blush.

I don't feed them as wouldn't want to cause any issues if they're on special diet/foods etc and always put them out when we go out or mealtimes so it's not a hostage situation!

OP posts:
Original poster
DoucheCanoe · 19/01/2022 15:44

Picture just for the cute factor 😁

Neighbours cat has taken a liking to my bed...
OP posts:
gamerchick · 19/01/2022 15:44

Don't worry about it. Cats do cheat on their owners. You're not feeding him, he's just having a kip and then going home. There's no harm.

Wolfiefan · 19/01/2022 15:44

How is it getting in the house? Don’t let it in.

Original poster
DoucheCanoe · 19/01/2022 15:45

I should add that they tend to run in as soon as the door is open and will sit meowing at the window, we don't bring them inside specifically!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/01/2022 15:48

Ignore them at the window.
Block them at the door. Leg or bag in the way.
I would be concerned about it getting shut in or bringing fleas in.
We had a neighbouring cat who did this. I put him out and let the neighbour know if they were missing him to knock.

Purpleavocado · 19/01/2022 15:48

I suspect my cat goes to other people's houses! Another cat does try to come into my house but I move it out as I don't want my cat getting the hump. I love how independent they are.

Original poster
DoucheCanoe · 19/01/2022 15:50

@Wolfiefan that's sort of my issue. We don't "let" them in - we'll open the door to go in/out and it'll just be sat on the fence or on the door step ready to make a dash for it!

DH thinks we should just pick it up everytime and put straight back outside but I feel rotten doing that.

OP posts:
AuntieJoyce · 19/01/2022 15:53

Your DH is right

Cat is v cute but each time he comes in he’s getting further attached to your home

chesirecat99 · 19/01/2022 15:58

Your DH is right really. You shouldn't encourage him.

I would guess that his owners are out during the day and they either lock the poor thing out or he is a cheeky cat who prefers a snooze in a warmer house where the central heating is on and there is a bit of company.

You could put a note on his collar so the owners know where he is if he disappears (or write a note on a paper collar if he doesn't wear one).

Original poster
DoucheCanoe · 19/01/2022 15:59

That's what I thought but denied @AuntieJoyce, will try to encourage them to stay out from now on as don't want to be stealing anyone's pet!

Might need to consider one of our own instead 😁

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/01/2022 16:12

Why do you feel rotten? It has a home. If it gets in and you go away that’d be awful.

TheOccupier · 19/01/2022 16:25

I'd put a friendly note/paper collar on him saying "hello, your cat often visits us at no. 31, we enjoy his visits and we don't feed him, just thought you might be wondering where he is! Let us know if you ever want him fed while you're away". Or you could post that on NextDoor with his photo, if you're on there.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/01/2022 16:28

I'd pop a note through the owners door, just to let them know what he's up too. My parents cat frequently cheats on them. But they k ow where he will be, so don't worry. Our house used to be the neighbour hood hang out for loads of cats. Their owners all knew it!

viques · 19/01/2022 16:40

I would ask the cats owners if the cat is up to date on worming and flea treatments before I let it on my bed!

ouch321 · 19/01/2022 16:41

Pretty kitty.

Had a similar thing when younger, next door had little kids, perhaps it liked our quieter house.

Cats aren't v loyal are they...

Aderyn21 · 19/01/2022 16:44

I can't see the harm, so long as you are really careful never to shut him in if you go away.

Santahasjoinedww · 19/01/2022 17:01

Yabu to deny you are The Chosen One.. Of the week anyway!!
Dcats can see themselves in lots of homes. My previous 3 legged one had 3 addresses and an allotment!

MrsIronfoundersson · 19/01/2022 19:58

We have a visiting ginger cat from a neighbour who treats our house as his own. One of our own cats visits Ginger's house and snuggles up on the couch with Ginger's 'mum' in exchange! They don't recognise walls. Luckily none of us humans mind.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 20/01/2022 13:26

I don't understand owners who shut their poor cats out in all weathers only to wonder why they find a nice warm bed elsewhere.

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/01/2022 13:50

When my Bengal was little he used to come home smelling of the type of perfumes worn by older ladies.

Which is odd because he’d rarely go to people so he must’ve really liked them.

PamelaDoov · 20/01/2022 13:58

Our neighbours cat comes to ours. We don’t feed her (maybe the odd snack if we have leftover meat) but she likes to come in for a cuddle and a nap. I have tried to ignore her and wean her off coming here but she cries outside the door and I’m too soft on her.
We are moving soon and it’s gonna be so sad to leave her! She’s become my little friend.

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 20/01/2022 15:27

Not my cat is currently here having a great time with catnip

Neighbours cat has taken a liking to my bed...
FleshLiabilities · 20/01/2022 15:33

@MaybeHeIsMyCat

Not my cat is currently here having a great time with catnip
Looks stoned out of his gourd
nancy75 · 20/01/2022 15:35

My neighbour's cat is obsessed with my garage. The tumble drier is in the garage and every time I open the door the cat appears out of nowhere and run in.
The garage is full of rubbish, which the cat disappears in to and it takes me ages to coax him out. I don't care if he goes in the garage but I'm frightened I will accidentally shut him in and he will get upset!

Cheeseandlobster · 20/01/2022 15:37

@MrsIronfoundersson

We have a visiting ginger cat from a neighbour who treats our house as his own. One of our own cats visits Ginger's house and snuggles up on the couch with Ginger's 'mum' in exchange! They don't recognise walls. Luckily none of us humans mind.
I love this