Discouraging an intruder

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Another cat has been sneaking into our house via LandingCat's cat flap for a few weeks. We have never had a microchip cat flap but it's never been a problem before as LandingCat is a bit of a bruiser; however this one doesn't seem to be deterred, either by getting seen off by LandingCat or (less noisily and aggressively) by us. He's also a ninja: generally the first we know about it is hearing him leave, and seeing his fluffy rear end exiting the premises. He seems to watch and wait till LandingCat is out on manoeuvres as he's only been caught out by him twice, but I often see him blinking at me through the cat flap and have to chase him off.

I've moved the cat food dishes further away from the kitchen door so they're not temptingly in view but that hasn't made any difference, nor does the fact that there's rarely any food left out in the dishes. Other than replacing the cat flap with a microchip version (no DIY skills and can't find one that's the same size - really don't want to have to buy a new door!) is there anything at all we can try to put NinjaCat off?

[pasbeaucoupdegendarme]

We have a similar problem with our neighbour’s cat. She’s such a pain that they shut her out all day… the problem is that she then is obsessed with getting into our house via any means possible. If we have windows open (upstairs or down) we have to station someone on catwatch, and woe betide anyone who is found to have left the back door open when they come into the garden.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Oh, and we don't have a shed or any other outbuilding to put food in for him (there are loads of cats around so whether he'd get any of it is doubtful anyway.)

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

@Athenajm80 no chance I could get near enough to put a collar on (or even take a photo) - he really is a ninja. The closest I've got is when we were on opposite sides of the cat flap - I have never managed to see him outside and usually only hear him exit the premises, don't see more than his rear end if I peek round the door.

I'll try posting about him on social media before contacting the cat rescue, but it's hard when I can't post a picture or give much of a description or give any idea when he's likely to show up.

[Supersimkin2]

Ninja cat likely needs rescuing, sorry to say.

[Athenajm80]

If you post on your local FB lost and found cat page you may find someone who has a trap and scanner who can help. They're usually linked to a local rescue but not working for them.

Failing that, if you can catch NinjaCat, try putting a paper collar on him (i think templates are available on RSPCA or Cats Protection website) so if he does have a home, the owners can contact you.

Do you have a shed or somewhere you could put food for him? It may stop him coming inside if he has food outside. I know not everyone can afford this, I probably couldn't for more than a week, but I'm just trying to think of ways to help all of you.

I'd start with FB if you or someone you know are on there. You may need to search a few different group names - locally we have "lost & found pets x city" "lost and found cats x city" "lost pets y area" etc.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

@BarbaraofSeville I didn't know chip-activated feeders existed - thanks, will possibly try that before going nuclear on the (timber, fairly new) door!

@Fluffycloudland77 yes, we think NinjaCat must be a stray. I feel very sorry for it and to be honest, if he's wasn't stressing LandingCat out I might be inclined to let him in for food. Our local cat rescue are very very busy and even if they could supply a trap, there are loads of cats in the area so I don't know how easy it would be to catch him and not one of the neighbours' pets.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Is ninja cat a stray who can’t support himself through hunting?

[BarbaraofSeville]

Sometimes you don't need a whole new door, you can just replace the panel that the cat flap is installed in - depends on the design of the door, but in the past we've paid £25 ish for a plain upvc panel from the factory shop and DPs just swapped it over.

Alternatively, you could get a microchip activated food bowl that is only accessible to LandingCat and remains locked out to NinjaCat.

www.surepetcare.com/en-gb/pet-feeder

Sounds to me like NinjaCat might be a stray tom. You might be able to find a local rescue who will cover of neutering and possibly either rehoming if he's friendly, or a place on a farm or stables where he can hunt rodents if not.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

I think we may have to resort to that too @TheGirlInTheGreenDress - assuming we can find one to fit the same size of hole in the door!

[TheGirlInTheGreenDress]

I had a similar issue. I moved my cats’ bowl to upstairs but Intruder cat was brave / rude enough to explore the whole house to find where I’d moved the food to. Got a microchip flap in the end. I felt sorry for the intruder but he was fighting with mine so I felt I had to protect them.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

NinjaCat was back tonight, with what looks like a neck injury (bloodied/matted fur) so I suspect he's been trying his luck elsewhere too. I felt very sorry for him but stared him down through the cat flap, me inside, him sitting outside, and after a bit of blinking at me, he skulked off. Our cat has been out all evening but will no doubt reappear soon so I hope he isn't hiding in our garden waiting for another chance!

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Thanks all. If we shut the food bowls in another room our own cat won't be able to access them so I don't think we can do that. He tends to finish his food quickly but needs fresh water, especially in the warm weather. I hope that water alone won't be as appealing to NinjaCat but we'll see!

[DontKeepTheFaith]

We use a water pistol for our unwanted intruder. That’s not via the cat flap though, they sneak in the back door when we leave it open. Obviously water pistol is less use inside a house🤣

Our Dcat is not a cat person herself and will chase other cats away but if they are bold and stand their ground like this one, she will just sit and watch them go past her in to the house, looking to me to sort it out🤣

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

Shut the food bowls in a room that isn't accessible via the cat flap?

[TroysMammy]

Could you remove the food bowls when your cat has finished eating?

My cat had a friend who would come into the house, ignore any food left out and sit in front of the sideboard in the living room where the cat nip is kept waiting to get stoned.