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

Original poster

My cat is bullying other cats in the village

48 replies

GingerPigz · 25/01/2023 05:19

Really need some advice. Our 7 yr old neutered Tom cat seems to have taken to entering other people's houses and bullying/fighting their cats (I have been made aware of this via the village fb page). Apparently he hisses, spits and howls when approached and (understandably) people are annoyed and upset by him. He has been down in the dumps lately (confirmed by the vet - nothing medically wrong with him. Might be weather related as he is a Spanish rescue cat) but not sure if that is related. Am keeping him in at the moment but that is making him even more depressed. Any ideas on how to resolve the issue (bar building him a catio - DH would never agree to that, he wants me to rehome him). Thanks

OP posts:
Logoplanter · 25/01/2023 05:58

I think I'd let people know that you are happy for people to spray him with a water gun if he's coming into their gardens and they are unhappy about it. That should help prevent him getting into people's houses and upsetting their cats.

I'd do this carefully though; pop round and have a chat with the people rather than put a general message on the Facebook page.

In terms of him being depressed maybe try some feliway plugs. It helps stressed cats and may help cheer him up. Do you play with him? Maybe spend half an hour every night playing with him too.

PortiasBiscuit · 25/01/2023 06:03

He’s too cat, behaving like a top cat. Cats have hierarchies, in any area they sort themselves out and they kind of have to be left to get on with it. I would suggest asking people to sp

Guavafish1 · 25/01/2023 06:05

Not much you can do!

There is usually an alpha cat in every area. Near my parents home, there is an aggressive orange tabby that rules the roost for 10 years.

Where I live the alpha cat is short hair grey cat. He comes into our house and sometimes eat my cats food!

PortiasBiscuit · 25/01/2023 06:06

Spray him is the best idea.
No true cat lover would expect you to get rid of him because he is coming in their house. He should stop fighting other cats once the hierarchy is established, though he may nip through the cat flap and nick their food.

sjxoxo · 25/01/2023 06:14

Just say they can spray him with water if he enters their homes. Is he getting plenty to eat at home? If he’s hungry he might be entering for food- you could make sure he’s not peckish in the hope he doesn’t go inside other houses. Beyond that He’s just being a cat! He won’t forget it if they give him a little spray with water, he’ll get the message pronto Xx

Campervangirl · 25/01/2023 06:26

He's the boss of his neighbourhood and everyone just has to accept the fact!
My ndn cat is exactly the same, he rules the street, fights other cats, lays in the middle of the pavement and won't move, not for people or even dogs, my dog walks round him with his head down and won't make eye contact me, I've watched women with buggies walk in the road to get round him, he lays across my drive and won't move for my car even when I toot him, he also sits on my doorstep and won't let me in my own house, I've even found him asleep on my bed!
I agree with ops to put a message out suggesting water pistols to deter him or even motion detector sensors.
He's a cat, I wouldn't rehome him, he's a character.
Your DH and neighbours need to realise your dcat is king and everyone else is his slaves.
Not much help am I, sorry 😉

Original poster
GingerPigz · 25/01/2023 07:09

Thanks for all your replies. I did suggest the water spray and they have said that they use it and whilst it stops him fighting he stands his ground and refuses to leave (they could still chase him out as that would definitely work). They also complained about their wet lounge. The obvious answer is to get a chip cat flap so he can't get in and someone else suggested it on the fb post so hopefully they will take heed. He is a greedy cat but has dry food out all day to graze so not without nourishment. It would seem it's happening more at night so shall keep him in overnight when possible. Wish you understanding lot were my neighbours - I know it's just turf wars but can appreciate their annoyance. Thanks again

OP posts:
Sunriseinwonderland · 25/01/2023 07:14

My neighbours cat does this. Comes in and terrorises my cat, she is a CF. I like her but I'm afraid she gets water pistolled if she comes in.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 25/01/2023 07:17

Microchip cat flaps are the answer.

Tontostitis · 25/01/2023 07:25

I had a massive ginger Tom that terrorised the neighbour hood cats and owners. He also sat outside and recieved his due due homage before and after school, every single day, from all passing children. I once saw a very young girl carrying him like a baby.

He got better after he was neutered but not much but he did get better with age. I just apologised if anyone complained. He was 17 when he passed, a terror fir maybe 5 of those years, and I still really miss him.

Beercrispsandnuts · 25/01/2023 07:26

My friends cat is like this, he even tries to fight dogs, and she had a neighbour complain her dog was scared of him, as the cat liked to come to her garden and go for the dog, he’s constantly coming home with wounds from fighting, it costs her a fortune in vet bills. She’s now got several bells round his neck so folks can hear him coming and he can’t sneak up. He’s like a little musical villain now. 😂

it’s just his personality, other than owners spraying there really isn’t much that can be done.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 25/01/2023 07:29

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 25/01/2023 07:17

Microchip cat flaps are the answer.

Not really. If your neighbourhood thug cat will also make efforts to break in through any open doors and windows.
This is not my cat 😹.

Being serious OP, keeping him in at night is probably not a bad idea if this is when he is most troublesome.

My cat is bullying other cats in the village
JofraArchersFastestBall · 25/01/2023 07:31

We used to get cats coming in through our cat flap when we lived in an urban area. I never thought to blame the owners - if you have cats and let them outside (hence the cat flap) you should know that the owners can't really control their behaviour once they're out.

A sureflap cat flap sorted it, and made our cats feel much more secure.

TellMeWhere · 25/01/2023 07:32

I'd always keep mine in at night anyway and i have a smart cat flap. Can you catproof the garden? There's fencing you can get.

TellMeWhere · 25/01/2023 07:36

With the smart cat flap though (sureflap), if your beast is determined, they can actually learn how to wrench it open... there's a knack mine discovered.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 25/01/2023 07:46

I know you said your DH won't agree to a catio but what about cat proof fencing?

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 25/01/2023 07:48

Definitely keep in at night, at the very least, if he's as aggressive as you say. If you can cat proof your garden even better.

It's all very well saying it's just cat behaviour but tbh I'd be worried for his safety if there's already community 'rumblings' about him.

There's a thug cat here, and I once saw him attack my cat while he was asleep in our garden, so no provocation. He's known for it apparently. It cost us over 1k in vet bills over 12 months before our cat passed away. It wasn't just scrapping, it was proper fighting. Once when I went to chase him away he went for me instead, and I ended up in minor injuries needing wounds cleaning and antibiotics. I lost the feeling in 2 fingers for 18 months as he'd damaged nerves in my hand with a bite.

There's fighting cats, and then there's fighting cats. And with the really bad ones people (not me, I hasten to add!) do sometimes take extreme action.

iloveeverykindofcat · 25/01/2023 07:50

Is this him?

My cat is bullying other cats in the village
My cat is bullying other cats in the village
dudsville · 25/01/2023 07:53

It's not fair on your neighbours to ask them to manage this situation by spraying him. In better weather i would have doors and windows open but wouldn't be standing guard waiting to deter your cat from my property, not should i have to. It's a selfish neighbour who expects everyone around then to help manage their lifestyle choices. You sound thoughtful and considerate. I think the solution is to manage your pet on your property, i.e. the catio. Your DH needs to open his heart more to helping his pet live a happy life!

BoxOfCats · 25/01/2023 08:43

TellMeWhere · 25/01/2023 07:36

With the smart cat flap though (sureflap), if your beast is determined, they can actually learn how to wrench it open... there's a knack mine discovered.

Sureflap do have a modification for this - if you contact their customer service team they can send you a modified part that you can swap out. It doesn't look quite as nice but it did stop one of mine from hooking her claw under the closing mechanism to break out.

Snugglemonkey · 25/01/2023 08:58

GingerPigz · 25/01/2023 07:09

Thanks for all your replies. I did suggest the water spray and they have said that they use it and whilst it stops him fighting he stands his ground and refuses to leave (they could still chase him out as that would definitely work). They also complained about their wet lounge. The obvious answer is to get a chip cat flap so he can't get in and someone else suggested it on the fb post so hopefully they will take heed. He is a greedy cat but has dry food out all day to graze so not without nourishment. It would seem it's happening more at night so shall keep him in overnight when possible. Wish you understanding lot were my neighbours - I know it's just turf wars but can appreciate their annoyance. Thanks again

Are you going to buy them all a cat flap he cannot get through? Because it is your cat and to me the obvious answer is that you resolve this and stop being a menace to your neighbours. I would absolutely not be understanding about this. Keep him in or build a catio.

ifonly4 · 25/01/2023 09:00

He's probably more likely to enter homes when people are asleep and it's quiet, so if you genuinely want to try and help others, might be worth keeping him in then. Maybe post on facebook you're doing this in an attempt to reduce the problem.

Is he ok in his home environment? Our local neighbourhood bully went for my slipper the other day when I tried to chase away from cat flap - I grapped a bamboo cain (not to hit him with I would add) but he was still doing his best to get under me waving it in an attempt to get to me again. His owner thinks he's an angel. Sadly I can't raise this most recent issue with her as her DH is seriously ill.

Brokenmiata · 26/01/2023 11:03

Keep him in... Our country is literally one of the only one who doesn't have an issue with cats being outside and killing wildlife 😂. Build an extension on the fence that leans inward so he can't get out of the garden so he gets some outdoor time but can't terrorise neighbours. He's going to end up being injured or something by someone who has had enough and you can't expect the entire village to change things to accommodate YOUR pet.

britnay · 26/01/2023 11:46

How long have you had him and how long has it been since he was neutered? Was it done in this country? Has he been blood tested to check his testosterone levels?

gubrbi · 26/01/2023 11:58

Not much you can do, cats do what they want! Best option is to keep him in at night like you said if this is when he's harassing the neighbours