Get off my property!

[MrsSmith]

For the last week or two, when I get home, I've noticed 2 cats toward the back of the house. They run away as soon as we walk up or even shine the lights from the car. However, I want to know how to stop them from coming back. I don't want to kill them, just keep them off of our property. Suggestions?

[Kristeen]

You could check your city (or county) ordinances to see if their owners are breaking any rules. In our city cats are not supposed to be let outside, so technically we could call the city if we get tired of our neighbor's randy tom calling for our 3 kitties and spraying our bushes. Other than that, I'm not sure there's anything you can do to keep them off your property successfully. I've heard some people use The Bottle Trick (http://www.doctorgreenfingers.co.uk/Pest_control_Cats_Ants_Dogs_Slugs_Snails_Aphids/Keep_cats_away_cat_deterrents.html) with some success, but I can't say it's worked for us. Maybe someone knows of some kind of pet whistle you could install that's triggered by motion.

Article with suggestions on how to tactfully contact neighbors to determine who owns the cat and resolve the situation (http://www.nana.asn.au/n2-catout.htm)

ETA I found the pet whistle, might be worth the investment if the cats are really bothering you... http://www.planeturine.com/productpages/dsp_catscram.cfm?secondNav=prods

[greenbunny]

There are products you can buy that have smells that cats hate. Liquid Fence is one I've heard of, it's a spray.

There are some sold in pets stores that are intended to keep your pet cats off the furniture, but for outside you're going to need something stronger.

[Lizard]

Oh wow, I was JUST coming here to post the same thing. We have a cat that's coming around at night, that HATES our 3 cats. Any time we have the windows open, they all have a giant hissing & spitting match and I end up closing up all the windows and blinds. This has happened more than once, the latest time being last night. I have a pitcher of water and a spray bottle ready to go for next time. :)

[MrsSmith]

I've tried squirting them with water, but they run away before I even get close enough to do anything. So, they know they aren't supposed to be over here. The owners live several doors down and are never home. I'm actually not sure which house it is they they go to. I'm not sure if owners even know the cats are getting out. I've only seen them like once ever. That makes me think it'd be tough to catch up with them. I could leave a note, but who knows if they're respond to it. I'll check with the pet store to see if there's anything I can spray. Kristeen, thanks for the article. I might have to try that. Lizard, if you find a successful way to keep the cats away, let me know. These cats come over here to play, so I have to hear them hissing and screaming too. :rolleyes:

[greenbunny]

If you have cats, and strange cats are coming up to them through the window screens, like you were saying Lizard, you definitely need to find a way to get that stray to go away or else keep your windows closed. According to my vet, if they sniff each other through the screen, they can transmit disease through mucus. She asked if my cats sit in our windows and when I said yes, she said then they must be vaccinated for FeLV and feline leukemia even though they are indoor cats. There are also non-deadly diseases that can be passed this way, like upper respiratory infections.

[Lizard]

If you have cats, and strange cats are coming up to them through the window screens, like you were saying Lizard, you definitely need to find a way to get that stray to go away or else keep your windows closed. According to my vet, if they sniff each other through the screen, they can transmit disease through mucus. She asked if my cats sit in our windows and when I said yes, she said then they must be vaccinated for FeLV and feline leukemia even though they are indoor cats. There are also non-deadly diseases that can be passed this way, like upper respiratory infections.

This is what I'm most worried about. :( Our cats are fully vaccinated, as it's required here in NE, but I know that's not a failsafe. Not to mention, I don't want them to fight so bad that they loosen a window screen. One of our cats got out of a basement window after that screen came loose... I can't help but think it has to do with that damn stray cat.

I will look into that Liquid Fence as well... if it won't affect our indoor cats at all, then it might be worth a try.

[greenbunny]

Lizard, you can also try keeping your cats out of the windows by putting Scatmats (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=goo&cm_pla=unknown&cm_ite=sku&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032911&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775467&bmUID=1126883780779) on the sills. Or you can try tinfoil or buy some of that plastic spikey carpet at Home Depot and turn it upside down.

[Mindy3094]

How about trying a motion activated sprinkler at the cat's entry point to your yard? Of course, that assumes that you know where the cat is coming in. If you could figure out a good spot, I would think that would do the trick.

Motion Activated Sprinkler
http://www.brookstone.com/bs_assets/images/shop/large_300/198317_p.jpg
Motion-activated sprinkler deters animals. Keeps flower beds and shrubs off-limits for pets and other visitors. Infrared sensor detects animals up to 35 feet away and the sprinkler emits a 3-second (2 cup) burst of water. The combination of sudden noise, movement and spraying water sends animals scurrying. Its adjustable sprinkler head covers a 10° - 360° area and sprays up to 45 feet. Runs for a season on 2 9-Volt batteries (not included); 2 of item #130138.

At Brookstone.com

[Lil_Mrs_0702]

I'm sorry but that picture belongs in a goofy email!!! LOL. I'm thinking of getting one of those for my inlaws!!

[greenbunny]

That looks like a bidet for animals, the way that dog is posed.

[December27JJB]

How about trying a motion activated sprinkler at the cat's entry point to your yard? Of course, that assumes that you know where the cat is coming in. If you could figure out a good spot, I would think that would do the trick.

Motion Activated Sprinkler
http://www.brookstone.com/bs_assets/images/shop/large_300/198317_p.jpg


At Brookstone.com


LOL I love this! I know DH will love it because he hates it when the neighbor's dog poops in out front yard...these poops are HUGE! Ew!

[JoyfulGirl]

With my luck I would be the one to activate that sprinkler more than the cats ever did... :rolleyes: :D

I'm trying this trick this week. My aunt told me she got a cottage cheese container (or something similar) and put about an inch of water and a good dose of bleach in it, put a hole in the lid (not so big that the cat could drink it) and set it in unobtrusive places in her yard. They hate the smell of bleach, and I guess just a few of these containers have kept her yard clear. She has battled cats for years and swears by this.

I think the cats in my neighborhood are mentally disturbed. They try to climb my car?! :eek: I'm trying this trick to see if it works.

JoyfulGirl
:D

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I think the cats in my neighborhood are mentally disturbed. They try to climb my car?! :eek: I'm trying this trick to see if it works.Kooky story. I put my kitten to sleep on a Friday. The next week, my other was diagnosed as a diabetic, so I took him to the to learn the ropes of insulin injections on Wednesday, and my mother tagged along. At that point, I was still really upset over the kitten. I go to pull out of my parking space at the vet, and I look up. On the windshield in the dusty/dirty area where the wiper bladers cannot reach, there appear to be pawprints. I'm freaked out, so my comment was on her way up to heaven, apparently my kitty had to walk up and over the car ;) My mother responded "oh... my... don't sh*t with me" and started bawling. I pulled out, drove home, and finally said "hey mom, was Morris outside on the car?" My mother went to her mom's house that weekend in the country where they allow the cats to roam outside, and he likes high places so he can jump the trees to get the squirrels. That was my grandma's cat's pawprint, not my angel cat ;)

But, cats do climb up cars. I'm not sure if this is true or an urban legend, but cats can climb under the hood or something of that nature because the area is warm, and when you go to start the car, you end up severely hurting or killing the cat.

[JoyfulGirl]

I don't mind if they climb up on top of my car to get warm, etc. Hey, I would too if I had to live outside! :D This cat tried it with it's claws out all the way up the side of my Honda Accord?? :rolleyes: It was seriously disturbed, I think. At least now I can park in my garage. I would hate it if they climbed up underneath the hood and I started my car not knowing it.

JoyfulGirl

[katmg]

Cats totally climb cars. We often have cat prints on our cars. I especially like it when I look out my moon roof and see little paw prints. ;)

[greenbunny]

Our old neighbors had indoor/outdoor cats that would sit on the lady's brand-new Camaro and she would have fits. She left the hood open all the time to keep them from laying on it. Then they just laid on the roof instead. :rolleyes:

[BethElena]

We joked with my mom when I used to live at home about our cat Middy and cars. Middy is pitch black and loves to "hide" in cars if you leave a window or door open. One day my brother drove partly down the road when Middy popped up on the passenger seat -- he nearly pee'd his pants!! :D

sorry - off the track - but i don't have any recommendations. cats are animals -- they do whatever they want to do.

[Sophia]

I've tried squirting them with water, but they run away before I even get close enough to do anything. So, they know they aren't supposed to be over here.

No, they know you're a stranger. Cats don't understand property boundaries.

I'd go with the motion activated sprinkler--it's seems most likely to work for you.

I think the cats in my neighborhood are mentally disturbed. They try to climb my car?!

This is completely normal behavior. Cats like to lounge on "high ground," like tree branches, roofs, or cars.

cats are animals -- they do whatever they want to do.

*nodding*

In fact, in many localities, the laws define cats as "wild animals" and exempts them from leash laws and the like.

[NotDesperate]

Well the neighbor's next to my mom let their big dog pee and poop on her lawn on a daily basis. They have huge lawns too for a neighborhood (almost an acre each) and the dog comes right over and does it's business and goes home. My mom is just too nice (and hates confrontation) to say anything.

GRrrr!!