Invasive Cat

A couple quick suggestions. Lemon peels in the garden and to scare it away...make noise with a coffee can containing some pennies and/or spray with a household sprayer full of water or window cleaner.

Ditto on the spray bottle method, it totally works. We had this problem with the neighbors cats using my kids sandbox as a litter box. So, I got BIG jars of cayenne pepper from the warehouse store (BJ's Cocso) and sprinkled it along the perimeter of the yard. It gets on their paws and is very uncomfortable. I did this for about two weeks, and the cats found somewhere else to do their business. Good luck :)

First of all, I would not leave my doors or screens open. I would not allow the cat to get in. I would not feed her at all, and I would hope she would find a new place to play.

If you call the authorities, you will be the bad guy.

A.
unfortunately neither you or your neighbor can do anything about where the cat wanders. you can try to keep him away by squirting him with a watergun everytime you see him in your yard. you will also need to keep your screen door shut to keep him out of your house.

I would keep a squirt gun or bottle at your door. Whenever you see kitty approach make a shrill hiss or shoo sound and squirt her in the face. Do it every time and she should back off.

I hate to say this - but I dont think there is much you can do about it. I wouldnt be rude to your neighbor about it either - she too has no real control over her cat... other than putting it on a leash and keeping it indoors (which she probably should do).

Is there any way you can visit your local pet store and maybe do a little research on how to deterre the cat from your home?

Maybe the scent of another animal, ironically the hunting stores carry these little viles of another animals "scent" and maybe you can "sprinkle" it by your doors????? It should either occupy the cat or deterre it away.
Get one of those halloween noise makers - you know the ones that make noise when you walk by.... maybe it will startle the cat enough to make it run??? I dont know- sorry if my weird ideas arent what you are looking for.

This is an easy one ;)

You call the police and request animal control come pick up a stray cat that has gotten into your house. I guarantee you that will solve the problem.

I found a spray at Target for just a few dollars that worked wonders for my cats. They would eat my plants and jump up in my window sills and they were ruining my towels in my bathroom. You simply spray this on anything - walls, furniture, towels, linens, cabinets, plants etc. and there is a certain scent that we can't smell that repels the cat. It says that it is not harmful in anyway to animals or people. It can wear off after a few months and you can simply spray it again, but I never had that problem. I sprayed once and they never went back again. I believe it is designed to work indoors and outdoors, but maybe you have to spray more often outdoors due to the air and rain etc.

But at the very least I would spray all around your steps, doorway, if you have any decking, and so on.

I can't remember the exact name or brand, but it was the only one in the pet aisle at Target. I actually just picked up a bottle the other day for my grandparents to use on their cats.

Hope this helps!
A.

This sounds like a huge problem for you and not an issue of the owner of the cat. I guess if I were you, I would try to mention one more time to the owners and if nothing happens, call someone. The manager of your community, the authorities, animal control - I don't know. This is a health issue. If you are allergic and this cat comes into your house, in your bed...That is just disgusting. When you make your call, you could always "act" like it is a stray and you asked around the neighborhood, but to no avail. Something needs to be done. This is unacceptable, especially if they don't even let it in their house. They obviously don't care for the cat, so last resort, pack it up and take it to a shelter.

Good luck to you!!

Hi,
In response if this is an allergy problem and you have nicely asked them to do something about their cat and they refuse, then maybe a call to the local animal control would be the next step...if worried about them finding out who called dont give your name just let them know where they can find the cat and what it has been doing....after having to pay to get their cat out a few times they may want to keep it in and the problem will be solved or who knows maybe they will leave it at the shelter and both problems they may not have wanted to admit would be solved

There are some natural remedies you can try to keep the cat away from you house. Some cats don't like black pepper or pepermint oil or eucaliptus oil. if you trace outside around where the cat frequents or if the cat has a specific spot it trie to get in, lace the spot with tin foil. These are all things cats seem to not like or even fear.

Call your local animal control officer. They can be very helpful and your neighbor may listen better if it comes from a person in a position of authority. If you have tried to communicate with them and they haven't helped then I don't think there is anything wrong with seeking outside help!
You may even be able to do this anonymously- for all she knows the cat may be annoying other neighbors as well!
You could also dye her cat pink or shave it in stripes or something! That might send a clear message! :-)
-S.

We have been having exactly the same problem. Most of our neighbors let their cats roam wild (domesticated or not). They all like to poop in my herb garden. They also climb on my partner jeep and scratch the life out of it. What I have found effective and non injuring is to use Cayenne pepper on his jeep, as well as around the herb garden. The cats don't like the smell or the fact it gets on their paws. I have also read that cats may not like lavendar.

If that doesn't work, I know that there is also a completely natural, harmless cat repellent that you can order from online. It is 100% organic.

At the worst, you could try burying a couple of the organic diaper inserts around the outside of the garden. The smell might repel them from the area. They will decompose within a few weeks. It sounds crazy, but cats respect territorial boundaries.

Hope you find a solution!

C.

Just call animal control. We had a similar situation with a dog who was allowed to roam, but was kind of crazy and would bark at us. It freaked me out, especially being 9 months preg at the time. The police came right away. You shouldn't have to deal with this between you and your neighbor if that didn't create a resolution. Good luck!

Could you invite your neighbor over for tea and ask her kindly again to ensure that her cat does not come into your house. Tell her that you are sorry to ask her but explain the severity of your allergies. If she is unwilling to do so call animal control and let them retrieve the animal from your house and let her pay the bill- she will get the message real fast when it hits her wallet not her heart.

Does this pet policy include cats? I can't imagine leashing one!
No need to get nasty I don't think. Get yourself a squirt gun and hose the little stinker down. Animals tend to take hints better than people.

Hi A. - Well, my first thought is that maybe you close your doors.... Otherwise, if it continues, tell them you will have to take it to a higher authority (which seems be be behind you), if something isn't done.

i think fox urine works, you can get it at a pet supply or hardware store and its main use is for warding off skunks and raccoons. I believe you have to reapply after a big rain, but maybe the cat will get the hint. good luck this sounds like a nightmare situation.

Ask your neighbor to help you catch the cat every time it gets in the house. Every time. If she's outside, you can plop your kids with her and ask her to watch them while you catch the cat. If she refuses or if you can't catch the cat in 2 minutes, call Animal Control and ask for assistance. Say your husband is deployed and you're so sorry, you just need another pair of hands because you can't leave your 2 year old alone while you crawl under beds, etc. You can tell the Animal Control, when he arrives, that you like your neighbor and don't want to cause trouble, and you like animals and don't want this cat to get hurt or lost or confused. Then let A.C. handle your neighbor - they are used to doing this. If your neighbor gets upset with you, you can just say "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I just didn't know what to do and I didn't want to bother you again." You're going to have to settle this - obviously your child can't play over at that house if allergic reactions are such a problem. This cat may be picking up something outdoors that you are allergic to as well.

I'm not sure if I understand about the screen door - is it open all the way, or is the cat just scooting in when you go out? Hopefully the regular door is open and the air is coming through the closed screen door. If the screen is open all the time, you'll be letting in bugs too! Do you have a baby gate you can use somehow? Maybe the cat can't get over it. I think there are some natural, non-toxic sprays you can use on your plants to deter the cat - same thing people use for rabbits and deer. Maybe you can spray it on the threshold of your doorway and repel the cat.

Good luck.

Good luck!

There are lots of cat repellent products and you could try spraying some around your doors (they are non-toxic and not noticeable to humans - we have used them on furniture with no smell, stains, etc.)
Good luck!!

Try squirting the cat with a spray bottle of water. It won't hurt the cat - but they HATE it. If it gets squirted every time it comes in your yard, it will learn to avoid your territory.

I have to agree with the squirt bottle technique or the coins in a can you can shake. Cats hate both the noise and the water. I'm afraid the roaming animal laws pertain to dogs, not cats - you might want to check with your town hall, but we had a cat problem years ago and I found that to be the case in our town. I definately agree with others who suggest you keep the screen door closed (and locked - you are alone in the house with two toddlers - your safety is paramount)to avoid the cat in your house. It would be much worse to make an enemy next door when you are really in need of an ally. Good luck!!

aversion therapy have a spray bottle of water handy every time the cat comes in your yard or house spray it. The cat will soon learn your house = wet and stay away. L.

Hi A. -

I would try getting a little spray bottle filled with water. Squirt the water in the cats face - they (generally) don't like it. Obviously, water does no harm and maybe it will keep her away. Your neighbor never has to know! It really isn't fair for this to be a problem to you. Good luck!

I hate to say it but you really need to nip this problem in the butt. I worked for a property management company for almost three years and most properties do not allow wandering cats or dogs. I would call the management company and complain to them about the problem. They will most likely send her a fine for the "violation" of rules in your community. I know that when we fined owners it was normally $25.00 per fine and if that is daily it can really add up pretty quick and the problem should stop. If not ask the management company to come and remove the cat. I assume you pay "common fees" to your community and if the neighbor dosent pay the violations the community will often add the charge for the violation to the common fee, in turn causing late fees if not paid. No one wants to make trouble with their neighbors but if its causing you to have to live uncomfortably it isnt fair to you or your family. I'm fortunate enough to be able to live in the woods with very few people living around us and we dont have any allergies, thank god. Good luck

K. B

Hi A.- how frustrated you must be!
I would approach you neighbor again. This time simply tell her if they do not comply by keeping their cat in, & not leashed, that you will go to the community association with this. Even further, if it doesnt seem to get better, i'd call animal control or even the police dept. Some people just dont get it, try doing whatever you can to MAKE her get it! You & your daughters health is at risk!

I would look at way to deter the cat from entering your property. There are several plants you can plant that they hate (see your local nursery). Then there are sprays you can spray on surfaces that they don't like. I would get a spray bottle and put a bit of that in it and chase it out of your house with that. The next thing to do is get a quote on fencing (there are fences with special tops on them to keep cats in your yard). And give them to the neighbour. If the neighbour isn't going to do anything about it I'd be inclined to get this fencing added to my property. This should also keep her out.

Perhaps you need to encourage the cat to visit other neighbours rather than you so they can all complain to her also... A tin of sardines tossed around the neighbourhood should do this for you.

If all else fails get a trap and send her cat to the pound everytime you catch it. These costs alone should make her do something.

If a frank discussion with the neighbour hasn't made her do anything about the problem I'd be inclined to discontinue the friendship for you and your child. If they don't have the courtesy to obey the rules of the neighbourhood or consider yours and your daughters health important then really what type of friend are they? Certainly not one I'd like to have.