Trying to break in the cat flap

[susan]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined tonight and have been made very welcome and am hoping some-one may have an idea to solve my problem.

I have an 11 yr old cat (male and neutered), and about 18 months ago I had a magnetic cat flap fitted. A few months ago a local cat tried to get in and since has regularly come back and frantically pounds on the flap. My cat has fought it once but mostly is terrified. I've tried blocking off the flap but that made my cat spray all over the house (and I'm repeatedly told neutered cats don't smell but this one and my last boy prove that wrong!). I've tried throwing water over it but by the time I get the door open it's run away. It usually happens very late at night as well so I'm quite often in bed.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as my cat won't go out anymore and gets quite stir crazy!

Thanks
Susan

[annabelle]

Hello Susan ..

Cats HATE citrus fruits, especially grapefruit, they wont go near it. Why not try rubbing half a grapefruit around the outside of the catflap before you go to bed, it might get the message.

[valerie]

Originally Posted by annabelle

Hello Susan ..

Cats HATE citrus fruits, especially grapefruit, they wont go near it. Why not try rubbing half a grapefruit around the outside of the catflap before you go to bed, it might get the message.

This is a good tip, except for the fact that you'll have to keep
"refreshing" it.

For your cat, I think what you should try is some stimulus for his
brain, play games, etc. and have on hand plenty of toys. Drag
something around for him to chase, get treats and have him do
something to get them...

For the spraying, there's not really anything you can do at this point.
Sometimes it helps to have them neutered at 6 months but then not
always. And I've never known one who DIDN'T smell, neutered or not.

Me, I would not have anything but an indoor kitty anyway, too much
can happen to them. And a girl kitty, at that!!

There are commercial "kitty no" sprays you can use, too.

Welcome to the Garden, this is one of the funniest thread titles I've
seen in a long time!!

It sounded sort of naughty to me, but then what doesn't?

[BabyRider]

Keeping one cat away from your kitty door while trying to encourage your own cat to use it is not going to be easy. You don't want to use anything that your own cat will be affected by. It seems to me that you will have to catch the little bugger red-pawed, and dousing it with water would be a good deterrent. I have to think on this one for a bit and I'll get back to you with an idea.

[susan]

hi guys thanks for the replies

I thought of fruit too but as BabyRider said I want my cat to be able to go out so would put him off even more, he has loads of toys and we play all the time, but up to this happening he's had 10 years of playing out usually for hours at a time, so the playing helps but is not enough for him, he watches out of the window a lot and I can tell he's desperate to get out there. He does go out if I open the door but as I work this is only when I'm able.

Will keep trying with the water and hope the neighbours don't think I've lost the plot cause the cat is usually away when I get out so I just look like I'm throwing water about in the middle of the night!

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by susan

I have an 11 yr old cat (male and neutered), and about 18 months ago I had a magnetic cat flap fitted. A few months ago a local cat tried to get in and since has regularly come back and frantically pounds on the flap.

Have you got a pressure-washer?

[woppy71]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

Have you got a pressure-washer?

[susan]

4.38am....woken by the shrieking....pressure washer sounding good....

[Rain]

The man next door to us threw moth balls all over the place. PU! But... it's kept the cats from crudding all over his flowers. Maybe you could take a moth ball and (with gloves) rub some of it on the outside of your cat door? I'd be worried about ants if I rubbed a piece of fruit on the door. You definately have a problem. Is the annoying cat a stray? or a neighbors? You might mention it to the neighbor. Afterall, communication is everything in life. Please keep us posted. I'm curious how you work this out.

BTW, I'm new too