Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Just a quick back story - got my cat in October. She was a stray kitten (6 monthish at the time so she is about a year old now) I tried everything I could to make this cat an indoor cat but she was going crazy in the house, I couldn't train her she was constantly on the dinner table and counters. Spray bottles and aluminum foil didn't work. When I started letting her out during the day she was like a different cat, happy as a clam and so much better behaved when she's inside now. Doesn't jump on my furniture or destroy things anymore.

My neighbor has 2 lap dogs. I'm not sure the breed but they are smapl white dogs and bark like mad at anything. The one even barks at me from the yard when I am in my own house opening the windows.

The wife approached me today very nicely (we are very friendly) and told me the husband is not happy because my cat goes to her door trying to play with the dogs and the one dog goes crazy. They are afraid that when they let the dog out my cat will try to defend herself and swipe at the dog. I told her that I wouldn't be able to keep her inside 24/7 but would make sure she is inside whrn we arent home and what else ,would I do ? And she said oh if you hear my dogs barking would you mind just checking to see if the cat is at the door and come get her. I told her I would keep a better eye on her but the thing is she is a cat the kind of do what they want.

I told my husband and he thinks the whole thing is ridiculous my cat loves the outdoors but I think the best thing to do is let her out when the guy is at work and keep the cat inside in the evenings because the last thing I want is conflict with neighbors over something stupid its just not worth it.

To be honest this is my first pet so I'm not sure if there is some kind of "neighbor etiquette" regarding cats lol just wondering if anyone else has any suggestions all my other neighbors love my cat I got her from the neighbor across and she plays with their dogs and the dog on the other side of me...

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I'll go first, but I can't stand having cats on my property. There's 2 in our neighborhood that somebody must take care of, and we've tried everything to keep them away.

I'm not sure how to handle the situation, but I wouldn't be happy with your cat on my property either-I think she approached you very nicely.

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I too think she approached you very nicely about it but honestly what can you do about it? Keeping the cat inside obviously is not what makes the cat the happiest and the last thing you want is a spiteful pet in your home. You said you would try to do your best at keeping her away so I don't see what other practical solution there is. And not for nothing, but if the dogs are barking at your cat than I'm sure they bark at every squirrel, bird or other cat the goes by too.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I'll put it right out there that I hate that my neighbors cats hang in my backyard and use it as their litter box...but think about it from her perspective...what if her dogs were going into your backyard and sitting by your back door and making your cat go crazy. I imagine it is frustrating for her, especially if her dogs are barkers. I don't have answers but if someone could come up with a way to keep cats in (or out) of people's yards, they would make a mint!!

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I too hate cats. DH is allergic and I also have a small dog that wants to hunt cats. We have an issue with a neighbor currently feeding like 30 stray cats. Numerous neighbors have complained to the homeowner and town and now animal control is involved. 2 of the cats are ALWAYS in my yard. Have broken ash trays and out door glass items from jumping on my things. We also find cat feces in multiple areas of our property daily. My dog has also ingested cat feces (I saw her and ran to stop her but she swallowed quickly) and then subsequently was sick. My property is fenced in but we have seen these cats get in through a hole in the fence we have to fix. Now my problem is no where near your neighbors issue, however I would still be annoyed with a cat on my property. I think she was nice about it, however, I do believe all animals should be able to do what makes them happy and be outside. Do you have a fence? Is there maybe a way of getting an outdoor cat pen so she can still enjoy the outdoors but be more contained? Not sure if this exits? I would try and contain her so you don't have a disgruntled neighbor and everyone can be happy :) good luck! It's tough owning a pet!!

Message edited 4/24/2016 8:44:52 PM.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I would work on making your cat an indoor cat. The lifespan is greatly reduced when cats are free roaming. Now would be the time to do it (based on the age you said).

I've always had indoor cats, but I did have one outdoor cat. She didn't go far and she eventually became an indoor cat because birds would attack her. She also got attacked by dogs. She did live to 18, though.

I know you said that cats do what they want, but I've had really good luck with training cats. A simple finger wag, positive reinforcement, and a firm no works wonders. I'd give it a try to train your cat to be indoors.

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

TBH I wouldn't be happy with other people's pets on my property either. Sorry!

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I have three cats and I do not let my cats outside because I don't want to have conflict with my neighbors as well as I am afraid of them getting injured. My youngest is 1 1/2 old and he loves the outdoors. We usually leave the windows or the front door open with the screen/window so they can look out. In everyone's best interest it would be smart to keep your cat indoors. When my cats cry to go outside or start scratching at the door I just say no and he walks away. Your neighbor was extremely nice to come and talk to you about the issue.

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

MRS is your cat spayed/neutered? if not getting him/her might help with keeping her/him inside.

I cant say I would have an issues with cats on property per say, I don't like them pooping on my lawn either but many dog owners allow their dogs to poop and never clean up. Cats seem to get the short end of the stick :)

you can try keeping her/her active by playing more with her, tire her out and maybe she wont want to go out. Speak with you vet, maybe they have some tricks.

Good luck.

Message edited 4/24/2016 9:51:44 PM.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I agree with everyone else.

One thing I would be very concerned about is her dog getting ahold of the cat

ETS: Can you look into a cat enclosure for the yard?

Message edited 4/24/2016 10:03:32 PM.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Posted by Mrs213

Posted by hmm

MRS is your cat spayed/neutered? if not getting him/her might help with keeping her/him inside.

I cant say I would have an issues with cats on property per say, I don't like them pooping on my lawn either but many dog owners allow their dogs to poop and never clean up. Cats seem to get the short end of the stick :)

you can try keeping her/her active by playing more with her, tire her out and maybe she wont want to go out. Speak with you vet, maybe they have some tricks.

Good luck.

Omg I completely forgot to mention that they let the dogs in the front sometimes and they run on my lawn and poop

But yes we had her spayed in December

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I would not be happy with anyone's pet on my property. As a former dog owner for many years, it was my responsibility to keep my dog leashed, pick up after it, and not leave it outside at all hours to bark and annoy my neighbors. I think you could get a super long leash twenty or thirty feet and attach it to your cats collar. The cat can roam your yard, but not leave. I do feel it is your responsibility as a neighbor to teach your cat how to behave.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I'll start by staying that I love cats. With that being said, I'd be nervous about the fact that these neighbors clearly don't like your cat. I've heard stories about outdoor cars just disappearing or dying after being poisoned most likely by cat hating neighbors. Then a few months ago, there was a story about a indoor/outdoor cat in San Jose, CA that was beaten with a bat..he lived but needed major surgery.

How much time does he need outside? Is there anyway you can walk him outside on a leash or something? I know it sounds silly but given that the neighbors already expressed frustration, I'd be a little nervous unless you are 100% certain that they absolutely would never harm an animal.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Try to keep her indoors, more for her safety than anything else. I had an indoor/outdoor and he got severely hurt on one occassion when someone kicked him and fractured his pelvis. He was gone for two days before finally makin it home. A few years later he got into a fight with another tom and was bit it the face and developed a nasty infection. After that, it was strictly indoors.

It's hard. Make sure she has room and toys to play inside and also something to climb on and perch high up. I have a little tower that sits in front of my living room window so my girl can lay there and look out the window. If she really needs to be outside, put her on a harness and walk her in your yard.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Growing up, we had 2 cats-an indoor and an outdoor cat. We tried everything to get the outdoor cat to stay inside. He was just an outdoor cat. Funny thing is, this cat only wanted to go out at night. Yes, he did get in some scrapes and such but he still wanted to go out every night. We would joke he was going out to party. When we would wake up in the morning, he was sprawled out in front of the door with his belly up sleeping. It always looked like he had partied all night. We'd scoop him up and bring him inside to clean him up.

My point is I know how impossible it is to make an outdoor cat an indoor one. We had both and the indoor one never wanted to go out outside AT ALL.

I really don't know how you can dissuade her from going to the neighbor's. I was going to suggest if you catch her, use the spray bottle. But you said that doesn't work on her. Sorry, no real advice but I feel for you. At least your neighbor was nice about it.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I would try and keep my cat indoors. I am not a cat person and don't understand the concept of an outdoor cat so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to keep them indoors.

I would not be happy having other animals roam my yard. I would let the neighbor know you are trying to work on the situation. And if their dogs are on your yard more than just the rare occasion I would talk to them about it.

I had a neighbor that let her dogs go on our front lawn all the time. I let it go a few times but when it was happening regularly then I had a conversation.

Message edited 4/25/2016 9:19:04 AM.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Posted by GoldenRod

Posted by LSP2005

I would not be happy with anyone's pet on my property. As a former dog owner for many years, it was my responsibility to keep my dog leashed, pick up after it, and not leave it outside at all hours to bark and annoy my neighbors. I think you could get a super long leash twenty or thirty feet and attach it to your cats collar. The cat can roam your yard, but not leave. I do feel it is your responsibility as a neighbor to teach your cat how to behave.

As a child, DW's cat literally hung itself with a long leash. It climbed up a clothes line support pole, tried walking across the clothes lines, slipped and it didn't end well....

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Personally, I think this is kind of unacceptable. Our neighbor's have an outdoor cat that constantly was jumping our fence and ending up in our backyard. She would taunt our dog for hours. Then, when we would let the dog out to use the bathroom in our fenced in yard, the cat would swipe and hiss at him. I've seen dogs loose eyes because of this. Luckily, this cat finally got the hint when we let our dog out a few times to chase her away. Was it mean? Maybe. But if this cat is a PET, it shouldn't be allowed out to just roam around freely on other people's property. If I allowed my dog to do that Animal Control would be at our house in a split second and I would likely be fined for allowing him offleash. I don't see how it's any different with a cat.

As a pet owner it's your responsibility to keep your pet off other people's property. I think your neighbor was very polite and sweet in the way she handled it, but the odds are, she's telling you because they are really starting to get annoyed by it. I would get it under control before they get more upset. It's really not fair to them that they have to be concerned about letting their dogs out on their own property because someone else isn't controlling their pet.

Re: Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

Disclaimer: I'm not a cat lover. Don't hate them, but definitely don't love them.

But....If someone's cat was coming up to my house and working my dog into a frenzy on a regular basis I would be pissed.

And I also know a dog who lost an eye because of a fight with a cat. So I think it's unfair to put your neighbors in this situation, that they possibly have to worry every time they let their dogs out in their own yard.

Another poster suggested that it's possible to re-train cats to stay inside. I would do whatever possible to do this. Or get some kind of enclosure. Or only let your cat out when you know your neighbors aren't home and there is no chance that the dogs might be in their yard.

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I have two outdoor cats and there's really nothing you can do. I do find it odd that your cat would go up to a two dogs? Was it an isolated event? I can't imagine a cat going back after being barked out by fiesty dogs....anyway, maybe you can spray some of the furniture repellent on a doormat and give it to your neighbor?/ or research a plant that cats do not like and buy for them to keep by their entrance way. It's a good faith effort but other than that I think their SOL. It's part of living in a neighborhood.

Neighbor has issue with my cat -wwyd?

I have two outdoor cats and there's really nothing you can do. I do find it odd that your cat would go up to a two dogs? Was it an isolated event? I can't imagine a cat going back after being barked out by fiesty dogs....anyway, maybe you can spray some of the furniture repellent on a doormat and give it to your neighbor?/ or research a plant that cats do not like and buy for them to keep by their entrance way. It's a good faith effort but other than that I think their SOL. It's part of living in a neighborhood.