Dang! I don't know what to do about this cat fight.

[Why Syzygy]

I have written about my kitty before. This neighbor scamp still thinks he owns me and comes over starting fights. Why are dudes that way. Non answerable question.

My ex-rm had two male cats who he claimed were always jockying for prime position.

My issue is I don't think the neighbors like hearing cat fights and I sure don't! The thing is when Boogie gets to go in the yard, he has these little squeeky sounds. Guess he is just trying to find his place on the planet. But I almost swear, if that other bully cat doesn't stop coming over and picking a fight with sweet little Boogie, who has as much right to smell the flowers as anyone.. I'm gonna have to kick some butt.

I don't think Earl has a happy home life. Otherwise he wouldn't be coming over here all the time.
This is getting to be a problem. All I can do now is keep Boogie in the house. That seems so unfair..

Thanks for letting me vent .. Dammit why does that cat have to come over here and fight my cat? Territory? This space belongs to Boogie.

Cat frustrated..

But really, can any of you offer suggestions?

[MorningGlow]

1. I'm with you VSM

Going through the same thing. When we moved into our new house at the end of last year, we were braced for the onslaught of rodentia, because the 130-year-old foundation has as many holes as swiss cheese.

But...nothing. Not one mouse, mole, vole, chipmunk, or other nester. (Except for the squirrels in the rotted eaves of the bay window, but they've been evicted.) We were amazed...until we saw how many cats were in the neighborhood. There must be dozens, all outdoor kitties. Our three are indoor kitties.

Anyway, our alpha male immediately started spraying on EVERYthing near a window or door--including my new curtains!--every time he saw a cat in his new yard. And that was frequently! He has calmed down a bit, but still squirts pretty often, especially when the bolder outdoor kitties sit right on the back deck, taunting him. We've had fights at the sliding glass door, and just Saturday our bolder female was boxing the nextdoor cat at a side window (I also suspect he has an unhappy home life, judging by the sight of our neighbors and the state of their house--ick) and our bullethead actually BROKE THROUGH the pane of glass! She slipped right through (no cuts thank goodness) and I ran outside to catch her. Luckily she's the slowest of our three--a bit of an airhead--and once she found herself outside alone (the nextdoor cat took off--coward) she just kind of stood there, so I could scoop her up rather easily and get her back inside.

I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions, but I will be keeping an eye on this thread to see what folks say, because we sure could use some help right about now.

Hang in there, VSM--our kitties are worth it!

[Why Syzygy]

4. I have had lots of cats

and never had to deal with this. Mine were always tamed with the water spray bottle.
Which now I'm using to run off the freaking neighbor's cats. When I lived on the other side of town here, the neighbors had three cats, which I am amazed even survived. I don't see how you can claim kitty ownership when they stay outside all the time. I don't even know where they ate.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was a friend up north who had a huge assortment of cats.
When she moved into her new house, they started mysteriously dying. She had to start keeping them in and one of the things she loved about that house was the large yard and the kitties could roam.
She came to a conclusion that something or ONE was killing them. That was a very painful time.

I've never had a problem with letting my cats go outside. They really dig it! Did have one I named Pudding once because someone gave him to me after he had been declawed, which is an awful practice and the one thing I could stand with Kinky Friedman on . should be outlawed! He was so fat (Puddin) that I had to comb him all the time because he could not reach. Intensly overweight cat. But if you left the front door open for a minute, he dashed outside and hid under the neighbor's fence. It was pretty sad.

I'm throwing my hands up on this one. I think Boogie is going out and enticing them to come in. Earl was just here. After Boogie had been out for a few minutes, Earl shows up. A coincidence?
All I need is a problem cat! But he is so cute and snuggable.

I may have told this before. When I lived on the lake, we had foxes, coons, possum, baby armadillos. But as soon as the cats showed up the only thing I heard was an occasional racoon fight.

Boogie was in the yard the other day sqeeking at the flower bed. I think maybe the problem is he was never allowed outside for 6 months so he has no clue. I can't keep an animal locked inside. Too distressing.

There was one mysterious death when my son was young. The kitty had come from a friend whose husband was mean. He climbed the walls and curtains for a while till he knew that no one here is going to hurt him. But he passed on one morning in the garage. Never said a word about a problem.

People who say animals don't go to heaven? I ask, how could it be heaven if there are no animals?

[Cleita]

2. Until Boogie asserts his territory that will keep happening.

I had a similar problem with cats coming over to eat. (Yes, I was giving them some dried food). My kitty Benny didn't like it so I stopped the feeding, but they still came over to fight. He finally succeeded in delineating his territory, many fights later and many vet bills later. I couldn't keep him in because he shreds everything in the house when he's locked up.

In your case, maybe some fencing might help, and you might turn a hose on the offending cats that come over until they get the idea that they aren't welcome. This would help Boogie to take back his territory. Also, do you have a dog? That is always takes care of the strange cats coming over problem.

[Why Syzygy]

3. There is a wooden fence

which means nothing to cats. I have started urging Boogie to make this his territory! Earl sprayed my flower bed one day. I gave Boogie the benefit of the doubt when he was a kit, but he will be one in February and I hope he will take care of this issue!

Today the wind blew the screen off my bedroom window and there was another cat in my room!
I tossed (think it is a her) out .. then shut the window because did not have time to put that screen back on today. I went back to sleep but found her back in the house! I have no idea how she got in again. Maybe Boogie is opening the door to let them in when I'm not paying attention.