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cat and neighbor problem- help!
I usually post in GP but I desperately need some pet help.
We like our neighbors, we all borrow eggs, collect each others mail when out of town, have BBQs etc. Two days ago our neighbors texted us saying they got some "cat repellent" powder because our cat was going to the bathroom in their yard. We immediately responded back saying sorry and we insisted on paying them back for it. They refused and said "we love living next to you guys".
Today we got a text saying they saw our cat in their yard again and asking if we can just keep her inside from now on. Uhh, What?
Our cat is the baby we can't have. We bought this house in part because it would be a good house to let the cat out in. There is no way we are keeping our cat indoors. We have lived here, next to them for 2+ years and they bring this up now?
How do I handle this?
Is there anything reasonable I can do to keep her out of their yard?
Re: cat and neighbor problem- help!
I don't know how popular this is going to be but I would keep him indoors or supervise when he's outside. No matter how nice my neighbors were I wouldn't want their cat pooping in my yard. We had neighbor kids and random people who used to walk their dogs in our yard before we moved in. Our home sat vacant for over a year. They would just let their dogs poop on our front lawn. The first morning we were here DH confronted them, brought them a plastic bag to pick up the poop and they haven't been back since. I always carry bags with me to pick up my dogs poop on walks and actually, it's against city ordinances not to here. Even if there wasn't anything on the books about it I'd still do it. It's just the right thing to do. My animal, my responsibility KWIM?
Unless you can find a way to keep your cat in your yard and out of your neighbors, I'd just suck it up and keep him inside.
Hey LittleLady!
Honestly, I'm siding with your neighbors on this one. I very strongly believe in keeping cats indoors unless you can be outside with him and he's harnessed/tethered in the yard or to you. I know far too many people who have thought it was better to let their cats be indoor/outdoor and ended up losing the cat (it disappeared and they never saw it again or got hit by a car and killed or seriously injured).
I know at least one of my cats would just love the opportunity to be outside, but there are too many factors out there I can't control (getting in fights with other animals, mean humans, insect bites/stings that could cause allergic reactions, cars, etc).
Your kitty is sooooo much safer inside, and he's likely to live a lot longer if you keep him indoors. Set up a cat tower or perch for him somewhere he can be up high and have a great view outside. He'll probably take a while to adjust to being kept indoors, but ladies I know have even gotten feral kitties to adapt to living exclusively inside. It's really in everyone's best interest to keep your furry baby indoors with you where you can love on him for many years to come.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
I have to agree with the others about keeping your cat indoors or at least supervised while you are outside. Is it possible to set up an outside area for your cat to play in? I know Ive seen in magazines these little hut type things that are mesh so they cant jump out but its plenty big enough for them to hang out and romp around.
I personally wouldn't want my neighbors cat or dog pooping in my yard and i wouldn't want to start a battle with them either.
We have a cat but he is an indoor cat, i do let him out on our deck occasionally but only if i am outside too, just too many factors out there for him to get caught up in.
I am also team "keep your cat inside". I have 3 happy, healthy indoor cats. I am SO thankful my neighbors with the outdoor cat moved last year. She irritated my cats through the windows, pooped in my gardens, left dead carcasses in my yard, sprayed urine daily on my bushes... it was irritating. It's not fair to have your animal on someone else's property.
Then there's the whole other side where it's better for your cat and your cat will live longer... but honestly, if you really like and respect your neighbors, I think you should keep your cat in.
The response posted on our other main board. I think you all deserve to read it since you took the time to respond.
"Thanks for all your time in responding. I wasn't going to respond because I'm sure I'll get flamed for his but I feel I owe you all my thoughts.
When we first got her I did a ton of research on cat ownership and clearly the consensus is to lock them up inside. She was an indoor cat for 2 years and she was an unhappy, depressed cat no mater what we did.
We started looking for a house in part, because of her. I'm sure I will get flamed for this and it is only an opinion I've developed recently, but I actually think a safe outdoor life is better for some cats. I know they are safer inside, I'm sure if I lived inside or I kept my future children inside I would be safer too, but it's just not the life we want for this specific cat.
When we bought the house we are in we made sure it was at least a 1/4 mile from any busy roads, we made sure there were other cats running around and that it was a cat friendly neighborhood and we even talked to the neighbors asking if cats were considered a problem in this area, they all told us cats are everywhere and no one cares.
Since we have started letting her out she is decidedly happier. She is locked up at night, vaccinated regularly and plane happy. We realize she may have a shorter life but we also know for this cat particularly she will have a better life.
As far as these neighbors go, we bought them a the scarecrow/motion sensor sprinkler, the hose splitter, rubber connectors and a spare hose, orange oil concentrate, a professional spray dispenser and an ultrasound animal detourant thing. We got all the best ones on the market. I'm going to bring them all over in a cute basket with cookies and a card. The card will have a number to a contractor who will do the install for them if they don't want to and will be fully paid for by us.
Ultimately, if we have to chose between our cat and the neighbors- we pick the cat. I thought we were in the right on this one as there are tons of other cats in this area but clearly I was wrong and we are the d&*ks in this case, but we are still not locking this cat up.
Thanks again for your opinions."
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Hard to argue with someone who says "I'm a d!ck and I don't care." She pretty much summed it up herself.
Oh, and someone forgot to tell my three happy, healthy, purring cats that they are actually depressed. I'll try to pass that message along.
Yup, wouldn't want to confuse her with facts or anything. LOL
"The hardest thing is to live richly in the present without letting it be tainted out of fear for the future or regret for the past." - Sylvia Plath
You know, I think it's find to have a different opinion and go against what others advice.
HOWEVER,
1.) If you're desperately in need of advice at least have the courtesy to address the people who took time to respond to you. Posting and never responding in the OP is just rude.
2.) If you have your mind made up already why bother asking for advice? You want your cat to romp around the neighborhood outside? Fine, but don't get mad if someone calls animal control because they're tired of picking up cat crap from the neighbor's cat.