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07 Jan 07 - 12:59 PM (#1929286) Subject: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus This is on behalf of a friend. She has a male cat that's being annoyed, to put it mildly, by a neighbouring Burmese. The latter can be chased away by a water pistol or a water sprinkler, but not permanently. It comes into my friend's garden and frightens her cat. The latter is reasonablt feisty but not aggressive. The owner of the Burmese is unresponsive to my friend's worries. My frriend's cat sometimes needs to go thru the Burmese's garden to get to and from. There the Burmede seems less aggressive, which my friend puts down to the presence of the owner. my friend suspects the Burmese is seeking to be top of the 'pecking order' and that her cat isn't fitting in with the plans of the Burmese. My friend's cat books don't seem to address that sort of situation. Any suggestions for dealing with this would be welcome. Thanks in advance. Ivor |
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07 Jan 07 - 01:03 PM (#1929292) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Captain Ginger I fear that, short of teaching the male cat jiu jitsu or finding a way to reattach his testicles (assuming he's been neutered), there's not much to be done. Cats have a defined pecking order (as I know, with three of them under my feet), and that order is kept in place by regular cuffing and bullying down the chain. |
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07 Jan 07 - 01:07 PM (#1929297) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing Have your friend do her own cat a favour and build it a simple enclosure outside a window. It will be safe from traffic, bully cats, dogs, etc. It doesn't cost much if you use plain boards and chicken wire to build a "box" then butt it up against the house and attach with screws or nails. Our cats have used one for years, even have a "balcony" (horizontal board) on which they step out and sit, or climb down a slanted board to the grass. I did this, originally, with cats which had been let to run on the prairie in WY, with an open window, free range. We moved back East and they knew nothing about traffic, so they instantly became inside cats. It also saves birds if you confine them. I heard some story on NPR the other day in which they claimed a gazillion songbirds are killed every year by cats. One state legislator wanted to give hunters rights to kill loose cats. Thankfully he was unsuccessful, but as |
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07 Jan 07 - 01:52 PM (#1929357) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Stilly River Sage Has the neighbor's cat been neutered? That reduces the aggressive behavior a lot. Altering by stealth is an idea (but not a great one--you're so close-by they'll no doubt know who captured the young guy and commissioned the surgery). SRS |
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07 Jan 07 - 01:57 PM (#1929362) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing Besides which if it is pedigreed it may be used for breeding and you could be open to a lawsuit for lost stud fees. Though, if they are using it that way they are idiots to let it roam free! |
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07 Jan 07 - 02:26 PM (#1929392) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus Apparently the Burmese has been neutered. Also the vet says things will eventually settle down. The situation did improve for a while and has since deteriorated. Thanks so much for your responses. Any others would be welcome. Ivor |
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07 Jan 07 - 02:30 PM (#1929395) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin People should be forced to tie up their cats. I have to tie up my dog so he doesn't shit in the neighbour's garden. Do the same with the cats. Thank you. |
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07 Jan 07 - 02:53 PM (#1929411) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: DMcG Not to depress you or anything, but we've been trying to deal with the same problem for well over a year now and have had no success at all. There are just three variations: a) the offending cat has not been neutered b) We have no idea who owns the cat. It seems too well looked after to be homeless - it is longhaired and always appears reasonably groomed as well as well fed - but can be seen at any hour of the day or night. c) Given the slightest chance, it comes into our house and makes itself at home. (It also does that to our immediate neighbours.) |
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07 Jan 07 - 03:21 PM (#1929429) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Helen We also have a problem, but with one of our own cats. He is a big, boofy cat and has been neutered but that makes no difference to his behaviour. He still is top of the pecking order in a family of 6 cats and 2 humans, sometimes. There is his grandmother, his aunt, his sister, his niece and his nephew. I don't know what breed he is. He is tabby with yellow underfur. He continually bullies his very gentle aunt, and nothing we do seems to stop him, except keeping them separated. We've tried the spray bottle, which works for everything else, we've tried the alpha male or female trick, and if he has misbehaved and we go for him and push him firmly (but not roughly) down he drops to the floor and stays there until we move away. Sometimes he drops without being pushed, because he knows the drill now. I feel dominated by this cat sometimes because he rules the roost, although we act like the alphas to try to convince him otherwise. So, I'm interested in ideas too. Helen |
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07 Jan 07 - 03:47 PM (#1929444) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: MMario ?? The burmese is LESS agressive in it's own territory? That's a little ass-backwards. |
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07 Jan 07 - 04:08 PM (#1929467) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST,Jon Where the cat feels his territory is need not be the same as where the neighbours boundaries are, MMario. |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:01 PM (#1929513) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: SINSULL I am having similar problems with a neighbor's cat. They moved in and he decided he likes my yard better than his. He sits under a holly bush and growls at anyone going in or out of my house including me. I have discussed this with him but he is rather rude and refuses to listen. So there are frequent spitting matches lots of territorial spraying and occasional minor spats. I still have to face the neighbors who assume that any cat yowling at 3AM is mine. Seamus is a good deterrent, The neighbor's cat is terrified of him while mine have a live and let live attitude towards their buddy. |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:11 PM (#1929521) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Podger SINSULL, did you really mean to say that you go in for territorial spraying? |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:24 PM (#1929548) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus Suely he's talking about cat activity. Ivor |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:31 PM (#1929554) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Seamus Kennedy Sins - that's surprising. I usually get on very well with cats. Seamus |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:34 PM (#1929559) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin I was gonna ask how you've been terrifying all the local pussies, Seamus. |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:35 PM (#1929560) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin Then I decided I didn't want to know. |
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07 Jan 07 - 05:37 PM (#1929564) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace Why isn't it now called a Myanmarese now? |
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07 Jan 07 - 06:25 PM (#1929624) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus Old habits die hard? old habits die hard II? We talk about the ......aw,so thread-drift-like. Anyway,thanks katlaughing. my friend, being a Tau.....,well anyway, she started thinking of difficulties. unfortunately I've put up bookshelves in the past,so she might call on my assistance tho' she's dextrous. (No,you don't get that from the chemist) Ivor |
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07 Jan 07 - 06:37 PM (#1929636) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: SINSULL Yes I spray long and wide - but with a plant sprayer. |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:12 PM (#1929670) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: freda underhill Ivor, i had a similar problem for a couple of years. i live in an inner city community with a large open garden. a neighbouring virile, jaunty and maurauding cat was a very unwelcome visitor to a couple of cats ocver this side of the garden. a water pistol or a water sprinkler are too polite. What your friend needs is about a good bucket or two of water, full and ready in advance. The Burmese will get the message pretty quickly. freda |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:28 PM (#1929690) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: ragdall Why isn't it now called a Myanmarese now? ...because, as an exile, the cat refused to recognize the current regime? |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:33 PM (#1929700) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Mrrzy Someone around here didn't like the neighbor's cat on his apparently expensive car, so he shot it - the cat, not the car- and it lived long enough to go home and be found by the children of the house. It's been a big deal in the local papers... |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:36 PM (#1929703) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Paul from Hull *LOL* Ragdall! |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:43 PM (#1929717) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace LOL |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:57 PM (#1929726) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: JennieG Cats don't like citrus or vinegar, so have you tried spraying with lemon juice or vinegar in the water? I think one of the TV vets here recommends this to get the message across to a cat that it is unwelcome in a certain area. You might have to experiment with the proportion of juice or vinegar to the amount of water. Cheers JennieG |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:58 PM (#1929728) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace Mark Twain had a method to get a cat to eat mustard. |
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07 Jan 07 - 07:59 PM (#1929729) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST, Topsie I was quite pleased when I saw my cat using my nasty neighbour's gravel as a litter tray - serves him right for cutting the top off my Deutzia bush. |
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07 Jan 07 - 08:01 PM (#1929732) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace "serves him right for cutting the top off my Deutzia bush. " I am afraid to ask . . . . |
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07 Jan 07 - 08:08 PM (#1929740) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Little Hawk There is nothing that can be done about a cat that likes to bully other cats, short of either 1. killing it...or 2. making it impossible for that cat to physically approach the other cats. I do not recommend killing the neighbour's cat. Therefore, either live with the problem or find a way to make it impossible for the Burmese to get near enough to your cat to bully it. For some things, only time is a solution. The nicest cat we ever had was bullied into a rapid health decline and an early death (through illness) by another cat we had who was an outright aggressive bastard who lived to beat hell out of other cats. In retrospect, we should have gotten rid of the aggressive one, but my parents did not recognize how serious a problem it was until too late. I was quite young at the time, and that's all I can remember about it. Neutering causes some cats to be less inclined to aggression...but it's no guarantee. |
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07 Jan 07 - 08:48 PM (#1929796) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan I wondered at the beginning whether the thread title should have been "Neighbour's nasty cat", as my suggestion shouldn't be applied to a nasty neighbour. I have long held the view that any cat outside its owner's property should be regarded as a feral cat. There was a time when I inclined to the view that a sudden and quiet exposure to a very heavy metal was a good way to deal with feral cats; while effective, it caused me to lose out with a wonderful lady who thought all cats that had been dumped in my local Reserve were lovely creatures with a right to be there rather than be summarily dealt with. C'est la vie! Irony intended. Given that there are laws against such behaviour and the desire to get along with neighbours limits similar actions, I can recommend acquiring a friendly dog with a healthy sense of territoriality that befriends residents but warns nonresidents to look to their loins. Although I prefer macropods and small marsupials around my house (meaning I don't keep either dogs or cats) I've had various friends tell me that dogs can be quite effective in discriminating positively to a resident cat and against nonresident cats. Cheers, Rowan |
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07 Jan 07 - 09:07 PM (#1929814) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: ragdall Male cats are territorial. Female cats are hunters/providers. Neutering doesn't change this. Nor does it, (as I was dismayed to discover after having both my cats neutered), prevent either gender from spraying to leave messages for other cats. Those generalizations aside, each gender will defend territory, or hunt, when she or he feels inclined to do so. "My frriend's cat sometimes needs to go thru the Burmese's garden to get to and from." If your friend's cat is going onto the other cat's garden, why is your friend complaining about the other cat coming into her cat's garden? You've used the terms, " being annoyed" and "frightens", but I haven't read any indication that the neighbour cat is actually attacking your friend's cat. Does it? Maybe your friend's cat is behaving wisely in cat fashion when he gives way to the other cat? If the two cats are going to continue to share the same territory, (the combined yards, which both seem to feel free to use), they will have to sort it out themselves, without interference from your friend. Your friend's cat may not end up being the dominant one. If she can't accept that, she'll have to devise means to prevent the other cat from entering her yard when her cat is outdoors, or stay with her cat when he is out. In any case, she'd be wise to prevent her cat from wandering as there are many other dangers which can cause him more harm than the neighbour's cat will. |
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07 Jan 07 - 10:36 PM (#1929853) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rapparee Women and cats will do as they will, and men and dogs better get used to the idea. -- Heinlein. Our boundaries are not animal boundaries. Not even if we fence them. Why must your friend's cat cross the Burmese's yard? |
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07 Jan 07 - 10:41 PM (#1929857) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Little Hawk We'd have to ask the cat to get the definitive answer for that. Assuming the cat would deign to give us one. |
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07 Jan 07 - 11:42 PM (#1929883) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing Sorry if my suggestion has you busy, autolycos.:-) Just tell her to get a staple gun, get the lumberyard to cut the boards the right lengths, nail them together in a box with three sides. Staple the chicken wire around it and on top, then bung it up against the hosue and apply nails or screws. EZEE-PZZZ!**bg** I'll try to remember to post a picture of ours, though it *ain't* pretty. |
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08 Jan 07 - 01:58 AM (#1929925) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin Beware the cats! They are not to be underestimated. |
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08 Jan 07 - 04:27 AM (#1929967) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Gurney If you can find a motorcycle magneto-I know they are rare nowadays- you can ring a very effective electric fence. It shouldn't kill the cat, well, it didn't kill the cat or the dog that were using my motorbike as a territorial marker, but they accorded the Beezer great respect thereafter. You do have to sit there until the begger comes into contact with the wire, and then give a couple of turns. Whammo! But try it on yourself first. One of my customers has a Burmese, a big powerful neuter. He has turned their loop-pile carpet into something that looks like an uncut lawn, and their leather suite into ragged suede. Nice cat apart from that (says he, with a wry smile.) |
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08 Jan 07 - 08:17 AM (#1930104) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie ...I always find a well aimed King Edward (potato) hurled up the jacksie at great speed gets rid of most cats from my garden! |
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08 Jan 07 - 03:24 PM (#1930535) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus You're being very kind, one and all. i've taken advice from my client,let's call her Roz and actually that is her name. Katlaughing, the 'hutch' idea is not apparently necessary because the cat,Mr.Pie, can get into the house by a cat-flap. Roz isn't too keen on that also because she's more interested in sorting the Burmese out,know wha' I meeen? The Burmese does chase after Pie,who goes to the flap, and alternatively sits in Roz's garden waiting for Pie to appear. it does that far far more often than Pie goes thru the Burmese's garden. I'll have to find out if Pie doing that can be avoided. Roz finds the idea of the bucket difficult,trying to chase after a disappearing cat with same. Roz is also aware of sounding rather "yes but"-like. I haven't yet to get to "try some citrus or vinegar in the gun". Thanks Ragdall. She may well look at how to keep the other cat out,tho' it does give Mr.Pie grief. I don't think Roz is a dog person,she doesn't like them too much tho' again, thanks for the suggestion. Roz and I are very grateful for your ideas;I'm trying to steer her away from getting embarassed at your collective kindness. Ivor |
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08 Jan 07 - 04:16 PM (#1930603) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: kendall I know what I'd do. |
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08 Jan 07 - 04:34 PM (#1930618) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Becca72 Pellet guns are not a good option, father. |
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08 Jan 07 - 04:56 PM (#1930645) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan Tell Roz she shouldn't feel any embarrassment at all. It's communal inclination like this that makes the world an interesting place. Cheers, Rowan |
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08 Jan 07 - 05:47 PM (#1930710) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin The old sandpaper & turpentine treatment. Then iodine on the scratches on your arms. |
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08 Jan 07 - 05:50 PM (#1930713) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Greg F. A high-velocity .22 long rifle hollow point should work a treat. People need to learn there is no constitutional right for their pet -cat, dog, or what-have-you- to shit on or damage other people's property. Period. Not to mention the damage they do to wiildlife. Keep 'em indoors, or on a lead. |
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08 Jan 07 - 05:56 PM (#1930718) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace "Pellet guns are not a good option, father." Think 'crossbow'. |
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08 Jan 07 - 06:03 PM (#1930726) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Greg F. Yeah, but them bolts ain't cheap & ita a pain gettin 'em out of the carcass. |
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08 Jan 07 - 06:10 PM (#1930738) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus LOVL Ivor |
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08 Jan 07 - 06:12 PM (#1930740) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus Blast - and yes,quite right, thread Should have read "Neighbour's nast cat" Sorry. Ivor |
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08 Jan 07 - 06:31 PM (#1930759) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus N nastY c oh dear And nice of you to say,Rowan.Ta. Ivor |
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08 Jan 07 - 07:19 PM (#1930828) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan GregF refers explicitly to what I had originally implied in my first post above. Trouble is, there are laws about discharging firearms, especially in urban environments; in Australia it is specifically prohibited. So it's not my place to say that, when your backyard is unoccupied by a known companion animal and is thus routinely invaded by feral cats, but is surrounded by solid timber and there's no possibility of ricochet, the sound of a .22 short is unnoticed against the background urban hum of traffic. Two, though, pricks people's ears up and three will have them say "Some b--tard's shooting!" These days I don't recommend what was once a very effective response; I've become gentler. And I live in the bush. Because I have the occasional Antechinus invading the kitchen I use Elliot traps (collapsible sheet aluminium traps that keep captives alive and restful for later release) and I use a larger version if I see any dumped cats. Dumped cats usually have a low survival rate but 4th generation ones can be huge; 12 kg (~28lb for you unmetricated ones) is the largest I've yet seen and it needed a feral pig trap to catch it. A similar trap for the Burmese interloper (as used by people who relocate possums, raccoons etc) might be just the trick for Roz, who would then have a choice about any (or no) aversion therapy for the cat and its owner. Again, in Australia the Council Pound is a common destination for 'uncontrolled' domestic animals. Many councils have a requirement that domestic animals are microchipped, enabling the staff to locate the animal's owner who, on payment of a release fee, can take the animal home. If the animal has no microchip, tracing putative owners becomes more difficult but I'm sure community-minded people could offer suitable advice, after a week or so and before the pound's euthanasia policy is implemented Cheers, Rowan |
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09 Jan 07 - 07:57 AM (#1931260) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: kendall Who said anything about shooting them, Becca? I don't hate cats. Even though I have a couple of neighborhood cats that visit my bird feeders, I couldn't just kill someone's pet. |
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09 Jan 07 - 08:06 AM (#1931264) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Mr Red the legal status of cats in the UK is "wild animal" and the owner cannot be held responsible - and neither can they sue you for anything you do - though the various animal organisations might have a say. According to the RSPCA Water is OK, and the guy that told me that reckoned there was no specific force desiganted as cruel! "So", says he "pressure up". And he enjoyed seeing the cats literally skittle from the multiple jets he had secretly planted in his garden. Others rely on the pet dog. Me? I just chase away the ones that make life awkward for the friendly ones. They know who they are. |
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09 Jan 07 - 08:40 AM (#1931288) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Becca72 I didn't say kill...I referred to a pellet gun I believe... |
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09 Jan 07 - 09:03 AM (#1931303) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST, Topsie Pellets can kill. |
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09 Jan 07 - 09:11 AM (#1931309) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace A friend of mine thought the same. He shot a cat with a pellet gun (to educate it, mind you). He educated it all the way through nine lives. |
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09 Jan 07 - 09:17 AM (#1931321) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Captain Ginger In the UK Domestic cats can be classed as property under the Theft and Criminal Damage Acts or equivalent legislation in Scotland. Thus you may be committing an offence if you intentionally or recklessly kill or injure them. |
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09 Jan 07 - 09:24 AM (#1931332) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace Trap it. Water it. Let it go back to its owner. Do that a few times. It will sooner or later get the idea. Otherwise, call your animal control people and have the cat removed. It isn't nice to kill people's animals. However, it isn't nice of people to allow their 'pets' free range of the neighbourhood. It's either a pet or it isn't. If it is, the owner has a responsibility to ensure it doesn't become a nuisance to you. Take Mark Twain's advice about getting a cat to eat mustard. It will ever after stay away from your property. |
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09 Jan 07 - 10:43 AM (#1931402) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Greg F. Responsibility? RESPONSIBILITY?? We ain't got to have no steenking RESPONSIBILIYTY!!!! |
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09 Jan 07 - 11:16 AM (#1931447) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scrump We have a similar problem. Our new (at the time) cat had only just established himself in the local cats' pecking order, when 5 cats moved in next door (with their owners) and started taking over our garden. Our cat has been involved in several fights, and so far cost us hundreds in vets' 'repair' bills. He's plucky, but fairly small and no match for the hulking brutes next door, who always seem unscathed as far as we can tell. Of course if I see them in our garden I chase them away, but I can't be there all the time, so I need a way of keeping them out when I'm not there. Someone told me that you can get a special type of fencing that will keep cats out of your garden, but I've yet to see it on sale anywhere. Also the cost would be prohibitive, I suspect. I had the idea of rigging up lots of water sprays around the garden, activated by infrared movement detectors, which would be neutralised by a transmitter on my cat's collar, so he would be able to wander round the garden unscathed, while interlopers would get soaked regularly. The problem is, the jets would be set off by other animals and birds, so I abandoned that plan. I guess the idea of somehow trapping the cat, giving it a good soaking and then releasing it might work, as suggested above by Peace. Now, how to trap a cat - any suggestions? How did Mark Twain get cats to eat mustard - force feed them? |
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09 Jan 07 - 05:04 PM (#1931738) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan "Now, how to trap a cat - any suggestions?" Meat smeared with fish oil works. I too don't like killing animals, which is why I changed my methods of dealing with feral animals. But, as the owner of my property I am required to manage it, which occasionally forces one into difficult dilemmas. In NSW we have WIRES (Wildlife Information and REscue Service, in its original form) and Im one of the founders of the New England Branch, so I've been well exposed to many of the dilemmas. Because I have a lot of ROTAPs on my place and work in town I refuse to have sheep; I prefer macropods and other marsupials and they clutter up my driveway wonderfully. But technically, they're 'owned' by the Crown, not by me. If I ran sheep and saw some uncontrolled dog on my place, harassing the sheep, the law would support me if I gave the dog a sudden dose of lead poisoning. If that same dog were harassing the wildlife on my property (arguably much more vulnerable, if less economically valuable), the law would prosecute me if I shot the dog. Many people express some surprise when I tell them this. Feral cats are even worse for wildlife but there's not many records of them molesting sheep. Even though cats may be beautiful creatures, I prefer the wildlife and reserve the right to. appropriately, manage any cats on my property. Cheers, Rowan |
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09 Jan 07 - 05:23 PM (#1931753) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Captain Ginger As for dogs, it's the same in the UK - a farmer has the right to shoot any dog which is worrying sheep. It doesn't have to have actually attacked the sheep; merely chasing them is reason enough to shoot the dog. It doesn't often happen, but sometimes it's the only option. And any responsible dog owner living in a rural area will understand that. |
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09 Jan 07 - 05:32 PM (#1931763) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Peace "How did Mark Twain get cats to eat mustard - force feed them?" He suggested that one take a dollop of mustard and put it directly underneath the cat's tail. |
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09 Jan 07 - 05:44 PM (#1931781) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Greg F. And that's Colmans or Chinese mustard- not the prepared stuff you put on tube steaks. |
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09 Jan 07 - 06:26 PM (#1931818) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: autolycus you gotta catch the bloody thing first. ivor |
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09 Jan 07 - 06:51 PM (#1931845) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Mr Red I'm sitting here LMAO But I got the answer.................. mustard pellets check-out that bullseye |
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09 Jan 07 - 07:00 PM (#1931853) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin Water balloons. |
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10 Jan 07 - 05:30 AM (#1932123) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scrump Right, so far we have: - Trap the cat using meat smeared with fish oil as bait. But presumably you need a 'cat trap' of some sort. What would that be like? I imagine a giant spring-loaded mousetrap would do the job but might kill the cat in the process. I would prefer a humane way to catch the cat, bearing in mind that my own cat is likely to spring the trap before any of the others get to it. Anyone got any ideas as to what to use as a trap? - having caught your cat, smear its a**e with Colman's mustard - let it go, and it will (according to Mark Twain) never come back. Any advice on cat-traps gratefully received! |
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10 Jan 07 - 12:26 PM (#1932445) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin Havahart live catch trap. However the cat will soon learn to avoid it. |
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10 Jan 07 - 01:07 PM (#1932475) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Mr Red Lace that water with mustard Actually I am more of a cat man than a dogman. |
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10 Jan 07 - 04:25 PM (#1932644) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan I'm not sure about the American versions of these but in Australia, such traps are a 'box' made of wire mesh (the rigid sort) with a door at one end that is hinged and has a vertical extension on it so that, when open, the extension is held in place (and thus the door is open) by a catch that releases the extension if either a pressure pad (that the animal treads on when inside) or the bait is disturbed. The door shuts and the animal is unharmed by the process. There are various patterns and design wrinkles that prevent long-tailed animals from either getting their tails caught or using them to jam the doo open but I'm sure you've got the picture. Dpepending on the animal's regard for the subesquent experience you may only ever catch it once or it will become a regular visitor, a problem wildlife surveyors have to cope with. You must check a set trap every eight hours (at most) or the animal ethics people will have your guts for garters, and it's only fair out of respect to the animal, no matter how 'verminous'. Cheers, Rowan |
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10 Jan 07 - 08:02 PM (#1932779) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST,JTT Put away your guns, boys. Burmese are darlings, but they're devils to fight. My suggestion is this: your friend should go to her neighbour bearing a cake and a letter from her vet detailing her cat's injuries and how much they've cost to cure. She should invite the neighbour in and share the cake, and explain that the adorable, affectionate, cuddly purrer at home turns into Mike Tyson when out. And then she should make a deal with the neighbour on timing. Perhaps the neighbour can let his cat out in the morning and she can let hers out in the afternoon, or vice versa. Cats normally sort these things out for themselves, and learn to time their rounds so that they can avoid each other. For some reason, these two cats haven't managed this, so the humans need to do it for them. If the neighbour doesn't keep to the deal, she should perhaps ask him to share the vet's bill for the injuries caused to her cat (though to do so, she'll need to have proof that it's the Burmese). But most neighbours are all right about doing this. I had a cat myself some years ago, and a neighbour brought him home to me in her arms and explained that she'd found him beating up her cat. She demanded that I keep him in at all times, which I certainly wasn't going to do. But if she'd suggested that I let him out at a specific time, I would have been fine with that. It's what I do with my (Burmese) cat now. |
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11 Jan 07 - 06:39 AM (#1933080) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scrump Havahart live catch trap. However the cat will soon learn to avoid it Thanks for the info. If Mr Twain was right, once should be enough. Still not sure of the best way to apply the 'treatment' without getting bitten or scratched though. I don't imagine the cat will raise its tail and wait :-) Regarding the advice from GUEST,JTT about dealing with the neighbour: one problem would be the difficulty of proving the injuries to your cat were indeed caused by the neighbour's cat. Where I live, there are other cats around, so the neighbour could justifiably say there's no evidence it was her cat that did the damage to yours. But maybe that's not the case with the OP's friend. Secondly, keeping our cat in at specific times would be very difficult. If you have an 'outdoor' cat (as opposed to a 'house' cat) they resent being kept in against their will - at least, ours does. On the vet's advice, we recently had to keep him in while he recovered from one of the aforementioned battle wounds, and it was a nightmare for us! He constantly tries to find a way out, so we daren't open any windows, and have to block up the chimney, etc., while he constantly meows to show his displeasure at being kept in, and drives us nuts (he's Burmese too btw! - are these common among folkies?) :-) |
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11 Jan 07 - 03:59 PM (#1933569) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin Like you can train a cat to do anything. |
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11 Jan 07 - 04:00 PM (#1933573) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Rowan As a folkie I feel (and probably show) great displeasure at being kept in. |
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11 Jan 07 - 04:51 PM (#1933615) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing You can train a cat to live indoors. When we moved from a 25 acre + ranch in WY where the cats could go in and out the window at will to a small colonial house on a busy street with not much of a yard in New England, they became indoor cats almost overnight. In fact, they went from the ranch to an airplane to two months in a motel room with daily walks on leashes, that was 6 cats and a dog, everyday. They adjusted. It's a matter of do you have the discipline and patience to outlast their yowling until they give up and mostly accept their plight in life. People who give up and let them back out are lacking in responsibility and backbone. If nothing else build them a chicken coop out the window and do everyone a favor. 20 reasons to keep your cat inside: 1. Cars - Thousands of cats get hit by cars every year. If they are lucky, they die instantly. 2. Car engines - Cats seek warmth. In the winter they tend to climb up inside car engines where they can be subsequently ground up. 3. Anti-freeze - Cats like the sweet taste of anti-freeze, and they will lick it if able. Anti-freeze is extremely toxic and your cat will die a painful death within hours of ingesting it. It can take less than a teaspoon to kill a full-size cat or dog! 4. Poisoning - There are people who don't like cats and will set out poison on their property. Others may put poison out to get rid of other wildlife that wanders onto their property and your cat may accidentally ingest it. 5. Fighting - Your cat could be killed by dogs, raccoons, or other wildlife. Some people train their dogs to attack and kill cats. 6. Fighting Part II - Believe it or not, cats can kill each other during their fights. 7. FELV - Feline Leukemia destroys a cat's immune system. It is transmitted through body fluids. Even a sneeze can pass the virus from one cat to another. The vaccine for FELV is only 70 to 75% effective. Cats infected usually die within two years. 8. FIV - Feline Immunosuppressive Virus also destroys a cat's immune system. It is transmitted through body fluids and cuts a cat's lifespan in half. There is no vaccination for FIV. 9. FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis. FIP is always 100% fatal. Tests and vaccines for FIP are not reliable. 10. Animal Abuse - Cats are often shot with BB guns; burned with lighters, firecrackers; tortured by people causing loss of limbs, eyes, etc. 11. Starving to Death - People think that because they have lived in the same house for a number of years that their cat is too smart to wander off and get lost. NOT TRUE. People also think that because their cat has never left the front yard that it go any farther. NOT TRUE. 12. Getting Trapped - Your cat could get lost in somebody else's garage or utility shed. He could suffer brain damage if trapped in extreme heat or could suffer frostbite if trapped in extreme cold. 13. Research Labs - Your cat could get stolen and sold to a research lab. This practice does go on, even in Cincinnati! 14. Parasitic Infections - Your cat could eat something (rat, mouse, bird) and die of a parasitic infection 15. SPCA - Your cat could get taken in by someone thinking it is a stray. They might keep your cat or take it to the SPCA where it will be euthanized. 16. Unintentional Poisoning - By pesticides, lawn products, etc. 17. Fleas, ticks, worms, ringworm - Your cat could transmit these to other pets and people in the household. 18. Drowning - Your cat could accidentally fall in a swimming pool and drown. 19. Steel-Jaw Traps - People who live in the country think it's great to let cats out to roam. But many times domestic dogs and cats get caught in steel-jaw traps intended for other animals. 20. Spraying - When cats go outside they smell other cats' territorial markings. This may prompt your cat to start spraying inside the house to mark his territory. More good reasons: click Be sure to look at this guy's cat enclosure and his catruns inside his house. Awesome and nice-looking. If you don't want to build your own, take a look at the links on the lower part of THIS PAGE. |
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11 Jan 07 - 09:42 PM (#1933886) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: ragdall yowling until they give up and mostly accept their plight in life. Sounds like a nice life? I have a suggestion. If you are not in a place where a cat can have a normal existence, don't get a cat! |
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11 Jan 07 - 10:24 PM (#1933926) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing normal for cats can be whatever they are acclimated to |
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11 Jan 07 - 10:36 PM (#1933939) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Little Hawk You could say the same about human beings. |
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12 Jan 07 - 12:05 AM (#1933982) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Cluin "This is moose turd pie!" |
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12 Jan 07 - 12:22 AM (#1933991) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing Well the "yowling" etc. was said tongue in cheek, sorta. I've always had cats and none of them suffered, believe me, and they all adapted to wherever we lived, quite happily. Or, I should say cats have always had me! Keeping them inside, spaying and neutering, leads to a much less stressful life, in most cases, and definitely helps to keep down the overpopulation of cats. With so many being killed by overwhelemd shelters (NO! I do NOT agree with that practise!) I believe we should do everything we can to keep the population down, not to mention keeping any animal safe from traffic and tormenters. |
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12 Jan 07 - 09:25 AM (#1934278) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scoville Don't blame the shelters--they're overstuffed, understaffed, and underfunded. It's the fault of anyone who does not spay or neuter their pets. Someone here just dumped a hound mix with eight puppies because he didn't want to deal with her. She got caught in a coyote trap and the humane society is trying to raise funds to have her leg repaired and have her spayed, heartworm treated, shots for the pups, etc. SOB should have gotten her spayed a long time ago if he didn't want pups (and, as a mutt, she ought to have been spayed anyway). Sorry--I used to do animal rescue and I've about had it with people who do not take responsibility for their animals. I don't like the idea of euthanizing homeless animals but if you've ever dealt with animals who have spent their lives in shelters, no-kill is not necessarily a humane option, either. If there were family-style foster homes for all of them, it would be one thing, but animals that spend their lives in institutional settings are often not healthy psychologically and can be very hard to socialize and rehabilitate. And the fact that they are so fearful makes them a safety hazard because they are more likely to bite. Pretty much the only solution is to get a handle on the pet population. |
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12 Jan 07 - 09:48 AM (#1934304) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: katlaughing Oh, I don't blame the shleters, they do the best they can, but I DO support the No-Kill shelters as much as possible and there are a lot more of them, nowadays, than there used to be. I volunteered for the only one in WY about ten years ago, but there are at least more than one in that State, now, thank goodness. I DO hold to task pet owners who do not get their pets neutered or spayed. |
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12 Jan 07 - 10:36 AM (#1934358) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scrump You can train a cat to live indoors. [...] It's a matter of do you have the discipline and patience to outlast their yowling until they give up and mostly accept their plight in life. Well, yes. Just like you can train a person to live indoors - by locking them in. The word 'plight' says it. Yes, there are risks in the outside world, but you can do things to mitigate a lot of them (depending on where you live). You can have them treated against diseases and fleas, etc. Would you keep your kids indoors on similar grounds? I think not. |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:01 AM (#1934379) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Scoville But you cannot cure feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus, and fleas and ticks carry some nasty germs. Cats do just fine indoors. Mine lived indoors for the last eight years of her life after getting chewed up one too many times (small cat, big ego). My brother's enormous Maine Coon mix hasn't been outside since they found him at four weeks old and is perfectly happy. I've known plenty of very contented indoor-only cats, and every vet I've ever asked recommends keeping them indoors for their own health and safety. Yeah, they fuss for awhile, and then they forget it. The problem is that people keep them in and then don't give them anything to entertain themselves (like people who own Laboradors but don't exercise them, and then wonder why the dog is so out of control). They do need alternate activities such as a cat tree to climb and scratch. |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:13 AM (#1934394) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Becca72 Comparing cats to children is silly. Children are taught not to fight, to wash their hands, not to eat things they find outside and to look both ways before crossing the street. Cats, though smart in their own right, can't learn any of this and are in constant danger outside. I have always been kept by indoor cats ( I have 3 neutered ones now) and they are perfectly healthy and happy cats with lots of toys. I wouldn't dream of ever letting them outside. They are called "housecats" for a reason. |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:16 AM (#1934398) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Paul from Hull Cats are FOREVER washing their 'hands' Becca.......*G* |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:25 AM (#1934414) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Becca72 ok, so I stand corrected...Children are taught to wash their hands with hot water and soap, not their tongues... |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:26 AM (#1934416) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Paul from Hull *S* (missing being employed by cats) |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:30 AM (#1934420) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Becca72 They are wonderful creatures, aren't they, Paul? I would have 10 of them if I didn't control myself. Of course, I've already warned my friends and family that some day I WILL be the crazy cat lady on the block. |
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12 Jan 07 - 11:36 AM (#1934428) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: Paul from Hull Hehehe... I have said I would never be without a cat, & other people have said it of me too, but have been without one for over 6 months now (though have moved 'house' TWICE in that time. Its just that my 1st ever cat was also the one I had most recently (having had 3 others in the intervening time as well as him) & to get new cats (though I'll do it eventually) doesnt seem quite right yet. (& the other cat simply went missing during 1st house move, so he is not likely to have died). |
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14 Jan 07 - 03:57 AM (#1935986) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: ragdall Comparing cats to children is silly. Children are taught not to fight, to wash their hands, not to eat things they find outside and to look both ways before crossing the street. Cats, though smart in their own right, can't learn any of this and are in constant danger outside. I now see the error of my ways. I spent too much time training the cats and not enough time training the children. While the cats never had fleas, worms, other parasites, or fungus infections, I did have to dose the children for worms and apply fungicide to ringworm. (We had no cats at those times). To the best of my knowledge, the children never had lice or fleas. The children did, however, fight. Also, they grew up gathering, and eating, things they found outside, nature's bounty of fruits, berries and fungi. The cats were trained that the street was "out of bounds", (as were the tables, kitchen counters, etc.). While this took time and patience, it was not difficult to teach and they certainly could, and did, learn this and abide by it. The most recent cat died, because of diabetes, at age 18. Even in his last days, one of his greatest joys was to be outdoors, in his garden. rags |
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14 Jan 07 - 04:43 AM (#1936006) Subject: RE: BS: nasty neighbour's cat From: GUEST,JTT You can indeed train cats, and it's good fun for both cats and humans to do so. I would never personally let a cat outside overnight during nesting season, for instance, and with my current cat I prefer to let him out for a couple of hours in mid-morning, then whistle him in. (It happens that this suits my work schedule.) |