There's a bully cat in my front yard! And, I need to get rid of him fast.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 28, 2007 5:34pm CST
We have several outdoor female cats that live in our front yard with their babies. They come and go from our yard as they please, mostly getting their food from us and occasionally leaving for their own reasons. We coexist with them peacefully and they have never been a problem to us. It's a mutually beneficial relationship.
But, today a big orange male cat started hanging out in our front yard and tried to attack one of the newborn kittens that is living with it's outdoor cat mom behind the bushes. He had the baby pinned down and if we hadn't interfered to stop him the baby cat would have died. My spouse went out and chased the big cat out of the yard, but he keeps coming back.
I'm afraid that the big male cat will injure the kittens while we are not around to protect them, because he has tried to do so before. And, his mom doesn't seem to have the power to protect her babies. Is there any way to keep aggressive male cats out of the yard? Are there any types of chemicals that I could spray the yard with that would make him think he was not welcome. Would appreciate suggestions.
3 people like this
8 responses
@quatelmon (955)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I would get humane cat traps and catch ALL of the cats AND kittens in your yard. Take them to a shelter or a vet that does spaying and neutering for a free or for discount for stray cats. This way, you never really have to worry about kittens again. The hose trick someone mentioned before would probably work well, but any chemicals or anything would probably keep ALL the cats away. Good luck!!!
1 person likes this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I did not know that about the vet. Thanks, I will look into that. That would most likely be a better all around solution.
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I dont know about any chemicals that would target only one cat naturally and to be honest with you I wouldnt be keen on using chemicals regardless BUT I would most definately spray it with the hose every time I saw it coming around and i'd spray it but good too...
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Aug 07
This is quite a difficult dilemma because if you treat the perimeter of your garden with anything to keep out the cats, the mother and kittens will probably be alienated as well, and I'm assuming that you want to keep them closeby so as to keep an eye on them and their well-being. I would suggest that perhaps you house them in a protective run or something, and then use an old-fashioned home remedy which works very well. Cats hate the smell of orange peel oils, so if you eat oranges, it's good to rub the peel onto fence posts and fences to keep cats out. You can also buy sprays but as I say, the family will leave also, I'm sure, unless you make them welcome some sort of spacious run with wood and chicken wire, or something similar.
I'm not sure how you can rid yourself of one without the others, my friend. Can you coax them into a shed, or something, so that they are protected from the big bad Tom?
Brightest Blessings... I hope you find a solution to this.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Catch it and take it to the humane society. If you were to spray animal deterrents it will also offend the other cats.
1 person likes this
@Daelin (683)
• Brazil
29 Aug 07
Usually cats don´t kill kittens. Anyway, not the cats that are part of the group.
This other cat is not a part of the group and he is after the females. He will have the instint to fight any adversary and after that kill the babies so he will have the females having only his own babies.
I don´t know if it really happens because I have seen groups of cats with one or more males and no fight between them.
Are you sure this cat was really using all his force to hurt the baby? Sometimes they play a little hard.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Aug 07
Hi Daelin. Excuse me interrupting here, but I thought of a reason why the Tom attacked this kittens. I think it's probably that he knows that the cats are not domestic... they are wild, and it's probably a cat's natural instinct to do what he has done. I certainly don't feel he's playing, or he would just pick them up in his mouth and soft paw play with them. I really do think it's because they are a different breed and belong nowhere that he has attacked them.
Brightest Blessings.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
I would be scared to put any chemicals or anything outside as this will harm the other cats you have in the area not just the bully .
You could try spraying him with water everytime you see him . Cats hate water and this way you are not hurting him in anyway just making him mad so maybe he won't come back . This often works when trying to teach a cat not to jump on the counters and tables . Best of luck .
@ssf12ster (488)
• India
29 Aug 07
maybe try to to fence the place.and divide them.increase the size of the wall and install burglar alrm. change the place of the cats and theier babies.
