Confined to barracks.
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
February 12, 2009 8:02am CST
My neighbour is evil. She has threatened to kill my cat and the other day caged him then told me to come and identify him. I know that she called to him and caged him because I had only let him out 10 minutes previously and I heard her laughing and talking with the neighbour on the other side...she must have been trying to get him in the cage. My Banjo is accused of killing their chickens and yes, he does watch them and maybe that stresses them but he has never deliberately killed one. I had chickens here for a week once before and Banjo didn't hurt any of them. They all went back to their owner in one piece. Also, there are many cats around here including feral ones. There are also hawks and foxes.
Anyway, the reason for this discussion is to ask for help. The first night I kept him in wasn't too bad. He cried every now and then but I talked gently but firmly to him and he would go to sleep. He also used the litter tray. The second day went okay as well, he used the tray and played roughly with Lucy the dog. I had been to the vet and I got a harness for him. I tried it on him and the poor thing hates it. He loves the outdoors and I was hoping to get him out there for a little bit each day. I took him out the back with the harness and he explored the back yard but he was very uncomfortable and the other animals, who he loves, were pestering him.
Day 3, I took him out in the harness and tied his lead to the fence while I worked in the garden. He went over the fence and got tangled and before I could get to him he had wriggled out of the harness. Luckily I looked up at the right moment and he came straight to me as well. He has not used the litter tray since yesterday morning. He is desperate to get out and his playing is becoming rough and destructive. He just peed in the waste paper bin he's been playing in and now he's asleep.
I checked online and it says he can be trained to stay in and that it would take patience, understanding and about 3 weeks. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make this easier for him, me and the dog I would appreciate it. I've given him some cardboard boxes to play in and he is amusing himself a bit but he keeps attacking me and the dog with his claws.. No bashing please...I know he will be safer inside, I just don't like animals to be confined against their will.
15 people like this
31 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Feb 09
oh my she should keep her nose on her side of the fence!.
and I know kitty will be fine.
Sounds like my neighbor to the North of me wanted me to cut down my 100 foot ceder tree never seen one grow so straight and tall.
I told her know been there probably before the house was built in 1964!
Then she told SIL that he needed to clean her yard from the leaves off our tree falling in her yard well what about the leaves from her trees fallin in my dog run and back yard a whole lot more there than she gets. He told her heck no he wouldnt I had him cut back the limbs off her side of the fence now she has no shade lol.
and we dont speak at all any more.
She been here long time and thinks she can run the neighborhood. Well I dont think so!
3 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Feb 09
Oh my ...I have 6 foot fences and he is too fast and agile for me my friend...lol. He will be ok, I can see us learning to have an understanding of each other. Apparently he should be fine and happy to stay in after about 4 weeks. I'll enjoy having him with me always.
She's an interfering, troublemaker I've been told...she lived here before and moved away for 13 years and has now returned. I've been warned not to let her push me around. She's even bossy and nosy with my friend Greg who comes over everyday.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Feb 09
We built a pen outside to put our cat in. He loves it outside. We put it about a foot off the ground and made it big enough for him to get around and play. It is about 10 ft long and 2 1/2 feet across. He doesn't mind at all. We put a small litter box in there and his food. He will stay for hours.
3 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 Feb 09
G'day...we've got the makings for a greenhouse and we are hoping to change that into an outdoor cat room...like a huge aviary except for Banjo, with poles to walk from level to level, perches for sleeping on and birdwatching and a place to hide in and sleep and escape the weather. It might take a while though before we can do that...I've been waiting about 2 years for the greenhouse...lol. Thanks for that idea. I've seen some cages arranged as a catwalk...you add several cages together to form a catwalk with different places where the cat can stop and sleep or rest.
Check out these pics.....:
http://www.catnip.com.au/design_ideas.html
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Feb 09
Those are alot fancier than ours, lol. Alot more expensive too.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
12 Feb 09
That neighbor does sound mean and rotten. Did this just start? Why does she say Banjo is killing her chickens? Has she seen him do it? Is always hard to keep a cat in once the have known freedom outside. How about getting something like a dog run but for cats. Maybe you know someone who could make you an enclosure, that way the cat could still go out but be confined. I know you don't want to confine him, but this way at least he could go outside sometime. Good luck I wish I knew a good answer for you. Have you and the neighbor talked and tried to come up with a solution, or is she just being rotten.
3 people like this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
12 Feb 09
Hi Ms. Tickle,
I feel the same way about confining animals against their will. I don't know if this cat was used to the outdoors when you got him. It will take some time to train him as an indoor cat. He should also be neutered. One thing you could consider is having a cat run built. It can be narrow but high enough to put in a tree stump with a branch or two that he can climb. It would be enclosed with chicken wire so he can still see outside world and if you have a large yard it could be quite long. Since it is just posts and chicken wire with a chicken wire roof I imagine it would not cost to much. I have seen one of those narrow long runs at a place where people had pheasants. They seemed to be quite content.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
12 Feb 09
First off i do not think your cat is killing chickens, i have never heard of that..Dogs kill chickens but a cat? i do not think so...I hate bad neighbors, shes just a mean ole witch....Gosh i just hate bad neighbors....You really cannot harness a cat, they are free spirits and you cannot control them like you can a dog..My cat also loves out doors, but now that i have an apartment he has to stay inside..It took a few days to get him use to it but he finally Now likes it and he uses the litter box too..If i were you i would tell my neighbor that she better leave my cat alone or i would go kill them chckens myself and fry them up..
3 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
12 Feb 09
It sounds like your neighbor should be in that cage! Seriously though, when I was a teenager we lived in a rural, woodsy area so my cat was outdoors a good part of the time. Then after graduation I got a job in another community where I had to get an apartment. It was a city environment, so I wasn't able to let my cat outside at all. To help with the transition, my vet clipped her claws really short, and also gave me some really mild tranquilizers for her. They were just to help her relax, because the transition can be very stressful. Then I got her a bunch of cat toys, grew some pots of 'kitty greens' for eating, and let nature take it's course. Once she found her own special 'hiding' places she slowly adjusted. I don't remember having to use those tranquilizers more than once or twice. Maybe for a while the transition would be easier if you kept him inside. It sounds like he was doing ok, until he was teased with being outside, but not free. Try keeping him in until you feel that he's comfortable being in. Then you can make the decision whether or not to let him go out. They really do adjust well to being indoors, it just takes time.
3 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 Feb 09
I see, thanks for that. The harness really traumatised him, the poor baby. You might be right...it is possibly a bit confusing him to let him out when I'm trying to keep him in.
He was really worrying me earlier which prompted me to start this. He is fast asleep beside me now on a cane bar stool under the window. Thank you for your help. 
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Feb 09
I suppose the neighbor cannot be confined to her barracks?
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Feb 09
She should be put into solitary and the key thrown away as far as I'm concerned flower. I'm told she's a troublemaking interfering busybody. My friend wants to replace the wire fence between us with a tin one so she can't spy on us as she does.
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
22 Feb 09
It is hard for an outdoor animal to suddenly become an indoor animal. Maybe if you have a screened window the cat can get in and look out it might help. I also wonder if you couldn't turn into the police that the woman threatened to kill your cat...talk about a hateful person. You might also try keeping him away from the other pets for a few days if you can till he gets a little more settled down. I wish you luck.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
23 Feb 09
Hi Tina. Banjo spent more time indoors sleeping than being outside. But he did like going out at night when he would hunt mice (and bring them home) and he liked to use the bathroom outside too. He can't get used to going inside it seems. Sometimes he tries to go out and when I go to him and take him to the litter box he relieves himself and settles down. It seems that he likes me to be with him sometimes when he goes. The dog and I were standing by while he 'went' the other night and the dog slipped away and piddled a huge puddle on the hall carpet runner...as if she thought it was okay now to go to the bathroom in the house.
As for windows...our house is practically all windows and sliding glass doors. Banjo has access to all the windows and likes to look out but not as much as I thought he would. I've placed chairs behind curtains so he can fall asleep looking out. His scratching pole with the perch is next to a window and various stools where he sleeps are placed next to windows.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
12 Feb 09
I am sorry to hear that your neighbor is causing you so much grief, Ms Tickle. I know for a fact that there are pets who prefer the outdoors much like some people do. I don't know how affordable they are but I saw a type of fenced-in enclosure for pets somewhere that could really come in handy for you to use. There was not a whole lot of room, but it was enough to allow your pet to enjoy the outdoors to some degree without the fear of having them come to harm or be annoying to anyone else. I don't like the idea of keeping pets pent up either but some neighbors can be downright disagreeable.
3 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
21 Feb 09
Hi Ms Tickle! Oh that neighbor of yours is mean and I do think that it is best to keep Banjo inside for awhile. I really have not cared for a cat but have been feeding a few stray cats at my home each night. I think that you can train him and if it needs 3 weeks, I think you can do it. Maybe, you can give him some toys like balls to play around. Good luck and hoping Banjo can adjust soon.
Take care and have a great day!
lovelots...faith
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
23 Feb 09
Hello my lovely faith. Banjo is coming along ok sometimes and sometimes it is still hard for him. I have bought him some table tennis balls and I have hung up and let swing on elastic some catnip filled toys but he is not interested in them. He does play, but not with toys like that. He is sleeping more...poor boy, he is suck a lovely puss and yes, my neighbour is very mean.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
13 Feb 09
Hi Tickle...I don't blame you a bit for feeling upset at having to restrict your cat. On the other hand, I can understand the neighbor's frustration too but I do think she is carrying it a bit far...caging the cat??? Geez...that's just craziness! Ok so I've been giving this a bit of thought...beware...im very blonde. What about an electric type fence to go around her chicken coop? Or one in your yard...you know that keeps dogs in the yard? Cats are smaller, more agile and harder to contain but it seems there must be a way without keeping her confined to indoors all the time.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Feb 09
LOL sid, thanks for joining in. My yard is huge...I have a plan to put a large enclosure there for Banjo....like a giant bird cage but for my cat so the wild birds are also safe. Banjo is not a killer per se but he does hunt. I don't think he is responsible for killing anyone's chooks.He is just the closest and most visible cat around.
The neighbour is quite overbearing and I've been warned she is a trouble maker. Enough said as far as I'm concerned.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
6 Apr 09
He's a male cat, so he needs his own litter box. Cats are very finicky when it comes to peeing in a box that another cat has peed in.
Scratching posts, grass grown in a litter tray and other cat toys will help him adjust, though he's probably the king of the house by now.
Some cats are fussy about the materials they pee in too. some don't like paper pellet cat litter, some don't like the gravel. I know one of my cats would pee in cat biscuits when I ran out of her favourite cat litter (or should I say, had to throw it away becuase the laundry flooded!) and couldn't get to the shops until the morning. It worked. And no, I didn't serve them upto her the next day, I put them in the compost heap.
Our cats were outdoor cats for a while, though locked in at night, but once they were kept in permenantly, they became terrified of the outside world, and wouldn't come near the door when it was accidentally left open. A cat is safer inside, but it is your choice.
Just like to point out that for Australian's, in most states, it is against the law to allow your cat outside after sunset, unless they are confined in a specially designed cat run that allows for adequete movement. Feral cats are a huge problem here and are responsible for the extinction of around 200 birds, small mammals, frogs and insects since being introduced to the country.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
6 Apr 09
He's using the litter box ok. He likes to go when I go sometimes and he would like me to take him to the tray and stay with him but he has lately been going by himself. He still tries to get out and sometimes he does. He just wanders outside and sits with the goats. He lets me bring him back in. He cries at the windows when I'm gardening as he always used to be with me when I was outside. I know he is safer inside and so are the little animals. The kitchen window he has access to has a holy fly screen. The frogs come through and share the bench with Banjo. One got into a cupboard covered with a curtain. Banjo knocked everything he could out of the cupboard except the two stacked, heavy roasting pans. There was a frog in there. He just watches them and makes no attempt to hurt them. I had some plant shoots in an ice cream tub half filled with water on the bench. Banjo was drinking out of it. Today, I decided to try and plant the shoots and when I got the tub down off the bench, there were two big frogs in it.
He's playing more and really taking over the house and he seems content. I go away overnight every three months to see my Dad. Before, Banjo would disappear for a few hours when I came home...I think to punish me for going away. I went away last week and he was so affectionate and loving when I came home. I have a friend who comes in to feed the critters and he kindly cleaned out the litter tray for me as well. I thought by now he would have gained weight and be sleeping more but he is still as sleek and active as ever..
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
10 May 09
Excellent outcome! That is great news that Banjo has finally accepted his new lifestyle! Well done to the both of you!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Apr 09
i was checking back here, just to see how things have been with Banjo. i guess you havent been able to get rid of your nasty neighbor
but i see poor Banjo is adapting somewhat.
but i see poor Banjo is adapting somewhat.1 person likes this
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
16 Feb 09
my cat is a spoiled indoor cat, even though before i adopted him from a neighbor he was indoor/outdoor. i keep him indoor, and he is happy. he has his litter box and food area that he goes to as needed. he has his favorite toys--scratch boards and posts. he has his bed and blanket that he always sleep in. and i recently bought him a tall cat tree because he loves to climb. so, the secret is too keep ur cat busy with what she/he loves.
cats also love paper bags. animals get restless like kids. wanting to go outside is an animal's way of say or whining, "i am bored. nothing to do here." and they stand walking around restlessly, wanting to go in and out, not knowing where to go or what to do.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
Yes, you've described my boy alright. He has lots of things to scratch and
climb on and he plays with Lucy and I. He also has boxes and bins he likes
to play in. He's destroyed all my paper carrier bags already....lol. He
had a bug this morning and he was having a wonderful time rolling around
with it and throwing it in the air. He'll be fine, I'm sure.
1 person likes this
@aprilj1231 (288)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I don't know if it helps any, but I used to have a cat that we trained to walk on a leash. It wasn't a harness, just a leash and collar. We worked with him inside first and then around the yard. He loved it, but then he did always think he was a dog. My aunt has also trained her cats and actually when they have their leashes on she just allows them to trail behind the cats on the ground--they won't get more than a few feet from her because they still think they are being held. Good luck with your kitty blues.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
1 Mar 09
Hi April, I did buy him a little red harness and lead and it was very strange for him and he wriggled out of it at the first opportunity when I wasn't looking. I decided not to try that for a while because I thought...if I have to train him to stay indoors, I should do just that. Not confuse him with staying indoors and going out on a lead.
He's escaped a couple of times when I've opened the door but he has also not even attempted to escape a few times now. He still wants me to go to the litter box with him sometimes and I'm not sure why.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Mar 09
Yeah, she's a real old hag. Banjo would always spend time with me outside. One of the things we would do together is water the plants. I have big windows all the way round my house and wherever in the garden I moved, Banjo would be at the window yelling at me to let him come out too. I understand his frustration so well not only that but I think he holds on till he goes to the bathroom. This morning was so funny. I was sitting on the loo and Banjo was crouched over the kitty litter...he is in the hallway outside the loo, he looked at me and I'm sure we both must have been wearing the same expressions. He doesn't always go when I go but that's what happened this morning...lol.
@aprilj1231 (288)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Your poor confused kitty, he sounds like he's worried that if you're not watching him potty then you'll get mad at him for going potty indoors. I hope he gets more comfortable with the house cat lifestyle. I'm sorry you have a mean neighbor.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Feb 09
First of all your Neighbor should be reported for Harassing the poor little thing, she is one evil cow
I could say worse but I shall be nice, I just hate People like that, she is upsetting you and the poor little Fellow, yes you can train him to stay in and it does take patience, the only thing that I can suggest when he goes mad, talk gently to him to calm him as he is getting distressed that he can't go out it will take time and loving that is all you can do
I am sorry that you are forced to keep the little Fellow in
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Feb 09
Aww Gabs, thank you. That's exactly what I have been doing...distracting him with soft words and cuddles. We are also playing together more and having great fun. There is nothing you can think or say about this woman that I haven't already thought and said. A few people have warned me about her and said she is a real nasty piece of work. My guard is up now and if she wants a fight she might get a surprise.
1 person likes this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
15 Feb 09
Hi Doll
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble.
It is hard to cage an animal that is used to freedom
and basically this is what he feels you are doing.
Go check out some of the rescue sites..ask how they do
it when they bring strays.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
What a good idea, thanks Raydene. We domn't have much of that sort of thing but I'm thinking you've put me on the right track. Banjo spent most of his time inside quite happily. He would go outside to use the bathroom and to play and do cat things. It's creating a lot of stress for me as well as him. Even though he is slowly getting used to things and getting himself into a routine, he is keeping me awake at night and I'm just sad for him.
Thanks for that suggestion you clever girl.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
14 Feb 09
lots of catnip and attention.
we kept our tabby in years ago when he reached 10 years old-he was constantly getting in fights and the vet bills were astronomical(it was never my idea to let him out-my dad's)..he protested at first,but he got over it.
the main thing was diverting his attention from thinking of "escaping".
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
15 Feb 09
It's a real shame Banjo isn't able to get outside and have his exercise - and cats are notoriously hard to confine to barracks. The only thing I've heard of which works is an electronic wire thingie which attaches along the top of a fence and which keeps pets inside their area. I have no idea how expensive this is (it's not electric, but electronic, and doesn't give a shock). There are also 'cat runs' which are long cages that can be placed all around the yard - but these are very expensive and the cat is still confined within the run. I'm not sure about cats being 'trained' as such - but good luck with it!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
I have a huge yard and dealing with the fence around the boundaries is not an option. The cat cage and walkway is an option but I'm not saying anything yet so I don't jinx things...wink wink, nudge nudge.
Banjo actually spent most of his time here inside, sleeping or just hanging out. He would go out to spend time with the other critters and do his business. He would also go hunting and usually bring home several mice a day to play with. He has several possies around the place where he likes to sleep as well. I think he doesn't totally love the litter tray...I'm with him there but he's using it...middle of the night is when the moon and stars call to him...my poor baby. He settles and goes off to sleep after some soft talk and cuddles.
Banjo actually spent most of his time here inside, sleeping or just hanging out. He would go out to spend time with the other critters and do his business. He would also go hunting and usually bring home several mice a day to play with. He has several possies around the place where he likes to sleep as well. I think he doesn't totally love the litter tray...I'm with him there but he's using it...middle of the night is when the moon and stars call to him...my poor baby. He settles and goes off to sleep after some soft talk and cuddles.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
14 Feb 09
Keeping your cat indoors sounds like a solution as it appears you have the neighbour from hell.
I have two cats and they live indoors at all times. One of them I have had for 13 years so he has been trained as an indoor cat since 6 weeks of age. The other was a stray that we adopted a few years ago. She lived outside for a while until she went missing for a couple of days and I whisked her inside when she returned because I feared losing her due to lots of cars around. She fussed a bit at first but after about a week she was fine.
I wonder if you got another cat whether Mr Banjo might not get as bored.
You can build outside enclosures for cats but they are expensive which explains why I don't have one.
I am inclined to think that perseverance may just pay off. I wouldn't let your cat out again because I would seriously fear for his safety.
Indoor cats are not unhappy once they are used to it providing they have plenty of room; my cats do not even try to get out if I leave the door open now and they do have full run of the back part of the house and one actually sleeps with me which is probably not good but so what!
I do hope you resolve this problem;stick at it and remember; you are doing this for Mr Banjo's safety. Good luck, keep us posted!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Feb 09
Although I have a 3 bedroom home, it is pretty basic. There are either living rooms where we eat or sleeping rooms. His litter tray is in the room my daughter uses when she visits. She'll spew when she comes next time and the litter tray will have to go in my room. Another cat would mean another litter tray and I couldn't handle that. Besides, if things didn't work out I'd be stuck with the extra kitty. Banjo has complete run of the house. I think he will eventually be ok.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
5 Mar 09
Your neighbour needs their head examined, but anyway. Time is the key here. The peeing is just his way of getting even for something he doesn't like. LOL, they are just like children.
Give him another week and see how it goes. It takes time and adjustment. I've had many of cats from outside that had a stay indoors and it took them sometime too, but they got used to it.
Sorry to say, but he's frustrated as you are. Time is what I say.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Mar 09
I know he is frustrated. I'm sure he is confused and sad too. He has made some wonderful possies where he can look outside and he spends a lot of time there . There are other places he likes to spend time too. It's been 31/2 weeks now. One place online said it would take 3 weeks, someone here said it would take 4. Yesterday he cried and cried to go out and he did get away from me and he dashed off. I caught him and brought him back and he still cried to go out. In some ways he seems more settled but in other ways, not yet.
