help with roaming neighborhood cat

[Amandasmom]

Here is a question from my sister. I told her I would ask you folks for ideas.

We have a neighbor cat that come over and jumps our fence into the courtyard. This cat goes after my cats. I am not sure who starts the fight but I do know my cats do not like strangers. How can we keep this cat out of our fenced in yard? We know the owner and she says the cat is very friendly and likes to visit the neighbors. Prior to us moving into this house the neighbors cat had full run of our house since the doors were always left open. The big problem is the neighbor cat has claws and is starting to swipe at my cats. My cats are declawed and neutered. Is there something we can do to make the other cat not want to jump into our year? Of course we can trap the cat or call our neighbor but I don’t think we should force our neighbor to keep a cat who has been roaming the neighborhood for over 10 years locked in the house. I’m thinking we can put something smelly outside the fence such as moth crystals or something.

[jason]

(i might get some heat for this, who knows)

if my cats were in some danger like that, i would make it real clear to the owners of this roamer that i plan on taking some action. if you are there when this roamer is agitating your cats, i would use the old water squirt routine along with some loud noises (can w/ marbles).

i am not against neighborhood cats, dont get me wrong (my neighborhood is nearly overrun with them, college students use us as a drop off, sad)...but i care a great deal for my own and dont want their lives altered in a negative way for any reason.

i understand the "been out for 10 years and we know these people" situation, but i would at least defend the area that is yours and your cats.

maybe setup a few sprinklers with a water switch that is activated by motion?

ok, im done.

[Traci]

Another suggestion is asking the owner to start acclimating her kitty indoors.....since this kitty is 10 years of age and prone to health conditions as a senior cat, if allowed outdoors, they may not be able to determine if kitty has an illness....not to mention all the outdoor hazards.

[wildorchid78]

I think moth balls (and or crystals) are toxic to cats and I don't think the other owner would want anything to happen to her cat. there are special products made that repel cats. I'm sorry I don't know the exact name but there's sprays and crystals that can be used. they hate the smell of the stuff. I've used a spray to stop cats from jumping on places they weren't supposed to be. try to work out a schedule with the other cats owner , that's if she ever puts him inside.

[Yzma]

where does he normally jump in from? you could try using double sided tape if it's a flat enough area... that might discourage him... but you should definetly assert yourself as far as protecting your cats and your yard from pests... even if they are your friends cats... or you could tell your neighbour that your cats have infectious diseases that spread really quick... that might make him/her more willing to do something about keeping their cat indoors...