Neighbor cat hunting and attacking my cat

[argus]

Hello. I'm having trouble with a neighbor's cat which comes into my yard on an almost daily basis for the sole purpose of attacking my cat. This is not just the other cat asserting itself, it is a vicious, deliberate attack. I remember one time she came back with a chunk taken out of her ear. Today it was so openly aggressive it trapped her into a corner, turned around and sprayed all over her. At the moment my cat is terrified, I've never seen a cat shake like that before. She doesn't normally leave the house but when she does it is only nearby in the yard. In this case she was sitting near the open door when the other cat came looking for her. She is already afraid to go outside unescorted because of previous attacks from the same cat. This is a problem since I have a very small unit and she really needs to be outdoors a bit for her own health. 

Why would the other cat do this? Actively hunting, attacking, wounding and spraying her? Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can keep this monster away? At this rate, unless I can do something about the aggressive cat, I might have to give mine away for her own wellbeing which would be terrible.

 

[Norachan]

It sounds as if your neighbour's cat really doesn't like sharing territory. Are both cats spayed or neutered? This helps to make cats less territorial in most cases.

To be honest it sounds like going outside is so stressful for your girl it's not worth the health benefits that fresh air and exercise bring her. Would she walk on a harness and leash? If you could take her for a walk she could explore the yard more safely. 

 

[argus]

My cat is certainly de-sexed, I don't know about the neighbor's. As for walking her on a leash, she get very stressed out about even a collar. I think having originally being a stray she is very distressed about being confined.  I've always been able to trust her outside since she isn't a wanderer. She normally just walks around the yard and plays in the bushes. Unfortunately she can't even do that anymore. In fact, the last time the other cat attacked, she was just sleeping outside my open door getting some sun.

 

[elliesvictim]

My 9 month old kitten was a feral I found in my backyard. I used to let her play outside in the day time. Too many ferals and difficulty getting her to come back in led me to her becoming an "inside" cat. You can chase away the neighbours cat but can't be there 24/7. Inside only may be best.

 

[Willowy]

Many cats never go outside, it's safest for them. Besides other cats, there are also dogs, cars, wildlife, and cruel humans to worry about. If you really want her to get some fresh air and sun, perhaps a catio would be a good idea. You can buy or build a small one. But really, in the US it's normal for cats to never go out and they don't seem to suffer for it. Sitting in the window ought to provide sufficient fesh air and sun.

 

[argus]

Hi Willowy. I'm always surprised (and disturbed) by the stories I hear about the things that happen to cats in the USA. From poisoning to shooting and more, I was just reading about a guy on a property in the US who went out each day to shoot cats for sport (including domestics). Thankfully in Australia none of that happens (at least often enough to be an issue). As long as you are not on a busy road, it is quite safe to let your cat roam. You still need to bring them inside at night to stop them fighting and for their own comfort of course, but aside from that it's fine. They don't have any predators here either. I agree though that I'm going to have to keep my cat inside though, she just isn't safe outside without supervision any more. Unfortunately she is a very adventurous and social cat so I think she would get depressed in my small unit. That's why I'm considering giving her away for her own wellbeing. I hate the thought, it also means that I can't really have a cat anymore but I don't want her to be miserable.

 

[talkingpeanut]

Hi Willowy. I'm always surprised (and disturbed) by the stories I hear about the things that happen to cats in the USA. From poisoning to shooting and more, I was just reading about a guy on a property in the US who went out each day to shoot cats for sport (including domestics). Thankfully in Australia none of that happens (at least often enough to be an issue). As long as you are not on a busy road, it is quite safe to let your cat roam. You still need to bring them inside at night to stop them fighting and for their own comfort of course, but aside from that it's fine. They don't have any predators here either. I agree though that I'm going to have to keep my cat inside though, she just isn't safe outside without supervision any more. Unfortunately she is a very adventurous and social cat so I think she would get depressed in my small unit. That's why I'm considering giving her away for her own wellbeing. I hate the thought, it also means that I can't really have a cat anymore but I don't want her to be miserable.

I think as long as you play with her and enrich her environment with toys and perches she will be fine!

 

[Norachan]

I think re-homing her really should be a last resort. Try keeping her indoors and see if she really is unhappy first of all. If you think she is miserable that way try taking her out on a harness or making her a catio. Lots of cats are perfectly content with that. It would be sad if you had to give your cat up just because of a bully in the neighbourhood.

 

[di and bob]

I think getting or building a 'kennel' fro her would be the best thing to do. especially if it had a small house inside for her to hide in. As for her being 'miserable' staying inside or having a collar on, all cats behave this way for a time. They HATE change. My cats walked around for a week, pawing and meowing about their collars, then they acted like nothing was wrong. Your cat would eventually get used to either the collar or the staying indoors, it will just take time. Sometimes months on getting them used to staying in.  She would be much more miserable being taken from the security and the home she thought was forever, I can't imagine putting her through that. If she insists on going outside, it may have to be supervised time, I know you don't have that much time, but a few minutes a day wouldn't be bad. I pray you find a solution, a talk with the owner might be a good thing too to see if you can come up with anything, but I imagine nothing would change there, but at least you notified them there was a problem. Good luck!

 

[argus]

Thanks. I'm going to try and find the owner to see if I can at least talk to them. I'm wondering if their cat is a whole Tom. As for moving her, I don't want to yet but her ability to adapt is incredible. When I first brought her home from the RSPCA she jumped out of the carrier, ran around my place exploring every corner and rubbing her face against furniture and then jumped on my lap purring before taking a nap. I had my parents look after her at their house for a few days and same thing. She was happy as a pig in muck. She really loves exploring.

 

[talkingpeanut]

If her ability to adapt is incredible she will do absolutely fine inside.  

 

[elliesvictim]

Do you trim her claws? If you do maybe stop for a while, if she's got no claws, she's got no way of defending herself. Let them grow in and give her somewhere to sharpen them. This other cat may keep coming back coz it knows your cat can't fight back.

 

[argus]

I don't trim her claws. Unfortunately she's a small girl and even though the other cat isn't much bigger it is so aggressive she always comes off second best. I often hear cat fights at night so I think it goes after other cats in the neighborhood too. Legally a cat must be locked up at night (also for their own safety) but some people don't seem to care.