Cat using soft-top as scratchboard - Help

Pont

My neighbours cat is using the soft top of my car as a scratchboard. I've been throwing jugs of water at it when I've seen it there but obviously I can't sit in wait 24/7. I've had a word with my neighbours but they seem uninterested except to say 'tell the cat no' and 'put pepperdust on top of your car'! I pointed out that a new soft top costs about £1000 and that I didn't want to land them with a bill if their cat persists in doing this. Any ideas as to how a) I can keep the cat away and b) If the cat continues to scratch the soft top would I be within my rights to bill the neighbours?

Thanks in anticipation.

dacouch

Try sprinkling mustard powder on the roof where the cat scratches, it will then associate scratching the roof with a hot taste in its mouth and will eventually avoid it. (It does not harm the cat it just tastes hot). Or you could try one of the proprietory products that garden centres sell to keep cats off your garden.

terryya

Silk

:eek: don't use mustard powder on it
It will stain the hood

Do you have an air rifle ?
only joking :rotfl:

I think I would be tempted to sling a cheapie car cover over it for a while to get the cat out of the habit ???

Silk

terryya wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Pont

terryya wrote: »

Lol - very tempting!
Bricks - my aim isn't too good and said bricks would probably go through the windscreen!
Bin bag - the recycling police would cop me!
River - just have to catch the b****y thing first!

The problem with the usual remedies is that they will probably wreck the top anyway. Ultimately, is this not the cat owners responsibility to stop their cat from damaging my car? If my kids were jumping on the top of, and scratching, their cars then I would have to take responsibility and pay for any damage.

oldagetraveller

I suspect the bricks are to weigh the bag down so it sinks?:p
I know it will cost money but cheaper than the hood and less hassle with neighbour is to situate an ultrasound unit (about £20 or less) so that it's detector lines up with the hood. They are wall mountable.
I have one in my front garden and it's certainly stopped cats carping there! A pet (pun, sorry) gripe of mine, how come when a dog fouls it's an offence but cats can spread their waste anywhere and it's only natural?

Pont

oldagetraveller wrote: »

I suspect the bricks are to weigh the bag down so it sinks?:p

Whoops - never thought of that, assumed they were to throw at the pesky cat (am now going to be tarred as a violent, cat hating MSEr)!:rotfl:

maninthestreet

Almost 20 years ago, I had a Vauixhall Astra GTE 16V with vents on the bonnet. The local cats liked to warm their backsides by sitting on the vents during the colder months after I had just parked the car up. The number of scratches on the paintwork they used to make getting onto the bonnet was unbelievable.

trevormax

I would do nothing to stop the cat doing it. I would write a letter to the neighbours informing them that they will be charged for any repairs if there is any damage done by their cat. I would set up a camera to film the cat doing it so you have evidence and then if their cat did damage the roof I would tell the neighbours to pay up.

Sprinkling powder or other rubbish on the car may damage it and if you damage it your self you will have to repair it your self. Sending the letter covers you in the future if the cat does manage to do some damage. Failing that, get a dog and keep it near the car to scare off the cats

Pont

trevormax wrote: »

I would do nothing to stop the cat doing it. I would write a letter to the neighbours informing them that they will be charged for any repairs if there is any damage done by their cat. I would set up a camera to film the cat doing it so you have evidence and then if their cat did damage the roof I would tell the neighbours to pay up.

Sprinkling powder or other rubbish on the car may damage it and if you damage it your self you will have to repair it your self. Sending the letter covers you in the future if the cat does manage to do some damage. Failing that, get a dog and keep it near the car to scare off the cats

Might have to resort to this. I wanted to keep neighbourly relations as good as possible but they're not being very forthcoming at the moment. They mentioned that their cat 'has a right to roam' so I laughingly replied that I didn't believe their cat had the right to cause damage to my car especially as they might wind up with a £1000 bill. Think I will take a couple of photographs next time I see the cat on top of my car and show them. They might just take it a bit more seriously if I show them evidence.

I agree - I don't want to put a load of gunk on top of my car (neither do I feel I should go to the trouble and expense of forking out for a cover). My car is parked on my private driveway (alas no garage) so surely it is their responsibility to keep their cat off my property???!!

Have also thought about buying a dog but this is hardly fair on the dog as we're out of the house all day at work/school/college.

Heeeeeeeelp!