Territorial cat

Fridaycat

sparklysaver wrote: »

Ah, the things you learn when it's too late and you're already completely besotted with the little horror! :rotfl:

But, rather bizarrely, she's now gone and baffled me by making a friend. The young boy cat from across the back is her new playmate; I did think at first that they were fighting but it appears they're actually having fun chasing each other round the garden, jumping out from behind plant-pots and stopping for a little wrestle every so often. I can't get rid of him now; as soon as I open the back door he's waiting there for her to come out.:rotfl::rotfl:

She's still an aggressive little madam to all the other cats though. Weird!

The joys of being owned by cats :rotfl: Part of their charm is that we'll never fully understand them!

sparklysaver

Fridaycat wrote: »

The joys of being owned by cats :rotfl: Part of their charm is that we'll never fully understand them!

Yes, I'm learning this on a daily basis!

Good luck with your new kittens

Fridaycat

sparklysaver wrote: »

Yes, I'm learning this on a daily basis!

Good luck with your new kittens

Thanks! The breeder is bringing them round at 11:30 am tomorrow, so less than 12 hours to go. To say that I am excited is an under-statement :rotfl:

sparklysaver

purple.sarah wrote: »

However I have no interest in turning this thread into an argument, just supplying info about the stats since you asked. I hope the OP finds a solution to her cat's problem.

I think I'd be a lot less sure about letting her out if I lived near a busy road, but luckily there's almost no danger from traffic here so I don't have to worry about making that decision. That's probably why there are so many cats; I can imagine people who're looking for a safe home for their pets would choose to live here!

She's been a lot better the last few days anyway; she's still unhappy when other cats come onto her territory but she's not been wandering out the garden seeking them out, so fingers crossed!

tankgirl1

purple.sarah wrote: »

However I have no interest in turning this thread into an argument, just supplying info about the stats since you asked. I hope the OP finds a solution to her cat's problem.

I agree - this is a topic for a whole other thread

OP - welcome to the life of being owned by a tortie - it can be hard work, but its worth it:T

purple.sarah

sparklysaver wrote: »

Thanks for the responses everyone. I know there are arguments for keeping cats indoors & I've thought about it, but decided against. There's no traffic at the back of the house where she gets out & she'd have to go a very long way to get round to the front, which is in any case a quiet cul-de-sac, so overall it's as minimal a traffic risk as there can be in a built up area. She doesn't wander far anyway, she seems more interested in maintaining her own territory rather than exploring. She's also in overnight. She loves playing in the garden and sitting outside in the sun (& particularly chasing flies - which she does inside too but then she usually catches & eats them:rotfl:), so I'm going to carry on letting her out.

I had also thought about a harness, one of my friends used one when she moved house with her cat so it could get used to its territory, and it might yet come to that but I'm going to let her carry on as she is for the time being & see if things settle when she's established her territory.

It's good that you've thought it through, I hope things settle down.
If you're going to try her with a harness do it while she's young as I've heard later in life they don't adjust to it very well, because they don't like the extra weight. If you decided to try it in the future and she wasn't used to it she might not like it.

purple.sarah

sparklysaver wrote: »

I think I'd be a lot less sure about letting her out if I lived near a busy road, but luckily there's almost no danger from traffic here so I don't have to worry about making that decision. That's probably why there are so many cats; I can imagine people who're looking for a safe home for their pets would choose to live here!

She's been a lot better the last few days anyway; she's still unhappy when other cats come onto her territory but she's not been wandering out the garden seeking them out, so fingers crossed!

It's good she's calming down.

vl2588

The indoor cat I used to have (long story!) hated his harness unfortunately, he was prob a bit too old when I introduced it (rescued as an adult). Have seen cats take to harnesses really well though, certain pedigree cats bred for different personality traits seem to take to them a lot better...seem more confident.

Moomin21

my tortie is mental...she's the sweetest little puss with me, loves cuddles and is super soppy, following me round and purring...but as soon as she sees another cat she completely changes!!! she's constatly chasing other cats away from the garden, and sits in front of her cat flap inside, looking out incase other cats try and get in!! I worry about her but she seems to be taking care of herself quite well!!!

I'd love to get another rescue cat, but would fear for its safety!!!

talulahbeige_2

Agree with patchwork cat.
Your garden has been part of another cats territory and she is claiming it for herself, the other cats will stop coming into your garden slowly but surely and she will calm down a bit.

However, I have had a 14 yr old ginger girl (cross between long and short - all the bad bits of both!) and she can still have her moments even now, she was alot worse before she became an OAP tho. These days she is still aggressive to other cats who come in our garden but it's usually from behind the patio doors whilst all comfy on her giant bean bag!

For the record - she has never been stopped from going out, is 14 and the vet can't believe how old she is.