Intruder feline / smelly cat

50Twuncle

We have two cats - aged 16 and 17 - the older has started smelling (like cat poo) - every time that he comes in from outside - we have had a look at his rear end - and its clean - it seems to permeate his whole body.

Also - we have had a feline intruder problem for a couple of weeks - it started to come in and noisily eat dry food at 11pm+ - on going downstairs - it escapes through the cat flap  - the cats are now locked in until they need feeding and to go out (3 or 4 times a night) - my wife has been sitting by the cat flap waiting for both to return and she locks the cat flap - this is obviously taking a toll on her !

I am disabled - poor mobility - so am unable to hurry downstairs to "challenge the intruder"

Could the stinky cat be linked to the intruder cat ?

Any suggestions

Savvy_Sue

Is a chip operated cat flap not a better solution? 

50Twuncle

Savvy_Sue said:

Is a chip operated cat flap not a better solution? 

Are they strong enough to prevent a determined cat from escaping? And what about the smelly cat? *

Savvy_Sue

I can't offer any suggestions for the smelly cat, although I'd have thought at least a phone consultation with the vet might be worth pursuing.

I'm just thinking of your wife sat next to the cat flap half the night. I know I said on this thread that cats expected the staff to be on call 24/7/365 but I was joking! 

The theory is that these cat flaps can only be opened in either direction by cats entitled to enter / leave. They are operated by a chip either on the cat's collar, or possibly by the cat's microchip if the cat won't wear a collar. You can lock them at times if you need to, so no cat can get in or out, or perhaps you can allow one but not the other. 

Would the intruder still come in if there wasn't any food left out? Or if it was behind a closed door?

tacpot12

I had a problem with an intruder cat - it would come in via the cat flap and I'd be woken up by may cat defending its territory inside the house. I solved the problem by closing the kitchen door and putting the cat flap on In-only one night; when the intruder was trapped I chased it around the kitchen smacking the floor behind it with a brush, and then as I passed the cat flap, opened it so it could escape the next time it tried it. Having had this very bad experience, it never came back. 

I think this technique will work even though it might take you some time to get to the trapped cats. The intruder will not like getting caught in the act. 

Brambling

Would it be easier to get a litter tray and keep them shut in all night? Although I do appreciate that at their age changing habits is difficult if they're not use to using one.  

With regards to the smell, have you checked his feet to ensure he's not stepping in anything whilst burying it, possible if he has a runny tummy.  Alternatively if he smells is it possible he's not washing himself, older cats do get joint issues which can mean they are unable to clean themselves especially around the rear 

Mrs_Z

Microchip cat flap will deal with the intruder problem.  As for the smell... if this only happens when the cat has been outside, have you checked their paws?  If the back end is clean, there could be something trapped/smeared in the paws... when they're scooping the earth.

Pollycat

Have you checked your cat for injuries?

My cat smelled a little like that and I found that she had an open sore on her back.

The vet thought it might have been barbed wire.

She was a feral cat so not really that approachable and was also fluffy.

50Twuncle

Pollycat said:

Have you checked your cat for injuries?

My cat smelled a little like that and I found that she had an open sore on her back.

The vet thought it might have been barbed wire.

She was a feral cat so not really that approachable and was also fluffy.

Yes - and he's fine

Pollycat

50Twuncle said:

Pollycat said:

Have you checked your cat for injuries?

My cat smelled a little like that and I found that she had an open sore on her back.

The vet thought it might have been barbed wire.

She was a feral cat so not really that approachable and was also fluffy.

Yes - and he's fine

OK.

No more suggestions from me then.