Spraying tom cat threatening deposit - help!

jaype

I've also posted this on the pets forum but thought it was worth putting it here as it's about our house and means we will probably lose our deposit...

Any advice very gratefully received: six months ago we moved into a rented house (including catflap, amazingly) with our cat, who is female, spayed and very timid. We noticed there was a very young male cat amongst the others that come through our garden, but the problem is that he since hasn't been neutered and has obviously now 'come of age'. Twice in the past week he has come in to our house (once at night, once when we were at the supermarket) and sprayed on the furniture (including in the baby's bed - totally disgusting). He's not afraid of our cat at all. What can we do? I have no idea who owns him, though he does have a collar but no tag. Spraying on the kids' toys and bed is so revolting that it's hard to think straight. Our landlord only reluctantly let us have our cat there as their daughter is very allergic (we have agreed to have house prof. cleaned after we go to get rid of hair etc) - so this isn't on for the sake of our lovely landlord and her family either. If we can track down the cat's owner, can we chase them for the cost of extra cleaning or anything? Should I stick a note on the cat's collar asking them nicely to castrate it (!). How can I make it go away? we close the catflap at night but as we are in and out during the day I have to have it open during daylight so our cat can get some exercise but doesn't get stuck out in the rain - if I close it all the time then it's very unfair on her just because some cat owner is too selfish to pay a trip to the vets. Thanks!

rosysparkle

You can get catflaps which only let your own cat in and out - they have magnets or infra-red devices. I don't think they are cheap but I'd personally pay a reasonable sum to stop a cat spraying on my baby's bed! If your landlord gives permission, you could install one of these instead of the existing catflap.

A quick google suggests the Staywell range of catflaps.

I don't have cats so I don't know if they would be any good.

firesidemaid

even cats that have been castrated still spray urine - we have moved many times over the years, and sometimes our own cats have done it - very occasionally they still do.

cats are cats and i don't think you can chase their owners for anything. the suggestion from the above poster would solve the problem - or else shut the cat flap and let you cat in and out when you choose.

i have tried a product called felway before from the vets which helped for my own cats, but i don't know whether it would help for other cats. it works so that they smell it (humans can't smell it) and think that they have already sprayed!

looby-loo_2

I'd take him to the vets and have him 'done'. You might even get it done at the RSPCA/other charity perhaps, don't know
It's quick and the irresponsible owners wont even know

PasturesNew

I have no idea what to do, but could you at least shut your internal doors when you go out in the meantime?

Generali

Shotgun..?

Nomad25

Looby-L: how right you are. Jaype: have answered this on other post, same comments as Looby.

jaype

Cheers all - am going to trap it and throw it in a cold bath, as per another poster's suggestion on the pets board. it's a shame as he's a lovely cat (even chases the local resident fox away when he sees it), but just now VERY antisocial. Bloomin' irresponsible owners! Hope it pees in their shoes

kylieM_2

jaype wrote: »

Cheers all - am going to trap it and throw it in a cold bath, as per another poster's suggestion on the pets board. it's a shame as he's a lovely cat (even chases the local resident fox away when he sees it), but just now VERY antisocial. Bloomin' irresponsible owners! Hope it pees in their shoes

Please don't do that, it could make the cat ill. A simple water gun should do the trick!

Mrs_pbradley936

This definitely works on pet odours:
http://www.bactonature.com/odoureliminator.html

but you have to make sure he stays out. As others have said I would get a lock for the cat flap and put a “key” on your own cat’s collar.

Another thing you can use is the insoles you put in sweaty shoes but they must contain charcoal. You put them where the smell is and cover the area with a tea towel/ cloth. They will work best but it will be expensive if you have a huge area.

MonkeySaving?

Tell you what, i'll come and !!!! in your garden and shout at the cat. Hows about that?