topic advice about cat in Community Chat

advice about cat

vaberry — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 02:14:13 GMT

Cats are okay, but I don't want one. What I need advice about is a cat who keeps trying to come in.

I just moved into a new to me townhouse. The townhouse was a foreclosure so I never met the owners. It was vacant for 5 months prior to me purchasing it.

There's a big, fat cat who will sit by my door and when the door opens, tries to come in. I purchased and had a screen door installed so I could keep the cat out. The cat roams and I've seen it go inside another house. It will sit outside my door for an hour that I know of and sits on my car sometimes.

I don't feed the cat. I don't pet the cat. I would not do anything to hurt the cat. I just don't want a cat.

Suggestions on how to get the cat stay away. Should I call animal control?

Re: advice about cat

Sabatini2 — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 02:36:37 GMT

Isn't it funny how different we all are? I'd love that! But I'm a stray lover.

I remember back when I was young & my kids were very small, & I was petless for a time. One day I got to thinking that I really wished I had a cat, & for some reason opened my kitchen door, & in walked a cat! We were together for years. Her name was Clarice.

I know that's no help to you. Maybe the kitty used to live in your townhouse & was left behind by her/his owners. Grr. Could you try to find out some info? The cat deserves to be safely housed in a loving home.

If I were you, I'd try to find a cat rescue group in your area. Call them. I'm sure they'll come & get the cat.

Try here?

Search Shelters And Rescue Groups Near You

Re: advice about cat

vaberry — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 02:57:38 GMT

Thanks for the reply. I've never owned a cat so I wasn't sure if coming in just anywhere was just normal behavior. The way the cat kept trying to come in made me wonder if it had lived here at one point.

It's really cold so no cat. When it was warmer, I would see a teenager down the street holding and playing with the cat sometimes. I'll either follow the cat home and ask where it goes or stop and ask the next time I see the teenager playing with the cat.

Re: advice about cat

lolakimono — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 02:58:07 GMT

If he's a fatty, he's probably someone's pet nearby. Does he have a collar?

Re: advice about cat

57babe — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 04:02:18 GMT

First of all, don't call animal control! This kitty is probably one of your neighbors cat that might have been in the habit of visiting the previous tenants for tea & crumpets...

We had a cat that loved to visited all of our neighbors -- but everyone loved her and they all knew that she belonged to our family.

I have some suggestions for you:

There is a product called "KEEP OFF" made by Four Paws. This is a cat deterrent. I have it -- it doesn't have a foul odor. It has more of a plastic smell. I don't find it offensive smelling at all, but cats don't like the smell of it. I've used it to keep my new rescue kitties from jumping up onto my kitchen counters. It works -- my cats don't like the smell of it at all.

Anyway, you can spray some of this on an old tea towel (or cloth) and lay it on the porch. Or, depending on the type of door you have, you can also spray some on the outside of door/screen. Just read the directions.

(I say to spray an old towel as a precaution because I don't know what type of materials your door and porch is made. This spray is supposed to be left on the area and not immediately wiped away. So I spray this product on an old towel and leave it in the area I want the cats to be discouraged from jumping on. I have never sprayed it directly on furnishings or painted surfaces so I don't know whether or not it would damage those surfaces. Just a heads up.

You can also put some lemon zest on a towel and lay that on your porch. Cats don't like the smell of lemon/orange rind.

Always use only the safe, harm-free & environmentally friendly cat deterrents. If I think of anything else I'll post it.

Hope this helps.

Re: advice about cat

beastielove — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 04:37:44 GMT

berry50

57babe gave you excellent advice. Trust me...when it comes to cats, she knows what she's talking about.

Please don't call animal control!They'll have that poor cat put down ASAP and they are NOT to be trusted!

------------------------------------------------------

All of my children have paws =^..^=

Re: advice about cat

Mominohio — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 01:29:11 GMT

OP, bless you for not wanting to be mean. Many people who aren't "cat people" can't stand them, and will be mean to them. I have to second the idea that the cat may belong to someone in the area. We had a cat that would cross the street and go into the neighbors house everyday, and it was months before the neighbor knew he was ours. We wondered why he was getting so fat, but he had tuna everyday, while he was visiting her, and she had a part time pet, without all the work and expense!

Please ask around your new neighborhood, and someone should know the story behind the cat.

Re: advice about cat

Angry Bird — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 03:32:46 GMT

Please don't call animal control. We are dog lovers but had 2 cats years ago that we kept inside. We loved these cats but hated the litter box. After they passed away, I said I would NEVER have another cat inside. Well, this summer 2 cats (kittens) started coming around a lot and would cry but wouldn't let us near them. It got to me one evening and I fed them, well they just kept coming back. Amazing how that works! LOL! with the bitter cold ice storm we got the first part of December, we now have an indoor/outdoor cat who is now spayed and very fat from all the food she has eaten. Our dogs love her and I do too but still hate, hate, hate the litter box.

Please do not call animal control..sprinkle cayenne pepper on your porch. It works in discouraging cats from coming around your home.

Re: advice about cat

stevieb — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:10:13 GMT

You indicated you'd never want to hurt the kitty so I'd see no reason to call animal control. They surely are not going to be his new best friends...

Re: advice about cat

vaberry — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 18:54:05 GMT

On 1/8/2014 stevieb said:
You indicated you'd never want to hurt the kitty so I'd see no reason to call animal control. They surely are not going to be his new best friends...

If I wanted a cat, I would get one. I bought a house not a cat and no where did it say you get one you have to have the other.

I have a son, but I don't let my kid wander to visit the neighbors and go into their homes.

I posted because I've never had a cat so I do not know their typical behaviors. I was hoping some cat owners would give me some ideas. I do not want to hurt the cat, but nor do I see the cat as my responsibility. I don't want it in my house or on my car.

I will check around the neighborhood to find out the story on this cat. I have found out since moving here I have moved into a very pet friendly community. My first night here was Halloween and a woman took her dog trick or treating. She let me know I should have dog treats for my neighbors. Takes all kinds.

Re: advice about cat

Rooney1 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 03:42:32 GMT

On 1/12/2014 berry50 said:
On 1/8/2014 stevieb said:
You indicated you'd never want to hurt the kitty so I'd see no reason to call animal control. They surely are not going to be his new best friends...

If I wanted a cat, I would get one. I bought a house not a cat and no where did it say you get one you have to have the other.

I have a son, but I don't let my kid wander to visit the neighbors and go into their homes.

I posted because I've never had a cat so I do not know their typical behaviors. I was hoping some cat owners would give me some ideas. I do not want to hurt the cat, but nor do I see the cat as my responsibility. I don't want it in my house or on my car.

I will check around the neighborhood to find out the story on this cat. I have found out since moving here I have moved into a very pet friendly community. My first night here was Halloween and a woman took her dog trick or treating. She let me know I should have dog treats for my neighbors. Takes all kinds.

Yes, it does take all kinds - and I am one of those kind... As was suggested, the kitty probably visited the previous owner. You have been given some good advise. Please talk with the neighbors, despite them being "all kinds." Perhaps someone can shed light on the kitties situation. I also would imagine the kitty will figure out you are not an animal person and stop visiting. At least I hope so, for their sake. Good luck.

Re: advice about cat

hyacinth003 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 04:20:32 GMT

Geez, how horrible that a cat comes to your house.

I hope it gets the message soon not to come there.

Hyacinth

Re: advice about cat

okBlonde — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:27:44 GMT

On 1/12/2014 berry50 said:
On 1/8/2014 stevieb said:
You indicated you'd never want to hurt the kitty so I'd see no reason to call animal control. They surely are not going to be his new best friends...

If I wanted a cat, I would get one. I bought a house not a cat and no where did it say you get one you have to have the other.

I have a son, but I don't let my kid wander to visit the neighbors and go into their homes.

I posted because I've never had a cat so I do not know their typical behaviors. I was hoping some cat owners would give me some ideas. I do not want to hurt the cat, but nor do I see the cat as my responsibility. I don't want it in my house or on my car.

I will check around the neighborhood to find out the story on this cat. I have found out since moving here I have moved into a very pet friendly community. My first night here was Halloween and a woman took her dog trick or treating. She let me know I should have dog treats for my neighbors. Takes all kinds.

I think you should have researched your neighborhood before buying your home. Around here everyone dresses their dogs up for Halloween and take them trick or treating on a leash.

I sure hope you don't involve animal control in this - that's a sure death for the poor cat.

Re: advice about cat

adelle38 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:36:59 GMT

On 1/13/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:
On 1/12/2014 berry50 said:
On 1/8/2014 stevieb said:
You indicated you'd never want to hurt the kitty so I'd see no reason to call animal control. They surely are not going to be his new best friends...

If I wanted a cat, I would get one. I bought a house not a cat and no where did it say you get one you have to have the other.

I have a son, but I don't let my kid wander to visit the neighbors and go into their homes.

I posted because I've never had a cat so I do not know their typical behaviors. I was hoping some cat owners would give me some ideas. I do not want to hurt the cat, but nor do I see the cat as my responsibility. I don't want it in my house or on my car.

I will check around the neighborhood to find out the story on this cat. I have found out since moving here I have moved into a very pet friendly community. My first night here was Halloween and a woman took her dog trick or treating. She let me know I should have dog treats for my neighbors. Takes all kinds.

I think you should have researched your neighborhood before buying your home. Around here everyone dresses their dogs up for Halloween and take them trick or treating on a leash.

I sure hope you don't involve animal control in this - that's a sure death for the poor cat.

Seriously? When you're buying a home you need to be concerned about animal trick or treaters? That's ridiculous. If people want to take dogs trick or treating, good for them, but you shouldn't expect every house you stop at to have animal treats. The OP said she doesn't want to harm the cat, she's just not into cats and wants some advice.

Re: advice about cat

okBlonde — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 22:28:26 GMT

Puhleeez.....I was being sarcastic.

Re: advice about cat

Silver Lining — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 01:33:50 GMT

On 1/13/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:
Puhleeez.....I was being sarcastic.

Hi IB2, have you ever noticed how people who say they aren't animal lovers & have no tolerance for them (especially cats) usually have no sense of humor?!

Re: advice about cat

adelle38 — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 02:08:24 GMT

On 1/13/2014 Silver Lining said:
On 1/13/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:
Puhleeez.....I was being sarcastic.

Hi IB2, have you ever noticed how people who say they aren't animal lovers & have no tolerance for them (especially cats) usually have no sense of humor?!

I am an animal lover. I have a cat. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

Re: advice about cat

Silver Lining — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 02:39:21 GMT

On 1/13/2014 adelle38 said:
On 1/13/2014 Silver Lining said:
On 1/13/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:
Puhleeez.....I was being sarcastic.

Hi IB2, have you ever noticed how people who say they aren't animal lovers & have no tolerance for them (especially cats) usually have no sense of humor?!

I am an animal lover. I have a cat. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

IB2 loves all animals to the nth degree and has a special place in her heart for cats in particular. Her one-liners are her way of "speaking" without a lot of fuss. She used the word "sarcastic" instead of "facetious" the meaning of which she probably intended. No need to dis her. Peace to all animals lovers and those who try to help them.

Re: advice about cat

okBlonde — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 16:56:47 GMT

On 1/13/2014 Silver Lining said:
On 1/13/2014 adelle38 said:
On 1/13/2014 Silver Lining said:
On 1/13/2014 Indy-Blonde2 said:
Puhleeez.....I was being sarcastic.

Hi IB2, have you ever noticed how people who say they aren't animal lovers & have no tolerance for them (especially cats) usually have no sense of humor?!

I am an animal lover. I have a cat. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

IB2 loves all animals to the nth degree and has a special place in her heart for cats in particular. Her one-liners are her way of "speaking" without a lot of fuss. She used the word "sarcastic" instead of "facetious" the meaning of which she probably intended. No need to dis her. Peace to all animals lovers and those who try to help them.

Thanks, Silver Lining, for sticking up for me. I was in an extremely bad mood yesterday due to my job....having to fill in for a deadbeat co-worker. I fell outside in the snow a week ago hurting my shoulder and having to do this deadbeat's job yesterday didn't help my shoulder pain any

Re: advice about cat

spot555 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 20:05:29 GMT

Geez, I feel so sorry for that cat. PLEASE don't call animal control. The cat can't help that its stuck outside (that is, if it doesn't have a home). It may actually belong to someone in your community.

I'd never had a cat my entire life....that is until a tiny tabby stray thought otherwise. I knew ZERO about cats- I'd always been a dog person. Well, cats are pretty amazing. Since my first stray, I've rescued 27 neighborhood strays, working with a lovely local rescue (they are angels!)

I have never been able to turn my back on ANY stray animal. To me its like having a young child come to my door, look into my eyes, & ask for help. These animals are in a bad situation, & they can't do anything about it. How can you just turn away?