Well its been quiet on the grey cat front until last night! I thought that as it had been absent for a couple of weeks and then when we did see it, we chased it off and also had a water pistol we were firing at it (didn't hit it though) that maybe it had accepted it had lost this part of its territory... not so!

Last night I spotted Jagger watching something out of the window we leave open in the conservatory for them to go in and out of. I went to take a look, couldn't see a thing but it was dark and raining and as they are both slightly skittish I thought no more of it. Until that is he came flying through the cat flap into the kitchen and I looked out to see the grey cat about to come through the window. I chased it off (so I thought) and came back in only then to hear what sounded like the start of a cat fight and then Hendrix came flying through the cat flap as well.

At this point, I shut the window as I didn't want the cat following them in and I honestly couldn't see them going out again under the circumstances - ie an unfriendly cat lurking outside and it was cold and raining.

I got a huge lecture about being over protective and that I should have left the window open and the boys should fight for their territory. But what is the point? I don't think they are ever going to fight this cat - they are too scared of it. And I don't want the cat following them in - their home should be a safe place to them!

Maybe I am over protective but I really think this cat would have them good and proper, and I don't want them to feel threatened in their own home, I've seen too many My Cat From Hell's and I don't want any litter box or spraying issues!

As it is I think Jagger was swiped on his nose as it looks sore so I'm keeping an eye on that.

Anyway, just needed to vent I think!!

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Sure, go ahead and let the cats fight it out. Let the neighborhood cat attack your cats. Let him scratch at their eyes, bite their necks, legs, whatever they can. Let your cats come in with their eyes covered in blood and fluid, bite marks on the neck (where the cat has tried to sever the jugular vein so your cat can bleed to death) and leg and you have to rush them to the vet and spend hundreds of dollars to get your cats fixed up! Or ..... you stop it and keep your cats safe. I don't see how there is any other option! Raiden had several visits to the vet when he was allowed to roam free -- his previous owner always took him AFTER the infection set in. The one time Raiden came to my back door and I saw his condition, I rushed him to the vet immediately, paid the bill, and promptly took possession of Raiden. Since that time, he hasn't had a fight with a cat -- not that he hasn't tried! Oh and not to mention how the vet wants to run a test for FIV 90 days after the fight.

My nuisance cat has finally moved away. Just hoping the new owners don't have an outdoor cat. You've got to protect YOUR cats at all costs. It is not fair to your babies. They may not want to fight, but the other cat may attack them -- and may attack you. This other cat is the aggressor and if your cats are attacked, they may try to fight them off. Whoever is telling you to let them fight it off, tell them to go out and try to fight with that cat and see how it goes. My nuisance cat attacked me and I still have four scars on my leg and paid hundreds of dollars in doctor bills and medications.

Find some way to keep this other cat away from your property.

Thanks Sherry. I think I was feeling frustrated with the situation yesterday and I won't change, I will continue to protect my boys no matter what anyone else says! It annoyed me though.

Fortunately the boys haven't been deterred from enjoying going out and I've taken the morning off to be with them today. I only work mornings on a Friday and am going to a concert later so will be gone all afternoon and evening (probably about 10 hours) so I felt it only fair to give them company and the opportunity for a good run around this morning... Saves them getting destructive in my absence - hopefully!

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

I know my post was probably a tad strong. I'm doing all I can to protect Raiden and keep him safe. He's used up at least 5 of his 9 lives. He wants to roam free but I saw how injured he was and I just couldn't let that happen to him again. We have new neighbors and I hope they don't have a cat. Pesky neighbor cats are hard to get rid of, but it's really the irresponsible owners.