Neighbours cat in my house

Kevin Finnerty

Came home one day last week to find the neighbours ginger cat sitting on the stairs looking at me as I came in the hallway. She was obviously distressed as she was miaowing and hunkering ready to jump.Opened the door and continued into the kitchen, she ran out the front door end of story.
Went upstairs to investigate how she had gotten in to see 2 bedroom windows had been left open. She had knocked over a full clothes horse and a rubbish bin which left a mess on ensuite floor. What did bother me though was she had been on our bed as the pillow was full of cat hair.Also the clothes horse fell on my wife's full length mirror and cracked it.
Do I have to keep my upstairs windows closed on account of this cat or what can I do? I don't want to fall out with the neighbour but how do I approach it?

Foweva Awone

If a cat can get in, chances are a burglar could. Take it on the chin, learn your lesson, keep the windows closed.

I certainly wouldn't go raising it with the neighbour - if it hadn't been their cat, it may just as well have been a stray. I.e. the problem is with your security, not with this particular cat.

Cockadoodledoo

A cat burglar....

It is down to your security though. What would you do if a bird flew in the window and crapped everywhere? It’s the same thing.

If you leave your windows open then you run the risk of unwanted visitors whether it’s two legged, four legged, 8 legged or winged

lolo62

Kevin Finnerty wrote: »

Came home one day last week to find the neighbours ginger cat sitting on the stairs looking at me as I came in the hallway. She was obviously distressed as she was miaowing and hunkering ready to jump.Opened the door and continued into the kitchen, she ran out the front door end of story.
Went upstairs to investigate how she had gotten in to see 2 bedroom windows had been left open. She had knocked over a full clothes horse and a rubbish bin which left a mess on ensuite floor. What did bother me though was she had been on our bed as the pillow was full of cat hair.Also the clothes horse fell on my wife's full length mirror and cracked it.
Do I have to keep my upstairs windows closed on account of this cat or what can I do? I don't want to fall out with the neighbour but how do I approach it?

That's a tricky one because outdoor cats are only semi domestic. The owner can't control what they do when they're outside. It depends on the personality of your neighbour really. If it was me and next door came in and told me that had happened, I would replace the mirror and give a bottle of wine to say sorry.

If the cats done it once now though it will more than likely do it again. Your options would be to ask the neighbour to keep the cat in...(then you're the big meany next door!) or just keep the windows closed when you're not there....or only open slightly so the cat can't get in.

porsche boy

So you leave your house unsecured when you go out.... lovely. Where do you live exactly??? Asking for a friend

Kevin Finnerty

Thanks for the replies.
I'll take it on the chin, might look into some kind of fly net or something for the opening sashes. I have it on camera so there's no issue with proving it was her.
Pepper or something on the window sills?

EL_Loco

leaving windows open while not in the house?



Sure ye can't be doing that

Canis Lupus

Have you tried explaining to the cat that you find its behaviour unacceptable?

TCM

Kevin Finnerty wrote:

Came home one day last week to find the neighbours ginger cat sitting on the stairs looking at me as I came in the hallway. She was obviously distressed as she was miaowing and hunkering ready to jump.Opened the door and continued into the kitchen, she ran out the front door end of story. Went upstairs to investigate how she had gotten in to see 2 bedroom windows had been left open. She had knocked over a full clothes horse and a rubbish bin which left a mess on ensuite floor. What did bother me though was she had been on our bed as the pillow was full of cat hair.Also the clothes horse fell on my wife's full length mirror and cracked it. Do I have to keep my upstairs windows closed on account of this cat or what can I do? I don't want to fall out with the neighbour but how do I approach it?

Was it a tiger or a domestic cat?

Sheepdish1

Hmmmm. It’s a tricky situation. What if he was there when the cat got in? It still would have likely come in if the OP was downstairs watching tv.

What would peoples opinions be if the cat entered his house when he was there and he happened to be organising to go away for a week and locked the cat in? He would likely come back to quite a mess. Who would be responsible for the cleaning bill or replacement of furniture.

This happened to a friend of mine with a neighbours ginger cat, it wasn’t spayed and soiled and urinated in her house. She’s good with security so it got in unknown when she was there.

I’m just wondering what peoples opinions are on this as it’s something I’ve often thought about. I left my front door open while I walked out to my car a few weeks ago and someone’s ginger cat got into my house which I wasn’t pleased about foR a number of reasons and I’m an animal person.

Strange they all see to be ginger cats, I think most of these are male

Should a homeowner not be able to leave back door or windows open when they want ?

Or should the cats owner control what it’s cat is up to which is obviously hard.

It’s tricky.

Sheepdish1

Just realised the op cat intruder was ginger too 🀣

porsche boy

porsche boy wrote: »

So you leave your house unsecured when you go out.... lovely. Where do you live exactly??? Asking for a friend

We leave windows open all day everyday upstairs as do the vast majority of houses (just look around you and you will see it especially if you can see the back of houses). You would swear the op was the first person ever to do it. How do you keep your house aired if you don't have windows open during the day, even in winter the first thing we do in the morning is open the bedroom window and its only close late at night.

Op can you close them so that a cat cant fit in or open them in a different way, slit rather than fully open etc. You could also try leaving something on the window sill so that cant cant walk on it or get some sort of shutter to prevent the cat being able to get in.

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Ainsley Kind Speedy wrote: »

How do you keep your house aired if you don't have windows open during the day.

Vents.

Id never leave an external door or a window open in a room I wasnt in at the time.

Besides local cats youd get local gurriers walking in and robbing the place if you did that where I live. And they are not deterred by pepper on the window sill.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Foweva Awone wrote: »

If a cat can get in, chances are a burglar could. Take it on the chin, learn your lesson, keep the windows closed.

I certainly wouldn't go raising it with the neighbour - if it hadn't been their cat, it may just as well have been a stray. I.e. the problem is with your security, not with this particular cat.

Wow, just wow...

The problem is 100% with the cat/cat owner. You are just victim blaming here. A pet owner is responsible for their pets, nobody else.There's no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

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Bjorn Breezy Mussel wrote: »

Wow, just wow...

The problem is 100% with the cat/cat owner. You are just victim blaming here. A pet owner is responsible for their pets, nobody else.There's no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

How would this certainty be established?

The OP has a ginger cat on video. Unless it is wearing an identifiable collar then it could be any ginger cat.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

....... wrote: »

How would this certainty be established?

The OP has a ginger cat on video. Unless it is wearing an identifiable collar then it could be any ginger cat.

Well, not all ginger cats ar the same, a collar is not the only way to identify a cat... Ginger or otherwise.

Stratvs

Bjorn Breezy Mussel wrote: »

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

If one of ours had done damage I'd prefer to know rather than if the neighbor just sat and seethed and didn't say anything. And yes I'd expect to put things right. No different than if a child broke a window with a ball.

The difficulty with cats is people sometimes underestimate their agility. The average Scooby Doo hasn't the capability of breaking and entering like cats. If they had opposable thumbs we'd be in real trouble. It's impossible to keep an indoor/outdoor cat to one's property unless the entire perimeter is escape proofed. We have one indoor/outdoor presently and we know she likes to visit 2 neighbors, one of whom apparently gives her the odd piece of ham, but they know just say "no" to her if she tried to come in & she stays outside. Routine is important with cats. They have excellent internal clocks. If you keep things regular they are generally happy to stick close to home.

gozunda

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

Just realised the op cat intruder was ginger too 🀣

There's a theory that the ginger cat gene originally came from Scandavia and spread across Europe etc over time. I reckon a fair few arrived here along with their kin - the Vikings. Maybe they're just a bit more into invading and pillaging than other cats

rodders999

Had this same problem during the stifling hot summer where we had to keep the bedroom window closed at night and saw room temperatures soar to 28 or 29 degrees. Very hard to sleep in that heat and coupled with the fact we had a new born in the room it was far from ideal (but better than a cat coming in the window when we were asleep none the less).

The cat would jump on a wall, shimmy across a wooden fence, jump from there to the next door neighbour's conservatory roof and from there jump to our upstairs window sill and make his way in the window. Impressive stunt work but a massive pain in the hole all the same.

Said it to the neighbour and she was absolutely mortified and she bought some sort of powder that is meant to deter cats which she put all over our boundary wall to absolutely no effect. The cat was happily sitting on the wall the day after she had done it and made further attempts at entry after that.

Bought this in the end, it's actually designed for cat owners to keep their cats in but works equally as well keeping them out so I was able to keep the window open at night with peace of mind.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flat-Cats-Window-protection-Standard/dp/B00PKFB3BA

It's not the kindest way to deal with the situation I know, but I kept a basin of water by the door at all times and any time the cat came into my garden he got a free shower for his troubles. Two or three goes of this and he hasn't been back in, he's happy to sit on the wall still but will no longer come into the garden thankfully.

Hoboo

rodders999 wrote: »

I kept a basin of water by the door at all times and any time the cat came into my garden he got a free shower for his troubles.

Thats terrible. Would you throw a basin of water on a Rottweiler or just an animal thats smaller and weaker than you? Doubt you would, which says alot.

rodders999

Hoboo wrote: »

Thats terrible. Would you throw a basin of water on a Rottweiler or just an animal thats smaller and weaker than you? Doubt you would, which says alot.

I would throw a basin of water (or a lot worse) on anyone or anything that enters my property and poses a danger to my children.

.......

Can the mods step in on this thread please as people are advocating cruelty to animals.

Gravelly

Catch the cat, smear it liberally in axle grease, and then release it so it completely destroys your neighbours house when it goes home.
Revenge sorted.

PS: For those worried about animal cruelty, ensure you use a cruelty-free brand of axle grease.

Bjorn Breezy Mussel

Bjorn Breezy Mussel wrote: »

Wow, just wow...

The problem is 100% with the cat/cat owner. You are just victim blaming here. A pet owner is responsible for their pets, nobody else.There's no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

Legally speaking, you're wrong - A dog owner is responsible for their pet, but a cat owner isn't - cats are classed as wild animals, ie. they cannot be contained and controlled, like dogs.
You have to keep your windows closed or at least closed enough to keep cats out - get a restrictor?


BTW, OP, I love the name - I'm obsessed with that show.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Legally speaking, you're wrong - A dog owner is responsible for their pet, but a cat owner isn't - cats are classed as wild animals, ie. they cannot be contained and controlled, like dogs.
You have to keep your windows closed or at least closed enough to keep cats out - get a restrictor?


BTW, OP, I love the name - I'm obsessed with that show.

Well that's untrue. They are classed as vermin. You know, pests!

TCM

....... wrote:

Can the mods step in on this thread please as people are advocating cruelty to animals.

Give yourself a rest.

Cherry Blossom

Gravelly wrote: »

Catch the cat, smear it liberally in axle grease, and then release it so it completely destroys your neighbours house when it goes home.
Revenge sorted.

PS: For those worried about animal cruelty, ensure you use a cruelty-free brand of axle grease.

Permabanned

And let's have no more talk of throwing basins of water on cats or anything remotely like animal cruelty which as the charter says will be dealt with harshly.

gozunda

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Well that's untrue. They are classed as vermin. You know, pests!

Incorrect. Domestic cats are not classed as "vermin"

Link or forfeit...

demanufactured

Bjorn Breezy Mussel wrote: »

Wow, just wow...

The problem is 100% with the cat/cat owner. You are just victim blaming here. A pet owner is responsible for their pets, nobody else.There's no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

Nope.
Close your windows.

Hoboo

rodders999 wrote: »

I would throw a basin of water (or a lot worse) on anyone or anything that enters my property and poses a danger to my children.

No you wouldn't, you'd only do it on something thats defenceless and no threat to you. You'd s**t yourself and lock the door, like a typical bully.

artvanderlay

How about not leaving your windows open wide? Leave them open if you want but keep the gap small so that a cat couldn't fit through. All you want is a bit of air coming in.


Anyone here who is advocating cruelty to animals is a piece of ****, and probably has psychological issues.

gctest50

you need an oscillot

DBB

Folks, would you rein in the calling other posters "pieces of sh!t", or "bullies". Mods have already dealt with the carry-on you're complaining about, yet here you are going to incite another row. Give it a rest. If you've a problem with a post report it... However in this case, the problem posts have already been actioned.
All users if this forum are expected to post with respect. You can disagree with people, but you can't abuse them.
Thanks,
DBB

sonofenoch

Bjorn Breezy Mussel wrote: »

Wow, just wow...

The problem is 100% with the cat/cat owner. You are just victim blaming here. A pet owner is responsible for their pets, nobody else.There's no ifs, buts or maybes about it.

If a cat damaged your property, and you are absolutely certain it was the neighbors cat, then approach the neighbor and ask them to put things right.

Cats unlike dogs are viewed as wild animals even domesticated cats.......it's a wild animal there's no come back on anyone

artvanderlay

Apologies!

conorhal

My Neighbours cats spent a couple of months crapping on my balcony .....daily. God the stench!
Having spoken to the neighbours about it, the crapping stopped for a while and then they got lazy about not letting the cats out onto their balcony at the back so it started up again.

These I found very effective in stopping them: https://www.electric-fence.co.uk/2x-voss-sonic-2000-ultrasonic-animal-repeller-cat-dog-scarer-badger-fox-rabbit-deterrent.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIurfvjs-c3gIVbrHtCh2_BgLUEAQYByABEgKzD_D_BwE

It's an ultrasonic cat deterrent, place a couple at the point it tends to enter your garden and perhaps wired to the wall under the window and that should deter it from coming near you.

ESMITH29

OP has every right to leave his window open if he pleases, it's his property. You can't compare a burglar to a cat either, it's acceptable to leave windows open, especially if you have a decent alarm.

You can't stop this from happening unless you expect the owner to lock the cat up in their own house, which isn't really fair.

I know my own cat despises the smell of anything sour or anything pungent really. Might be worth lacing the windowsill with something that won't be overpowering for you, but will be for the cat.

witchgirl26

I would never advocate hurting an animal but I do think it's a bit much saying tough luck to the OP for the fact that someone else's pet came into their home and was on their bed and knocked over things. I had it in my old house where the windows were hardly open and I went up to the bedroom to find next doors cat sat in the middle of the room. Gave me the fright of my life. I did have words with them politely about it all (had to get their help to coax the cat out) and said I didn't like cats and while I'd get over them being in the back garden sometimes, I really didn't like the fact that this had now become coming into the house.

I hate this notion that just because cats roam and that's what they do, everyone else in an estate is just meant to put up with it. You chose to have a cat, I did not. And neither did the OP.

OP could you have a quick word with the neighbour who's cat you think it is and let them know what happened and ask if the cat is ok (as you said yourself it seemed scared) but also say that you're not too happy about it coming in.

AvonEnniskerry

If it were me I'd be thanking the cat for showing you how easy it could be for a burglar to access. If all that didn't set off an alarm then that is cause for alarm. I'm surprised the cat was alarmed as his access point hadn't been closed. But honestly leaving a window open invalidates your insurance if you're broken into and no you can't deter unwanted guests from entering if you're not home. Could have been a stray, could have been a bird. I would suggest leaving your windows on the latch if you want to air the house and prevent bigger creatures from entering.

sonofenoch

The best deterrent to keep away cats is to get a cat, oddly enough......a neutered female cat will run other cats from it's territory


(or a dog but much more time consuming particularly if you're not much of pet person)

harr

Our neighbors cats are mostly outdoor cats they bring them in in the evening for a while but the cats seem to enjoy being outside chasing birds and mice.
We had a rodent problem till the neighbors got the cats not a mouse to be seen the last couple of years.
Next doors cats will pay us a visit on occasion if we leave window open but it’s never a major issue and just carry them back outside.
I wouldn’t dream of leaving any window open when we are in the house and I live fairly rural not even top window.
Neighbors few doors down had a bedroom turned over while they were watching tv downstairs ...cameras, jewelry and a laptop all taken in the space of a few minutes..plenty of boys on the lookout for open windows

.......

witchgirl26 wrote: »

I would never advocate hurting an animal but I do think it's a bit much saying tough luck to the OP for the fact that someone else's pet came into their home and was on their bed and knocked over things.

I understand what you are saying, but realistically, what can be done?

Cats are not like dogs. They are closer to wild animals than other domesticated pets. They roam about, climb, go in through open windows. If the cat is used to access to the outdoors it would be cruel to suddenly start keeping it in.

So Im not sure what you would expect to be done?

The cat has actually exposed a fairly serious laxity of security for the OP. If I were the OP Id be keeping the windows closed unless I was in the room with the open window.

TheIrishGrover

lolo62 wrote: »

That's a tricky one because outdoor cats are only semi domestic. The owner can't control what they do when they're outside. It depends on the personality of your neighbour really. If it was me and next door came in and told me that had happened, I would replace the mirror and give a bottle of wine to say sorry.

If the cats done it once now though it will more than likely do it again. Your options would be to ask the neighbour to keep the cat in...(then you're the big meany next door!) or just keep the windows closed when you're not there....or only open slightly so the cat can't get in.

^^^^^^^

This. As a cat owner this happened to me. My cat ended up in my neighbour's house and couldn't get out (Different house layout). It knocked over a lamp which I replaced and also the auld bottle of wine. However I didn't exactly go to them on bended knee begging forgiveness. This is what animals do: Cats, dogs, birds.

It was a wakeup call to them regarding leaving windows wide open (If a cat can get through a burgler can open wider).

I have also had a cat come into my house while I was at home with windows open. That's just what they do.

Stratvs

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

I have also had a cat come into my house while I was at home with windows open. That's just what they do.

Has happened to us, although mainly the problems were other cats coming in the flap for a free snack at our cats bowls. Solution eventually was a microchip flap which has been great. Problem solved.

Pkiernan

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

^^^^^^^

This. As a cat owner this happened to me. My cat ended up in my neighbour's house and couldn't get out (Different house layout). It knocked over a lamp which I replaced and also the auld bottle of wine. However I didn't exactly go to them on bended knee begging forgiveness. This is what animals do: Cats, dogs, birds.

It was a wakeup call to them regarding leaving windows wide open (If a cat can get through a burgler can open wider).

I have also had a cat come into my house while I was at home with windows open. That's just what they do.

What a selfish attitude.
Unreal.

.......

Pkiernan wrote: »

What a selfish attitude.
Unreal.

Is there something wrong with you?

What do you expect the person to do? They replaced the broken item and gave a bottle of wine for the inconvenience.

How is that selfish?

Are you having a problem comprehending that cats climb and roam? I dont know how to explain it any more plainly to you. Cats are not like dogs, they wander about. It would be cruel to suddenly deny an outdoor cat access to the outside. What bit are you having problems understanding?

DBB

Folks,
There is a requirement on this forum that people address one another with some degree of respect. You don't have to agree with each other, but you do have to be a little bit nice when you disagree.
Thanks,
DBB

.......

....... wrote: »

The cat has actually exposed a fairly serious laxity of security for the OP. If I were the OP Id be keeping the windows closed unless I was in the room with the open window.

It has exposed no such thing. A cat getting in does not in anyway equal a burglar getting in for a vast number of reasons.

Flys get in regularly in my bedroom when it’s open all day while I’m at work, this means flys can get in nothing more.

I would personally refuse to stop leaving my window open all day which I’ve done everyday for many many years just because a cat got in. I do agree there is little you can do from the point of view of stopping the cat roaming though so I’d look at options like keeping the window open enough that a cat cat fit, a fly screen or similar, leaving something like a window box or something else that would prevent the cat from jumping onto the sill or stop it being able to maintain is balance there or stand there thus it can’t get inside.

.......

Ainsley Kind Speedy wrote: »

It has exposed no such thing. A cat getting in does not in anyway equal a burglar getting in for a vast number of reasons.

Flys get in regularly in my bedroom when it’s open all day while I’m at work, this means flys can get in nothing more.

Nox, you cannot be this obtuse.

A fly is not a cat.

A cat can weigh anything from 5-10kg (and more). If a cat can get in an open window then its a big enough opening for a nefarious type to get their arm in through and open the window further from the inside.

Even a gap the size of a letterbox is enough for someone to stick something through and try to catch on a lock or a latch. In fact a number of robberies in my area have happened from thieves using letterbox access in the front door.

If you genuinely think that someone determined could not get into a property through a window left open wide enough for a cat to get in through then you are sadly mistaken.

Most upstairs windows when left open are not locked into position even, so can simply be pulled open to the max from the outside once left open at all.

Stratvs

....... wrote: »

Nox, you cannot be this obtuse.

A fly is not a cat.

A cat can weigh anything from 5-10kg (and more). If a cat can get in an open window then its a big enough opening for a nefarious type to get their arm in through and open the window further from the inside.

Even a gap the size of a letterbox is enough for someone to stick something through and try to catch on a lock or a latch. In fact a number of robberies in my area have happened from thieves using letterbox access in the front door.

If you genuinely think that someone determined could not get into a property through a window left open wide enough for a cat to get in through then you are sadly mistaken.

Most upstairs windows when left open are not locked into position even, so can simply be pulled open to the max from the outside once left open at all.

By way of illustration( albeit in reverse) as all bar one of ours are indoors with outdoor permissions limited to walking on harnesses, we are conscious of not leaving windows open except on minimum latch opening even when in the house. But as happens one window (large PVC side upstairs) barely an inch open and not on the latch was pushed open by a 5kg piece of fluff who then spent an hour happily wandering the roof.

Graces7

Security is on the house owner be it from people or critters.

When I moved here, with my own neutered cats, I learned the pungent way that there was one stray tom left from previous people.

This is a very sparsely populated island and security is not a problem so when I was out once I left the windows open.

Came in to find "stinkertom" had reclaimed his old territory. The place reeked, bedding, curtains..

After that the windows stayed closed, even in the summer heat. I still smell him in the ruined outbuildings.

My home; my responsibility. My fault if that goes wrong.