Neighbors Cat and our car

Graces7 wrote: »

I merely suggested ways forward as the OP seemed very....distressed indeed and out of all proportion. IF the cat is allergic etc to the car wash used then the water wash will show that and he can change brand
End of problem

Cats are not malicious . There is always a real reason for their behaviour. This is recent behaviour so something about the car has set this off. A reaction to a chemical fits that possibility,

My suggestions?

Talk to the cat owner. Inform them of the issue. Relay that damage will need to be covered by them. That is caring for their property. They are being proactive. But they should not have to pay extra to cover their car, or use other car wash products just to facilitate a cat wanting to use their car as a resting place.

Other suggestions?
Spray the cat with water each time it's seen on the car. Or scare it away using voice/movement.

Graces7 wrote: »

The real issue is the owner's reaction and yes he does have a responsibility to care for his property. So you snigger at every suggestion? But none of your own?

What is so terrible about covering the car! An easy enough task.

The real issue is car damage! Not the owner's suggestion. If my cat or dog took a dump on your doorstep every day, or if they wrecked your flowers / garden, the issue wouldn't be your reaction. It would be the animal's behaviour.

Your example seems eerily close to an animal version of victim blaming. The car owner is entitled to park their car safely. That is not a 'fault'.

On the one hand I would be irritated to see a cat jumping all over my car, on the other it would have to be a mighty big cat to dent or scratch a car. Realistically the only way the neighbours could stop the cat jumping on the car would be either to keep it in on a permanent basis, or get rid of it. It would probably be easier and less socially difficult to stop the cat from going on the car. The water pistol idea would be the easiest, a few squirts would convince it not to go on the car.

Presumably the neighbours have a car, but the cat doesn't jump on it, or on other neighbours cars, so what is the attraction? It sounds as though rather than trampolining it is jumping on insects - is there a street light reflecting off the car roof that attracts insects? Do you have an outside light that attracts insects that are then landing on the car? As the weather gets cooler the insects will be fewer and the cat will lose interest.

Either way it seems unlikely to do damage - they scratch when there is purchase, like on timber, otherwise a cat would not have its claws out jumping onto a metal surface, and even if it did it would be unlikely to do damage. Have the hose or a waterpistol handy and give it a good soak, discourage it without creating an incident!

looksee wrote: »

...

Either way it seems unlikely to do damage - they scratch when there is purchase, like on timber, otherwise a cat would not have its claws out jumping onto a metal surface, and even if it did it would be unlikely to do damage. Have the hose or a waterpistol handy and give it a good soak, discourage it without creating an incident!

Unfortunately that isn't quite right. A cat that is slipping off a shiny surface will automatically extend its claws to try and gain purchase. It will do the same when it jumps up onto a wing and doesn't quite make it in one.

The claws themselves do damage the finish but that only polish however its not unusual for grit to get lodged into the end of a cats claws (after its climbed a blockwork wall for example) and then you can get some scratching.

Considering that you can damage the paintwork with a sponge I can only see a cat doing damage especially if startled

HerrKuehn wrote: »

Seems like you are getting a lot of sympathy from the cat owners here. The thing with cats is that sometimes they come back injured, its really sad when it happens. Of course nobody knows what happens them as they get up to all sorts when they are out roaming around.

.

s1ippy wrote: »

It's so unfair, I park my car at the bottom of a ravine and rocks keep falling on it. Before anyone says anything please, I have a right to park my car safely. Don't victim blame me.

If these are somebody elses rocks falling on to your car, parked on your land I'd suggest you talk to the owner of the rocks and tell them they will need to pay for the damage.

s1ippy wrote: »

It's so unfair, I park my car at the bottom of a ravine and rocks keep falling on it. Before anyone says anything please, I have a right to park my car safely. Don't victim blame me.

People are genuinely so strange when it comes to cats: like if someone's dog or child went on someone else's property and damaged or destroyed some property, there would be no question as to who was at fault.

Whereas when it comes to cats, a person's irresponsible ownership of their pet is somehow regarded as some sort immutable act of God, rather than a situation that could easily be predicted, and almost as easily rectified.

@OP, Is there a security sensor movement flood light that could be put in place, might scare the cat off.

Could it be local kids that are causing the scratches instead.

There is also an option of CAT- Off sprays that can be bought in Woodies or B & Q.

Maybe spray this on your car where the cat is causing the damage.

I would also set up a CCTV camera is possible to prove that is is the neighbours cat that is causing the scratches.

I had something similar a few years back where I was noticing scratches on my boot lid paint work, not deep but still visible.

I bought T-Cut in Halfords and was able to buff out the scratches, not perfect but cheaper than a re-spray .

vicwatson wrote: »

Don’t you live on an island?

Literally, metaphorically and figuratively...

endacl wrote: »

Literally, metaphorically and figuratively...

No, literally

OP thinks the cat put dings on the car, any pics?

Graces7 wrote: »

I merely suggested ways forward as the OP seemed very....distressed indeed and out of all proportion. IF the cat is allergic etc to the car wash used then the water wash will show that and he can change brand
End of problem

Cats are not malicious . There is always a real reason for their behaviour. This is recent behaviour so something about the car has set this off. A reaction to a chemical fits that possibility,

The real issue is the owner's reaction and yes he does have a responsibility to care for his property. So you snigger at every suggestion? But none of your own?

What is so terrible about covering the car! An easy enough task.

Indeed, really the OP should disassemble their car every evening and bring it inside if they are going to be so precious about it.


Anyway, back to the real world, OP you can get some sprays that keep cats away.
Is the car in your driveway or on the road (makes no difference to your problem, but just might give you more options if its in your driveway)

s1ippy wrote: »

You can't own rocks any more than you can compel a cat to do something.

Other posters have suggested measures to be taken such as:

Lock up the cat - cruel and unwarranted
Use deterrents (light, spray bottle, citrus smell, cover car, grease) - clever and not victim blaming, just looking out for personal property
Tell neighbours - the most obvious step, will likely result in them acting to prevent the activity themselves

I would agree that pictures of the damage may be important here. If there are visible scratches and if the OP can get video evidence that the cat caused them, assuming the cat's owners are decent people, they will probably fork out for the damage caused.

It's not unwarranted to keep your cat indoors overnight. It's better for the cat and better for wildlife.