Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/11/2009

Question
I have a 5 yr old steralised male and we just moved into a new house. I keep him inside at night when I can, but he prefers to  go outside rather than use the litter box. Most of the time another cat will attack him, but it's a lot more vicious than any other cat I've seen. It will come to our door during the night and try to attack him throught that and it will wait for him outside. I know the people who lived here previously owned a cat and that they didn't move too far away, so this could be theirs. Is there anything I can other than locking him inside all night and short of getting the ranger involved?

Answer
Charlie,

If you think that is their cat, you may want to talk to them about trying to keep the cat in at night. I also would keep your cat in at night and force him to use the litter box. It is safer for him anyway. At night is the most dangerous time to let a cat outside.

You can try to keep a hose handy to squirt the cat when it comes around, but if he was around previously he may just be trying to defend 'his' territory from your cat. He will eventually learn that your cat is here to stay and start leaving him alone, but it may take quite some time. If you can afford it, and that cat isn't fixed, I would try to catch him to do it. That may help also. You may also try feeding the cat. Sounds strange, but a can't isn't as willing to fight on a full stomach.

Here is an article to read about bullying cats:
(copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/bullying.html

I'm not sure what type of Ranger you have (in California we only have Park Rangers)but you may have to go that route as a last resort. I would try to find the owners of the cat though first.

Tabbi