An inside/outside cat has moved into my building with new people

siggav

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I live in a house with a bunch of flats and one of the two ground floor flats has just had new people move in.

They have a huge ginger tomcat (neutered though I think) called Squeak. I took Nikita outside on a leash like I always do and we ran into him outside.

Nikita poofed out immediately and there was much hissing and growling, her ears were completely flat and she was clearly freaked out although she ended up making him slink away. He didn't go far though, just retreated to a tree to observe us from a distance.

He's huge though, around a third bigger than Nikita and she's 12 pounds and not a small cat.

His owner came out and we chatted a bit and learnt his name. She clearly thought I was nuts for having Nikita on a leash rather than just let her outside but fortunately she was nice about it and I think we'll get along just fine as neighbours.

I'll grab pictures of Squeak later on. He's very handsome, not long haired but more fluffy than some short haired cats.

..but yeah, I think I'm going to add the feline leukemia vaccination for Nikita. As a mostly indoor cat that didn't run into other cats I haven't put her through that one but I can't stop taking her out and although they didn't fight out right but went through the cat staring and growling and hissing type of war and I think Squeak is healthy i don't want to take a chance.
 

buiza

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His owner came out and we chatted a bit and learnt his name. She clearly thought I was nuts for having Nikita on a leash rather than just let her outside but fortunately she was nice about it and I think we'll get along just fine as neighbours.

When I read the words inside/outside I have to admit I cringed and then I saw the word leash and I knew for sure that you love your cat and that it is taken care of.
I do agree with you about the vaccine because you just never know when something could happen. Rainbow has never been outside in her life except to the vet. but I still get her the whole series of shots.
 

yayi

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Originally Posted by Siggav

Nikita poofed out immediately and there was much hissing and growling, her ears were completely flat and she was clearly freaked out although she ended up making him slink away. He didn't go far though, just retreated to a tree to observe us from a distance.
Tough girl your Nikita. Sure put Squeak in his place.
 
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siggav

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I went out with her again today and this time around Squeak was just sitting in an open window not caring about Nikita at all. While she worked herself up into a frenzy growling and poofing out.

He was almost asleep in the ground floor open window while Nikita was getting more and more worked up. I ended up cutting the trip outside short and put her back into the cat carrier and took her inside.

Don't really know what to do if it continues like that. She loves going outside but she's just really worked up about that cat now (understandably, it's been her territory for a while now)
 

amarna

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aww she'll gradually get used to him. maybe try the sock trick?? put a sock on your hand, have a good stroke of the newbie & then go in & let madam have a good sniff. let her get gradually accustomed to him in her comfort zone, rather than a sudden confrontation. then perhaps next time your out with her & he's there, give them both a little treat so they associate eachothers presence as a good thing (ask your neighbour if it'll be ok first, their cat sounds quite large already!). then perhaps you could have a little play with your lady while he watches - make sure you use a toy that she can have a good 'kill' of so that she gets a little confidence boost. you could also use a favourite toy to distract he when she hisses/spits - then she'll perhaps start to be in a more positive mindset when he's about. have fun!!
 

zane's pal

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My Zane is a totally indoor cat, but there are several indoor/outdoor cats in the neighborhood, several of whom are quite friendly. When I come in from a walk and have had confabulations with one or more of them, Zane makes a jealous exhibition of himself.
 

sarahp

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That's sad that you as a responsible owner have to stop doing what you've always done
I hope you can resolve it.

Maybe speak to them, explan the situation, and ask if they can try to keep him in for an hour at the time you guys normally go for a walk?
 
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siggav

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Originally Posted by sarahp

That's sad that you as a responsible owner have to stop doing what you've always done
I hope you can resolve it.

Maybe speak to them, explan the situation, and ask if they can try to keep him in for an hour at the time you guys normally go for a walk?
Yep, however just seeing the cat in the window is enough to set her off and I think it's a bit too much to ask the owner to lock their cat in a room that doesn't have a window facing the garden. Also since Squeak is an indoor/outdoor cat they can't guarantee that he'll be inside when I take Nikita out.

She actually got a slight infected sore spot around one of her lower nipples and I took her to the vet yesterday. They said it was possible it was from stress because of the new cat in he garden but most likely she'd walked over a nettle (there are a few in the garden) poor girl. It's healing up nicely now though, very quickly.

She was really hostile to the cats in the waiting room at the vets though. More so than before. She was growling and swearing enough to make the other cat owners there be a bit: What's that wild animal you've got?

Heh.. very clear that I will not even consider add a cat to my household.

Here's a quick somewhat blurry video clip of her being rather upset at the cat (he was inside, just in his window then)
 

amarna

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just watched the video - she seemed more worried than aggressive which is reassuring. also watched nikita & da bird - COMICAL!!!!!!!!
she is beautiful.
 

zane's pal

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My Zane tries to do that with Da Boid, but he's too fat to jump up very high; he more bounces on his hind legs like a tiny kangaroo.
 
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siggav

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Yep, i called it "Unhappy Nikita" rather than "Angry Nikita" because she was more freaked out and upset rather than aggressive there, I know the difference.

The day before when she ran into Squeak her noises were different, more hostile and growly. She was scared then as well though. We'd been lucky and not run into any cats at all outside at all really. She'd met one black cat around a year before but before that it was just her mum and siblings.

Anyway I'm hoping she'll relax and get over it so that we can continue having fun outside. The vet told me as well to keep trying, but of course watch her as well and if trying to get her used to a world that has other cats in it is stressing her out too much I'll have to keep her in. Fortunately Squeak seems very chilled out and relaxed and doesn't get super aggressive back at her.
 
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