Neighbor Outdoor Cats... Prevention

Hi all

I discovered one of my neighbors in my garden complex allows her cats to roam outside. I see 3 cats.

Its in a garden complex, and I can't put any preventative measures to keep these cats away from my doors and windows.. no sprinklers or sound systems. (it also worries me since we're right next to train tracks and on a busy street)

I may be jumping ahead and these cats may not cause issues, but since I am on the first floor, I don't want my cats to get stressed if they see the neighbor cats roaming about. Any suggestions on how I can keep these cats at bay? If they start to cause issues, I will talk to the neighbor, but I'd rather not get to that point. You know what they say.. one ounce of prevention...

Do you have anything near your doors/windows that would make those areas an attractive spot for them to hang out around? My friend has a feral colony in her neighborhood. She told me that the people who often have cats hanging around their areas are the ones putting out food for their indoor/outdoor kitty or something like a pond/bird feeder near their windows/doors. Removing those attractive features helps a lot. The less entertaining those areas seem, the more likely the cat will hang out somewhere else more interesting. I think there are many waterless and noiseless devices on the market that are tiny enough that you can hide them near a plant if the cats happen to decided to hang around your area. Like the motion activated compressed air sensors. Someone also once recommended the noise ones that are only heard by cats and not humans. Similar to a dog whistle. Sometimes simply shooing the cat away a few times is enough too. My parents had a cat several houses down that was bothering their cat right in front of their home. My dad simply used a spray bottle twice and the cat was never seen near their house again.

Nothing that I can see that attracts them. No feeders or anything.

Someone mentioned a plant that deters cats- anyone know what this is?

I was watching the cats outside. The owner was outside with them- if they wandered too far, the owner would guide them back to her porch. Maybe I am worrying too much.

Hopefully it won't become an issue.  Where I lived before was a townhouse with sliding glass doors and several free roaming kitties.  My kitties were more just curious and they got into this meet and greet thing every morning.  I remember there was one calico that was really friendly with the kitties but I got close to the door and she would hiss and back away.

If your neighbours pets are not neutered or spayed I would worry the most. Toms often spray in dry areas so if you water your yard and garden that often prevents that issue. Also if your pets are spayed/neutered there will not be as many issues. Most likely though your neighbours cats have been spayed/neutered as well and they won't cause issues.

Everything turn out OK?  Mine see cats outside and paw the glass, but that's it.  Thankfully no spraying or anything from anyone...knocking on wood!

I have no idea if my neighbor cats are spayed/neutered. She ignored me when I went outside, even if I said hello to get to know her.

Other neighbors tell me they aren't outside unless she's outside. So I'd like to assume she keeps them close by her door?

so far, so good. though it's still early, I've been here for 3 weeks!

Hopefully nothing will come of it.  This summer I've been dealing with Noodles over-grooming her belly and inner thigh.  The first guess was stress of course.  We had 2 new cats move in next door.  They've now come up my back steps and will sit there just checking my 2 out through the screen and glass.  Noodles shows no signs of this bothering her.  She just looks curious and if I pet her she will turn away from the cat and enjoy her pets.  We still don't know for sure what is triggering it; but the thing I'd suspect most doesn't seem to be affecting her.  (It started before they moved in btw.)  So maybe they won't get your two riled up.  Unless they have a history of it?

I'd wait & see how they react. Then, if they seem stressed, maybe just use a Feliway or Comfort Zone plug in diffuser.  Hopefully, they won't be bothered, sense the owner is outside w/ them, so hopefully they won't come too close. 

MoochNNoodles said:

Hopefully nothing will come of it.  This summer I've been dealing with Noodles ove-
grooming her belly and inner thigh.  The first guess was stress of course.  We had 2 new cats move in next door.  They've
now come up my back steps and will sit there just checking my 2 out through th
screen and glass.  Noodles shows no signs of this bothering her.  She just
looks curious and if I pet her she will turn away from the cat and enjoy her pets.  We still don't know for sure what is
triggering it; but the thing I'd suspect most doesn't seem to be affecting her..  (It started before they moved in btw.)  So maybe they won't get your two riled up.  Unless they have a history of it?

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Have you checked for fleas? I know they're house cats but please check.

have you checked forb fleas