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Dealing with a stray cat can pose challenges, especially when it ventures into your property. If the stray cat engages in conflict with your cat, it can escalate the situation. To safeguard your cat, your surroundings, and perhaps your peace of mind, it's essential to understand how to keep stray cats away from your premises.
Key Steps
Determining the Presence of Stray Cats in Your Premises
Check for any bird feeders in your yard. Stray cats are attracted to bird feeders, viewing them as a potential hunting ground. Multiple bird feeders may draw more than one stray cat, causing distress to your own cat.
Identify potential food sources. If you feed your cat outdoors, you might unintentionally attract stray cats to your yard. Stray cats may return for the food and even engage in conflicts with your cat over access to it, putting your cat at risk. Growing catnip in your yard could also attract stray cats.
Check your cat's reproductive status. An unspayed female cat can emit pheromones that attract intact male cats to your yard. If you have an unspayed female cat and notice male stray cats in your yard, consider scheduling her for spaying.
Observe the behavior of the stray cat. The stray cat might have a preferred area in your yard, such as a garden or under your house. Identifying these areas can help you develop strategies to keep the stray cat out. Alternatively, observe your own cat's behavior, as it may indicate the presence of a stray cat outside.
Preventing Encounters Between Stray Cats and Your Cat
Keep your cat indoors. If stray cats are drawn to your yard because of your cat's presence, it's safest to keep your cat indoors. Stray cats may carry diseases and keeping your cat indoors reduces the risk of illness. Provide indoor entertainment for your cat to keep him mentally stimulated.
Install a motion-activated sprinkler. To deter stray cats from your yard, set up a motion-activated sprinkler designed to scare off animals. Place it where the stray enters your yard, and after a few unexpected sprays, the cat will likely avoid your property. Remove the sprinkler if the cat stops coming around, but be ready to reinstall it if he returns.
Utilize an ultrasonic device. Outdoor ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that are irritating to stray cats but inaudible to humans. This can discourage the cat from entering your yard. If the sound bothers your own cat, consider alternative deterrents.
Use natural deterrents for your garden. Employ chicken wire, prickly pinecones, or citrus peels to make your garden less inviting to stray cats. You can also try sprinkling ground pepper or coffee grounds, planting cat-repellent plants, or making homemade repellents.
Secure the sandbox. Cover your sandbox with a durable material like tarp to prevent stray cats from using it as a litter box. Visit a home improvement store for suitable covering options.
Block access to under-house areas. Prevent stray cats from hiding under your porch or deck by installing chicken wire or latticework. These materials can be purchased at your local home improvement store.
Eliminate potential food sources in your yard. Stray cats are attracted to bird feeders and catnip. If you're reluctant to remove bird feeders, consider installing a fence to contain other animals while keeping the birds. Alternatively, removing the feeders is a simpler and cheaper solution.
Trap the stray cat. Approach the cat cautiously to assess if it's safe to handle. If possible, purchase a humane trap and place it in a shaded area of your yard. Seek guidance from animal control or a feline rescue group on trapping procedures. Do not attempt trapping if it's unsafe; contact authorities for assistance.
Check for identification. If you can approach the cat, look for a collar with owner information or a microchip. These can help identify and contact the owner.
Tips
- Stray cats, often intact males, appear unkempt and may have a 'pumpkin face' due to extra fat from high testosterone levels, aiding in fights.
- If unsuccessful, seek help from animal control or a feline rescue organization.
- Newly lost cats may not resemble long-term strays.
Warnings
- Exercise caution to avoid scratches or bites from stray cats, which may not be vaccinated.
- Stray cats, particularly if unvaccinated, can pose a serious risk to your cat by transmitting diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.
- Stray cats may also carry scabies, cat scratch fever, or even rabies.
- Abscesses may develop if your cat is scratched, requiring veterinary attention.
- If your cat is outdoors, a stray cat might become territorial, endangering your cat by chasing it away or exposing it to the risk of getting lost or injured by a car.
