How do I stop a bully neighbourhood cat from assaulting my 3 month old kitten who has to stay outdoors?

Question

I have an adorable 3 month old kitten, she stays in the garden and i lock her up at night, theres this huge male cat that comes while she is eating usually and yesterday he hurt her, bad! she's bleeding and emaciated and I had to go to the doctor. How can I stop the bully from coming near her, i can't keep my kitten locked or indoors all the time (my mom freaks out if she's indoors) Any bright Idea's.

Answer 1

Sweetie, We need to educate your mother. Outdoor cats usually only live a few years vs. 15-20 if they are indoors and well cared for. You've seen with your own eyes, the danger a cat can experience. A three month old kitten is just a baby!

Male cats want to *kill* kittens, so they can breed with the mother cat again. Then imagine what a dog might do to her.

PLEASE beg your mother to bring this baby indoors where she will be safe.

If your mother won't hear of this, PLEASE find a loving, good home for your kitten where she will be safe.

Good luck.

Answer 2

How funny - I'm in the exact same position! I have an older, neutered male age 18 months and a 12 week old kitten! We've had the kitten about three weeks and for the first week there was spitting, hissing and growling. The little one barged the big one out of the way and yes, he just stood there. However, the cats are now play fighting, tussling and eating from the same bowl. they sleep *near* each other (not quite at the same basket stage though). I've had cats all my life and know that they establish a heirachy. I think your older cat won't push the smaller one out of the way for the simple fact he is a kitten and cats aren't generally 'mean'. In time they'll decide who is boss and settle down together. They may not ever be best buddies but they will tollerate without any hissing. I have 5 cats now (I'm turning into one of those mad old cat ladies) ranging from 14 years old down to 'Ron' the kitten and they all put up with one another, use their own bowls and there is rarely a fight.

Answer 3

In my experience turning the hose on a stray cat is the best way to keep it off your property. You just need to get the cat once, the next time you pick up the hose, the cat will split. It has never failed for me.

Your mother needs to understand that your kitten is not safe in the garden. Soon it will be over the fence and out god knows where. Surely the expensive vet bill on this first encounter with the bully should convince her the kitten MUST be inside at least till she is a year old and by that time she probably won't have much of an urge to go out anyway.

Is there anything we can do to convince your mother of this?

Answer 4

Hi there... because no one can supervise your kittens when she's outdoors it will be difficult to get the male cat to stay away. Squirting it only will be temporary as he will only learn these deterrent doesn't hurt him if the humans aren't holding the other end of the hose.

Cats who live a life outdoors are more susceptible to so many dangers: catching diseases from stray cats who sick and are not vaccinated; attacks by dogs who are roaming the neighbourhood; wild animals that prey on other animals who accidentally roam into the wild animals territory; hit by a moving car; taken by strangers who want a pet of their own or worse to torture it for their sick amusement; accidentally ingesting poisons lying around the ground, etc.

Please have a look at the website below. It includes multiple weblinks of why outdoor cats are susceptible to so many dangers. Perhaps if you print these out for your mother she will reconsider why an indoor cat is healthier, cleaner and will cost less to care for medically.

Answer 5

No cat should be allowed to roam outdoors. And a kitten is worse to be allowed outside.Its like putting a human baby outside!Unless you can keep your kitten confined outside I don't see any solution to keep this cat away and stop him from harming your cat.Before long this kitten will be in heat and all the tom cats will be in your yard. Then a unwanted litter.
You have no choice either keep this kitten in or soon it will be dead more then likely. This is no way to raise a kitten. its cruel and inhumane.If your mom won't agree to this. The rehome the kitten to a home that will provide a safe home.

Answer 6

I agree with AprilM.. if you cant keep her safe with you, then you need to find her a safe home. Its not right to keep such a small kitten confined to the outdoors, and assuming you live with your mother and she freaks out when the cats inside- whats the point? You cant tell me/us that you spend all your time outside with this now wounded baby. The brightest idea I have and that you can do is find the kitten a proper home.

Answer 7

Is there a room in the house that can be exclusively hers so your mom won't freak out? You can keep food, water and litter in this room (hopefully with a window so she can view the outside). I am worried about this bigger cat.. and your kitten is way too young to be outside by herself. There are a lot of dangers 'outside' for any small animal, especially one that doesn't know how to defend herself yet. I'm the happy owner of an indoor cat, and it saves a lot of stress and heartache to not have to worry about her safety.

Answer 8

You probably don't want to hear this but I would suggest keeping your cat indoors (especially when she is young and cannot defend herself from a big tom cat). Maybe you could bring her outside to her favorite spot on a leash with you then the other cat will leave her alone.

Answer 9

I think you should give the kitten to someone who would keep it indoors. These outdoor cats are tuff. She might not be so lucky the next time. He is probably trying to mate with her. Poor kitty

Answer 10

if you can't keep the kitten indoors then you need to give her away to a caring individual who can keep her indoors!!! this is just one of the horrible things that happens when you adopt cats and then just toss them outside. it's very dangerous for cats to live outdoors especially a 3 month old!!!! she can't defend herself!! numerous things could happen to her and trust me something bad will happen to her since she's outside and is sooooo young!!! it's a proven fact that cats who live strictly indoors live longer healthier lives. you and your mom should have though about these things before you decided to adopt her!! you shouldn't have her if you can't provide her the love and security that she really needs!!! if she lives her life outside at your home than she will not live to be over 5 years old!! sorry but it's the plain truth!!!