How can I keep unwanted cats from napping on my convertible soft-top?

Question

I have a black Audi TT convertible with black soft top. Just paid a pretty penny to have it detailed completely. This morning, I went out to my carport ready to leave for work and there were little muddy footprints on the trunk and white fur on the roof! Oh, I suspect this same cat is the one who used my poolside tiki bar as a scratching post!!! What's good for keeping cats away? Suggestions?

FYI... for those that say "cover" my car, I just paid to have a carport built to do just that (bylaws prohibit enclosed garages). For those that say "get over it" or that feel it is my fault, why should my right to a vehicle of my choice be sacrificed for someone elses right to have a cat, then set the cat about the neighborhood? I actually like cats, so I don't want to resort to anti-freeze, but I am entitled to want to keep my car in good, clean shape.

I was hoping for deterent solutions so I thank those that seriously offer some (although dogs are not an option... I travel too much to be responsible for a pet). I have heard of sprays, plants, and the like that cats do not like so details along that direction is what I am looking for.

Thank you, Sarah B.! You were the only one to specifically identify a product to assist in my problem. I'll try some of this and see if it works! Kudos, and 10 points to you!

Answer 1

This is a link for Shake-away

I've never actually tried this one, but I have used other things like it. You may be able to go to a lawn and garden center and ask them too. Just create a perimiter around the carport, and it should create a barrier.

Answer 2

I apoligize for all people who love cats and take care of them. It is not right to have a cat that "annoys" neighbors with its behavior. My cats are confined to my property with cat fence-in so that they cannot do this to my neighbors. I feel strongly that cats should have shelter in a home after dark too which is probably when your cat is making his visitations.

You can get a $10 package of "Sticky Paws" double-sided tape to put on the legs of your tiki bar. A cat rescuer friend who has many cats living around the outside of her condominium has cat beds on top of her truck which always amuses me when I go there to take the cat food I buy for her. She has two on top of her truck I think. She also has built cozy little "houses" for them on her patio and I guess some of them still like the beds on top of the truck. That keeps them off her neighbors cars. A bed would run you about $20 at a pet store. That might not eliminate the footprint problem for you though.

There is no reason you should have to go to that expense and it might help a little. If you could develop a little empathy for the cat who is left outside in the cold and wet night without proper shelter it will benefit your soul. Like a neglected or abused child he is forced to find shelter and warmth where he can.

People walk by my house at night and let their dogs take a dump in the front of my house which they don't pick up and dispose of properly. It annoys me because I clean five litterboxes in my house daily and pick up cat poop from my garden in the back. So you are not the only one who is "put upon" by other animal owners.

Answer 3

I guess I'd try to trap it and take it to the Humane Society. You might be able to rent a "live" trap to do that. Then if someone was really missing a cat they'd have an opportunity to bail it out and maybe keep it inside.

Cars are just irresistible for cats. Part of the territory they need to prowl.

Try rubbing some orange peel on your tiki bar. Cats hate it.

Answer 4

You can't keep the cats off, but you can get a cover, either for the entire car or just the cab, which will control the patter of little muddy feet. My theory on dirt on cars mimics what the mayor of Bridgeport once said about snow: "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." Although that is a bit of an exaggeration; I did wash my car after driving it in the Arabian desert.

Answer 5

Build two wooden 24"X24" square frames out of 2X4 lumber. Cover each on one side with steel or copper screen. Suspend one frame about a foot over your vehicle top screen side down. Place the other frame screen side up on the top of your vehicle under the suspended one. Take an extension cord and remove the female end. separate the internal wires so you have about 2 feet of wire to play with. Strip about an inch from the ends of the wire. Attach one wire to the upper screen and one to the lower screen. Plug in the extension cord, hide and watch the fun. When the cat goes between the two frames and it's tail brushes the top screen the circuit will be completed and shock the cat. "God I love the smell of scorched hair in the morning". You may want to put a spread out garbage bag underneath the frame on your car in case the cat gets an immediate case of uncontrollable diarrhea.

Answer 6

unless you have a garage that you can keep cats out of, it will be next to impossible to stop them from enjoying the warmth of a black top. (I have a van and they lay on that too)
there are sprays that you can buy which wont harm the fabic and cats find offensive but you have to apply every few days.
contact your local animal control and see if your city has a cat bylaw, if so you can probably trap the offender and take it to the SPCA or city pound (doing anything else to it is cruel and often illegal)
remember it is not the cats fault, it is the fault of his or her owner to let her roam


the BEST solution I have is to buy a small dog and keep it on top of your car.

Answer 7

Move your car! Try not being so shallow and think of it from a cats point of view. He doesn't realize your car has been detailed, and certainly doesn't act vindictively.

Answer 8

Put a dish of antifreeze out there by it. Just keep your cats and other animals away from it.

Answer 9

You cannot!
It is your fault you have a comfortable convertible!
lol

Answer 10

Maybe cover your converitble???