Stray cats driving my indoor cats crazy!?

Question

We have two indoor cats - 6 years old.
At night (after we fall asleep of course) our cats will start screaming and attacking each other. Last night when it woke me up, I ran out to the kitchen and there was a cat outside looking in. My two had their fur standing up on end, tails puffed out, and they were growling at each other. They will actually start fighting each other and we will have to break it up. This is the second spring in a row that this has happened, so I know that it has something to do with spring - any other time of the year they do not do this. And I need to point out that ordinarily my cats do not ever fight each other. They are best friends that sleep together and play together (litter mates).
So my question is...to prevent my cats from killing each other in the spring, what should I do? I've read about spraying citrus outside to keep the strays away - does this work?? Please help.

Sorry! I should have added...my cats are male and female, both were fixed as kittens.

Answer 1

Are your cats both the same sex? If so, they could be fighting over what they see as a potential mate

Answer 2

Might it be as simple as closing the window/curtains/blinds? Or removing whatever the strays are standing on to see in your window?

I have a similar issue with a cat I'm calling The Boyfriend sitting on our porch railing looking in. There have been others before him; the last one tore holes in our screen.

I'm going to have to find something to keep him off the railing. As cute as I think it is that he comes to visit, the girls don't really appreciate it. I might try two sided tape, or ....? I haven't put much thought into it yet.

I don't know that I'd use anything close to your window because it might affect your furbabies inside. If there is anything you decide to spray I'd do it at the ground level if possible.

Answer 3

i would do like the one person says.try to cover the window ect to keep the cats from seeing out and the stay seeing in.next go to petsmart.com then go to cats then to repellent and look for this stuff called boundary.Product Description
Helps keep pets and strays away from shrubbery, furniture, and garbage cans, and other areas you wish pets to stay away from. Product repels for up to 24 hours when applied daily. Manufacturer suggests testing a small area prior to liberally spraying over rugs, fabrics, etc. as this product may stain or soften some fabrics or plastics. If your cats are indoor cats then i think this will work perfect.spay it were they stay is at.hope this helps in keeping them away.but try covering the windows/door frist.

Answer 4

The Canine & Feline Behaviour Centre

Answer 5

If your cats aren't fixed I suggest that be the first thing you do, as
far as keeping the strays away I don't know of any reliable way to do that, short of putting out humane traps and "deporting" them.

Answer 6

What you must do,,my friend,,is go out and purchase 'live traps'. WHen you have captured the cat,,take it to the nearest humane society. Tell them it's a stray and they shouldn't charge you. You could notify your city officials,,,but you probably won't get much done for quite a while,,,until you nag them until your 'hoarse'. When you have a serious job to do,,,you might as well,,do it yourself, to get favorable results!!
Good luck!

Answer 7

one of my cats did that too when there was a stray sitting on the car roof top and i think its just a territorial thing cuz only my cat was hissing and not the other cat but idk. but if theyre getting in physical fights i would ask a vet and make sure that your cat has all of its shots so it doesnt catch anything. good luck!

Answer 8

put moth balls outside where the cats are hanging out they hate the smell and should move on about their business somewhere else.

Answer 9

give the cat some cat nip to mellow it out.

Valium might help too