Cat Issues!!!
- Thread starter mitch328
- Start date
superstring
New member
There are devices (don't know what they're called) that you attach to your garden hose and are controlled by a motion sensor. I've seen them at various hardware stores and I believe they're made for scaring deer who trespass in your garden. You leave the hose turned on and whenever an animal (human or otherwise 
) comes close, it gets a blast of H2O.
The upside is it doesn't hurt the animal, only scares it; the downside is you have to dry your car off. I should only take a couple of times for your neighbourhood cat to get the message (and, believe me, cats have long memories!)
) comes close, it gets a blast of H2O.The upside is it doesn't hurt the animal, only scares it; the downside is you have to dry your car off. I should only take a couple of times for your neighbourhood cat to get the message (and, believe me, cats have long memories!)
NickelPlated.45
New member
I've been through this and most of these ideas don't work! Garage the car or deal with the cats. Check you local laws on stray animals. I feel it is irresponsible and "cruel" for pet owners to let their pets roam the neighborhood freely. Even the humane society advises on keeping cats inside. Here are some reasons they list:
* Being hit by a car
* Ingesting a deadly poison like antifreeze or a pesticide
* Being trapped by an unhappy neighbor
* Being attacked by a roaming dog, cat, or wild animal
* Contracting a disease from another animal
* Becoming lost and unable to find her way home
* Being stolen
* Encountering an adult or child with cruel intentions
If you are serious then there are things you can do. Talk to the neighbors about keeping their cats indoors. If that doesn't work then threaten to take them to small claims court and sue for property damages. Trap the cats and call the local animal rescue. If the neighbors care about their pets maybe they will get the picture and keep them indoors. Sorry if i seem hostile but like i said before i've been through this. The best solution is a garage with a roll up door and opener. No more cats, no more neighborhood kids with baseballs/footballs, no more sprinklers, no more leaf blowers, no more morning dew, just peace of mind.
* Being hit by a car
* Ingesting a deadly poison like antifreeze or a pesticide
* Being trapped by an unhappy neighbor
* Being attacked by a roaming dog, cat, or wild animal
* Contracting a disease from another animal
* Becoming lost and unable to find her way home
* Being stolen
* Encountering an adult or child with cruel intentions
If you are serious then there are things you can do. Talk to the neighbors about keeping their cats indoors. If that doesn't work then threaten to take them to small claims court and sue for property damages. Trap the cats and call the local animal rescue. If the neighbors care about their pets maybe they will get the picture and keep them indoors. Sorry if i seem hostile but like i said before i've been through this. The best solution is a garage with a roll up door and opener. No more cats, no more neighborhood kids with baseballs/footballs, no more sprinklers, no more leaf blowers, no more morning dew, just peace of mind.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Yes, this can happen.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Unlike other animals, cats are not attracted to antifreeze. They are very careful about what they eat.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Doesn't seem likely.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Unless it's declawed (which is cruel) a cat can defend itself well.
NickelPlated.45 said:
What?
NickelPlated.45 said:
After they've lived there awhile, no way.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Only if you have a weirdo neighbor that steals cats because she doesn't believe in ever letting a cat outside. Ours moved away.
NickelPlated.45 said:
Could happen, but cats don't trust people as well as dogs do.
You wouldn't confine your kids inside all the time, why pets? Cats that are always confined indoors tend to develop weird behavioral problems. Also they don't keep the chipmunks & mice away.
Anyway the guy was looking for advice for keeping a stray off his car. I believe I would try the scat mat or foil, you don't have to be there when it jumps on the car. A garage is ideal but we don't all have adequate garage space.
NickelPlated.45
New member
Yeah those were from the humane society website.
Cats get hit by cars all the time.
Cats ingest antifreeze from cars that leak it in the driveway and on street. Even a few licks can kill a cat. Go ask a vet.
Cats get trapped by unhappy neighbors and rightfully so. I've done it myself.
I live in a residential area in San Jose close to mountains. We have mountain lions and coyotes that wonder down into neighborhoods (mainly because people leave food outside for stray pets). Last year my mom freaked out because a cat was found mauled on the sidewalk of her street. She started keeping her cats inside (for a little while anyways).
Yeah cats can contract diseases from other animals. They usually get scratched up "defending" themselves from other animals.
Yeah cats can get lost. I don't know why you would think otherwise.
I don't know why you are trying to debate these. They are legitimate reasons to keep a cat indoors. Please do not compare pets to kids because it's irrelevant. If you own a pet that's great. Be responsible about it. If your cat is doing damage to other peoples property then you need to deal with it. I've been through this and i know how frustrating it can be. Ever have a cat scratch the hell out of your hood, front fenders, trunk lid and rear fenders the day after spending 12 hours detailing? Paw prints i don't mind too much, but deep scratches in the clear coat i do. If you own/rent property, you should be able to park your car on your property without having to worry about bs like that. People who own dogs don't let them roam the streets, neither should people who own cats.
If it is a specific cat you can talk to your neighbor and try to work something out. You can find out what you legally do about the cat. You can move. Or you can spend time/money/frustration on foil, pepper, mats, gimmicky devices, spray bottles, animal repellent sprays, fly paper, car covers and whatever else. I've been through it and it sucks. It's all about the garage baby!
Cats get hit by cars all the time.
Cats ingest antifreeze from cars that leak it in the driveway and on street. Even a few licks can kill a cat. Go ask a vet.
Cats get trapped by unhappy neighbors and rightfully so. I've done it myself.
I live in a residential area in San Jose close to mountains. We have mountain lions and coyotes that wonder down into neighborhoods (mainly because people leave food outside for stray pets). Last year my mom freaked out because a cat was found mauled on the sidewalk of her street. She started keeping her cats inside (for a little while anyways).
Yeah cats can contract diseases from other animals. They usually get scratched up "defending" themselves from other animals.
Yeah cats can get lost. I don't know why you would think otherwise.
I don't know why you are trying to debate these. They are legitimate reasons to keep a cat indoors. Please do not compare pets to kids because it's irrelevant. If you own a pet that's great. Be responsible about it. If your cat is doing damage to other peoples property then you need to deal with it. I've been through this and i know how frustrating it can be. Ever have a cat scratch the hell out of your hood, front fenders, trunk lid and rear fenders the day after spending 12 hours detailing? Paw prints i don't mind too much, but deep scratches in the clear coat i do. If you own/rent property, you should be able to park your car on your property without having to worry about bs like that. People who own dogs don't let them roam the streets, neither should people who own cats.
If it is a specific cat you can talk to your neighbor and try to work something out. You can find out what you legally do about the cat. You can move. Or you can spend time/money/frustration on foil, pepper, mats, gimmicky devices, spray bottles, animal repellent sprays, fly paper, car covers and whatever else. I've been through it and it sucks. It's all about the garage baby!
thesacrifice
New member
itb76 said:
I also wouldn't let my kids get on other people's cars, crap in their yards, or eat their food...what's your point? If people can't be responsible owners and aren't willing to be liable for their cats actions while it's out prowling then don't own a pet.
---
"Garage the car" isn't an option for some of us and doesn't make us any more qualified to have your cats on our cars.
So, itb76 thinks a cat with claws can defend itself against wild animals? I'm sure a cat could defend itself against mountain lions, wolves, snakes, etc. Have you ever seen a wolf take down a buffalo? Hmmmm, I never see cats roaming around Cody, Wyoming. I do see well-fed wild animals.
Cats are without a doubt the most utterly worthless creatures on the planet loyal only to the next person who feeds them.
Cats are without a doubt the most utterly worthless creatures on the planet loyal only to the next person who feeds them.
It's funny how threads like this progess...Back on topic, my cat goes into the garage to do his business (via pet door). I noticed last week some faint dusty paw prints on the hood of my car, so I now leave the hood open since it only gets driven on weekends. The little booger still balances on the fenders for some reason, as I have noticed a couple more prints! And no, I do not start my car without knowing exactly where he is. Luckily, he jumps really well and is de-clawed up front...no scratches to date (knock on wood). I would say a car cover is the best bet for outdoor-stored cars, although the cats may use it to dig their claws on every now and then...definitely not good.
-John
-John
It strikes me that some of these posts are awfully neighborhood-centric assuming houses are right next door. In the country to advocate keeping a cat indoors is laughable. It's like telling me to put a diaper on my horse before I ride him down the street. Cats in the country often are kept to perform a useful service, part of the clean-up team. (Of course, polishing a pickup is laughable, too, so maybe it balances out.)
I quite agree and completely accept that the owner is responsible, but....
saying you are a detail freak and keeping your car outside is a contradiction in terms. If you really are a detail fanatic you will make the garage happen if you don't have one. If you don't take steps to protect your investment, you're not being responsible to yourself. It's like locking your doors and taking your keys out of the ignition. It's illegal to steal a car whether or not the keys are in it, but most car owners would agree leaving the keys in the ignition is asking for trouble. The thief is responsible, but we recognize that the behavior patterns of a thief are such that a little preventive care can lessen the possibility that he will target us.
The point is that there are lots of hazards to a finish outside; it's not just about cats, but about acid rain, pollens, bugs, storms, tree sap, gritty dust, hail, and birds. Ever had a Canada Goose splat your hood? It's not a pretty sight and it's HUGE.
So what are you going to do--sue the bird?
I quite agree and completely accept that the owner is responsible, but....
saying you are a detail freak and keeping your car outside is a contradiction in terms. If you really are a detail fanatic you will make the garage happen if you don't have one. If you don't take steps to protect your investment, you're not being responsible to yourself. It's like locking your doors and taking your keys out of the ignition. It's illegal to steal a car whether or not the keys are in it, but most car owners would agree leaving the keys in the ignition is asking for trouble. The thief is responsible, but we recognize that the behavior patterns of a thief are such that a little preventive care can lessen the possibility that he will target us.
The point is that there are lots of hazards to a finish outside; it's not just about cats, but about acid rain, pollens, bugs, storms, tree sap, gritty dust, hail, and birds. Ever had a Canada Goose splat your hood? It's not a pretty sight and it's HUGE.
So what are you going to do--sue the bird?
Mariellad60
New member
mschuyler said:
Yep, out here the barn cats tend to stick around the barn where there's a ready supply of hell to raise with rodents, and the neighbors are pretty far flung, anyway. Roaming dogs, on the other hand, are a bigger problem. They usually don't hurt the car, but they cause plenty of other damage, like "playing" with livestock and fighting with fenced resident dogs.
Fo'real. I'm never going to have an immaculate car since I drive 120 miles round trip every day, about a third of it down gritty potholed roads, but I do what I can. And all of the above cause more damage than one of my cats lounging on the hood. It is kind of irritating to come outside in the morning and find HUGE muddy prints tracking neatly across a freshly waxed car, though. If I didn't know any better, I'd think they do it on purpose, because I seldom see them napping on a dirty car.
I know it's frustrating to have to deal with other people's nuisance animals. If you're not inclined to trap the cat and haul it to the local shelter (and I only offer this as a suggestion because if your neighbors with the cats are like my neighbors with the dogs your complaints about damage are going to fall on deaf ears), I have heard that the tin foil on a blanket works. As another poster pointed out, the worst cat damage is caused when something spooks the cat - then the claws shoot out and the legs dig in.
NickelPlated.45
New member
"The point is that there are lots of hazards to a finish outside; it's not just about cats, but about acid rain, pollens, bugs, storms, tree sap, gritty dust, hail, and birds."
Those things do not put deep scratches in my clearcoat but the cats claws do. All those things you mentioned are irrelevant after my weekly washing and nothing sits on my car long enough to noticeably etch the clear. But scratches do not wash out. The entire time i parked my car outside in the driveway, the only real problem i had was with the cats.
If a bird ***** on my car that's cool. I can deal with it. Birds have to **** too. But when a person buys a pet then lets it roam wildly around the neighbor to do as it pleases, yeah i have a problem. I don't see why people try to argue for cats like they're some sort of exception to the rule. If you live in a residential neighborhood where houses are right next to each other, and you can't keep your cat indoors, then maybe you shouldn't own a cat. If you live in the country or on acres of property then it's a different story.
I guess on the other end someone could say don't buy a nice car unless you have a garage to park it in. But like i said before, when i was parking outside the biggest problem i had was with the cats effing up my hood and fenders.
Those things do not put deep scratches in my clearcoat but the cats claws do. All those things you mentioned are irrelevant after my weekly washing and nothing sits on my car long enough to noticeably etch the clear. But scratches do not wash out. The entire time i parked my car outside in the driveway, the only real problem i had was with the cats.
If a bird ***** on my car that's cool. I can deal with it. Birds have to **** too. But when a person buys a pet then lets it roam wildly around the neighbor to do as it pleases, yeah i have a problem. I don't see why people try to argue for cats like they're some sort of exception to the rule. If you live in a residential neighborhood where houses are right next to each other, and you can't keep your cat indoors, then maybe you shouldn't own a cat. If you live in the country or on acres of property then it's a different story.
I guess on the other end someone could say don't buy a nice car unless you have a garage to park it in. But like i said before, when i was parking outside the biggest problem i had was with the cats effing up my hood and fenders.
SRB Guy said:
I don't think a car cover is the answer for cars stored outside, unless it isn't driven often. Put some mothballs in some old socks and place them on the hood of your car. I don't think your cat will be interested in jumping on the fenders anymore.
STG said:
I live in West Michigan, not Wyoming.
STG said:
Not so, they control rodents.
STG said:
Ya got that right.
It's interesting how emotional people get about cats. Managed properly they don't have to be a nuisance to the neighbors. In my case I'm in a fairly rural area (no wolves though), and only one of my neighbors keeps a car outside. If he has any problems he can be sure I will address them.
ProStreetCamaro
New member
Trap them and take them to the shelter. Thats the most ethical thing to do. I wont discuss what else is going through my head right now.
2005tundra
New member
I have found that a low powered pellet or bb gun is a great deterant for keeping animals from coming on your property. You just have to go lee harvey oswald on them
imported_Sludge1
New member
2005tundra said:
You might want to reconsider that suggestion. :rules:
Alley Cat Rescue > Newsletter Articles > Do BB Guns Hurt?
Do BB Guns hurt animals or are they just "deterrents"?
Many years ago, when I lived in South Africa, I used to argue with my brother, a very intelligent, smart engineer, about this. He would shoot at any stray cat who came into the yard. He said the pellet just "stung" and the cat would not come back.
It is amazing how many people believe this, or perhaps don't care if the cat does get hurt. Rich Stallcup of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory advised his readers to "try a BB or pellet gun. There is no need to shoot toward the head, a good sting on the rump seems memorable for most felines, and they seldom return."
The reason they "seldom return" may be because they are dead or severely injured.
The National Rifle Association says: "AIR GUNS ARE NOT TOYS! Improper handling due to carelessness or ignorance can cause injury or even death. "
In 1995, Newsweek reported that teenage boys had killed a girl with a BB gun. They also reported that a Chicago children's hospital had a number of injuries where the BB had penetrated the skull and the brain.
Another organization advocating the use of pellet guns for cats is the United States Armed Forces Pest Management section.
BB guns CAN inflict lethal wounds. Even if the animal does not drop down dead after being shot, the pellet can eventually cause infection and a slow, agonizing death.
Sick (in the BAD sense of the word)
Do BB Guns hurt animals or are they just "deterrents"?
Many years ago, when I lived in South Africa, I used to argue with my brother, a very intelligent, smart engineer, about this. He would shoot at any stray cat who came into the yard. He said the pellet just "stung" and the cat would not come back.
It is amazing how many people believe this, or perhaps don't care if the cat does get hurt. Rich Stallcup of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory advised his readers to "try a BB or pellet gun. There is no need to shoot toward the head, a good sting on the rump seems memorable for most felines, and they seldom return."
The reason they "seldom return" may be because they are dead or severely injured.
The National Rifle Association says: "AIR GUNS ARE NOT TOYS! Improper handling due to carelessness or ignorance can cause injury or even death. "
In 1995, Newsweek reported that teenage boys had killed a girl with a BB gun. They also reported that a Chicago children's hospital had a number of injuries where the BB had penetrated the skull and the brain.
Another organization advocating the use of pellet guns for cats is the United States Armed Forces Pest Management section.
BB guns CAN inflict lethal wounds. Even if the animal does not drop down dead after being shot, the pellet can eventually cause infection and a slow, agonizing death.
Sick (in the BAD sense of the word)
just get one of those ultrasonic animal repelling devices. non-lethal, effective, and readily available. it might make the neighbors' dogs crazy (don't know if you live in apartment, house, condo...) though.
don't hurt the animal. if anyone hurt my pet, they'd probably fall victim to serious bodily harm. pets don't consciously go out to mar your paint (unlike the punks who key cars). if you want to take it out on the owner who lets the animal roam without taking responsibility, you'd be right.
don't hurt the animal. if anyone hurt my pet, they'd probably fall victim to serious bodily harm. pets don't consciously go out to mar your paint (unlike the punks who key cars). if you want to take it out on the owner who lets the animal roam without taking responsibility, you'd be right.
We have a cat. He's been de-clawed and stays indoors all the time. He's been in the garage on several occasions and has even jumped onto both cars. I spend hours upon hours maintaining and cleaning both cars but I gotta tell ya, I'd rather see a small cat scratch on my hood that engage in any kind of animal cruelty. Shooting a cat with a BB gun is just plain stupid and cruel and could even be lethal.
JasonD
New member
Guys,
A moderator has already politely asked everyone to refrain from any mention of animal cruelty, yet I still find myself removing posts containing them.
This is the last warning. Any kind of suggestion of animal cruelty will not be tolerated, and proper action will be taken.
Thank you all for your cooperation.
A moderator has already politely asked everyone to refrain from any mention of animal cruelty, yet I still find myself removing posts containing them.
This is the last warning. Any kind of suggestion of animal cruelty will not be tolerated, and proper action will be taken.
Thank you all for your cooperation.