Problem with cats in garden - advice needed

[Francis Asis]

Hi. I have a cat (Fang) who likes to sleep by the closed patio door (inside the house) so he can survey his domain. About a month ago another cat started coming into the garden and sitting the other side of the door and howling at the top of its lungs. It wakes us up in the night sometimes. If we go out into the garden it runs away.
Then last night another cat came and did the exact same thing. It was there all evening and Fang was going mental. I went out and eventually caught it and checked it over. It seemed in good condition with no injuries so I let it go and it resumed howling.
Then later in the night there was an almighty row in the garden and cat 1 and cat 2 were fighting and Fang was screaming from inside the house.
I cant take much more. Please tell me what I can do.

[daffy654]

Is your cat a female in season?

[Francis Asis]

No Fang is a neutered male.

[daffy654]

Hmmm, maybe the other cats are trying to assert their dominance over him then. Seems very strange!

[wolf63]

Is Fang a wimp? Does he go out into the garden to spread his smell around?

[Mosaic]

You've been lucky if you've avoided this kind of scene so far. Cats are utter sods with each other.
You need to put something outside that puts them off - but as they get used to things, you'll then have to change it.
A bucket of cold water with a loud shout tends to frighten them off for good if you get your timing right - but in this case involves you lurking, sleepless....

[Francis Asis]

He's not really an agressive cat but he's always stood up for himself. He's quite lazy but he goes out at lot especially at night. He's 7 and this has only just started happening.

[rowanwitch]

Sometimes it seems that neutered male cats smell like females... one of ours was the victim of forcible affection regularly by the local whole toms

[Francis Asis]

Rowan - would this happen suddenly though?

[Mosaic]

Well, if he's not top cat any more, they will be moving into the vacuum. You could always try drawing the curtains....

[wolf63]

In the short term why not get some of this stuff for Fang (love the name)


http://www.feliway.com/gb

[Francis Asis]

Thanks Bill (and your cat). So you think it will sort itself out in the end?

[owdhamer]

A woman over the road has 7 cats , why, most of them use our back garden as a toilet.

[ladybirder]

If you can bear it, you could have a look through here and see if it helps. But I think they'll probably sort themselves out eventually when one is established as the TC (Top Cat). Noisy devils though aren't they.

http://www.felipedia....itle=Feline_behaviour

[Francis Asis]

Thank you for all the replies. We've invested in a water pistol and earplugs.