Advice to keep neighbohood cats out... (dog, litter, stray, butt)

[tagylyn]

My kittys are indoor/outdoor cats. We just moved 2 months ago to a new house (in a new state).
We installed a cat door between the house and garage (litter box in there), and when we are home we will crack the garage door about a foot so they can roam in and out.
We have noticed that neighborhood cats are coming in the garage (going after Mikey and Jamie). Since we are home they run when they hear us.

I was at work this evening and DH texted me when he left for work that he left the garage door cracked because Jamie wasn't in yet.
When I got home, as I was unlocking the front door I could hear cats fighting.
A neighborhood cat had come into the house. I had it happen to me a few times back in Baltimore but as soon as they seen me, they left and never came back.
There are 3 cats in particular here at the new house, there's JJ that lives several doors down. He's not very aggressive, he's just trying to make friends. He no longer runs from me.
There's a big calico that doesn't really pay any attention to my cats.
Than, there is a grey tabby. Who runs like crazy when sees/hears me or husband and is aggressive. I've seen him chase my cats and he started to come in through the cat door once but I happen to standing there and he backed back out and hauled butt.

I heard the cat run out but I didn't see which cat it was. I believe it's the grey one. JJ only comes to the edge of the garage (that I know of).

What can I do to deter the cats away? Out of my garage and house.
(Besides keeping my kitties indoors 24/7)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

You already know the answer to your quesiton. I had an adopted outside cat that I turned into an inside cat after he got hit by a car and had a jaw broken in 2 places. He was fine. I think we give animals too many of our emotions. Cats need to be warm, fed, and dry, with company, to be happy. They don't need to go out.

[tagylyn]

I understand your reasoning and I respect your beliefs, but I do not have the same belief.
My cats are warm, probably overfed, most of the time dry, with lots of company and are spoiled, I own the house, extremely happy cats.

I am simply asking if anyone has had this experience and what, if anything did they do.

[AlisonL]

Close the cat door or the garage door. That will keep other cats out.

[ShelbyGirl1]

If your asking how to keep neighorhood cats out of your garage while the door is open....I would think it is a near impossibility.

[tagylyn]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

If your asking how to keep neighorhood cats out of your garage while the door is open....I would think it is a near impossibility.

That's what I have been thinking too. I think I was hoping for an amazing idea.
I thought about going out and buying a halloween creature that's motion sensored that makes noise and flashes lights and set it next to the garage door after I got my cats used to it first.

[tinman01]

I don't mean to be rude or insulting but. As I read this thread have yet to see anyone write about cat owner responsibilities. Let the cat out so it can wonder? What does it do when not supervised? I'll tell you what cats in my location do.
They dig in my landscaping.
They pee on my house and cars.
They get into my trash.
They kill rabbits in my yard.
They defecate in my garden.
That is just a few of the things cats do when not controlled.
I know I could buy cat repellent for my garden and landscaping.
I know I can wait until morning to put my trash out.
I know I can park my cars inside every night to protect them from your cats.
Sounds like a lot of me doing things tho doesn't it? Why should I or anyone be forced to protect our property from your beloved cats?
If my dog took a dump in my neighbors yard I would clean it up. My dog doesn't though because I don't put it out unsupervised. Even if I did I have an invisible fence. It won't leave the yard.
My point being cat owners just like dog owners should take responsibility for their pets at all times. I have a beef with dog owners who are laxed also. Its not just a cat issue.
For those of you who keep their cats indoors and under control I applaud you.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Except if your cats grow use to it, so will the neighborhood cats. Cats are pretty intelligent creatures. Once they figure something out, and feel comfortable with it, they ignore it!

[tagylyn]

I have read and followed the cat forum for months now. I don't understand why everytime a person posts a question about their cat being outdoors, the thread is pursued with pet owners who don't approve of the cat being outdoors.
People do not have the same beliefs as others. It would be a boring world if they did.
Cats relationship with humans is as old as civilization and stretches back over 9,500 years, I believe they have as much right to be outside as I or you do. But that is my belief and you have yours and I respect that.
It's obvious if a person post a question they are looking for an answer, not a lecture. If you don't have an answer than don't post.
May I suggest a new thread - The Great Cat Debate - why a cat should or should not be outdoors.

[musicwriter]

we all have our own reasons for how we treat our cats. Ours stay indoors, and not because of no control or whatnot, it is because our town is overrun with strays, and it doesn't help our neighbor feeds them. Also, the road we live on has a lot of traffic, especially in times when people are going to/ from work, and school. It's only sensible to not let them outdoors, because the strays carry diseases, and also would not want my cats getting ran over.