Neighbours Cat scratching my bonnet.

[Curious2]

What do I do ?

Because I'm in and out a lot during the day my bonnet is warm for most of the day and in this weather the cat from next door keeps jumping up and settling on it. It is scratching the soft paint on my E70 and driving me mad. My neighbours are reasonable people but have no control over the cat which is allowed outside all day long but kept in at night.

Can anyone think of any way I can deter the thing without resorting to violence.

[xl5]

get a dog.....


...or get a 'sonic cat repeller' for about £20....

[Don Coffey]

Depending on how good your existing relationship is with the neighbours will gauge what you do.  Although they can not control the cat whilst its outside they are responsible and my first cause of action would be to point out the scratches to them.  Maybe have a photo to prove it if they don't believe you.  If they can suggest a solution at least this has moved the issue on to their door step.  Failing that I would talk to the local vets and see if there's a product that can be sprayed safely onto you paint work that repels cats.  Maybe something cats can smell or taste that isn't noticeable by us humans.

Don 

[IvanG]

Unfortunately the neighbours aren't responsible as cats are "free spirits" in the eyes of the law; dogs are a different matter. You could get a car cover, or replace your E70 with a car you don't care about!  )

[Don Coffey]

If that's the case, I'd go straight to the vets/hardware store for an effective repellent.

Don

[X5Sport]

As said above I'm not sure that the owners can be held legally responsible as cats are still technically described as 'wild animals' which cannot be tamed in law.  Hence no cat licence being available historically, nor any requirement to report running one over - unlike you have to with a dog.

Morally yes they have a responsibility though, and if was one of my cats I would horrified but also be doing something to help - we now have anti-climb fences keeping all ours in our garden - to stop the issue.  We do have a neighbourhood cat that sits on our cars when the bonnets are warm but as yet no damage done.  It might have short claws.  Being long haired it doesn't like a freshly waxed car as it slides off, but if your problem cat is using it's claws that will not be a good idea.  That being said I could probably use the cat as a polishing cloth - though .i doubt it would be best pleased.

Sonic cat repellents do work, but only until the cat gets used to them, then they're ignored.  Of course you not being there doesn't help or you could use a water pistol as a 'motivator'.  If you keep chasing/soaking the cat, it should get the message that your particular piece of real estate is to be avoided!

There are some cat repellants about which do work.....but only for a while.

Richard

[xl5]

i want a cat to sit on my bonnet so i can go and buy a big water blaster pistol.... >:D

[Bmwx5 montenegro]

Come to me in Montenegro. I will give you medicine for cats called desert eagle .50 :p


Sent from my iPhone

[Don Coffey]

[quote="Bmwx5 montenegro"]
Come to me in Montenegro. I will give you medicine for cats called desert eagle .50 :p


Sent from my iPhone
[/quote]
.22 would do a better job without taking out the bonnet as well!

Don

[Bmwx5 montenegro]

We have a deal. Bring that pussy cat here:)


Sent from my iPhone

[Reusch]

If something is damaging your vehicle no matter what it is cat,dog or kid etc the owners needs to be told politely about it then if nothing is done sort it yourself  .

[surveysteve]

[quote="xl5"]
i want a cat to sit on my bonnet so i can go and buy a big water blaster pistol.... >:D
[/quote]

Thats probably the best option. If you can spare an afternoon/morning at all, sit with a hose or one of them big water pistols and soak the cat every time it jumps up onto the car.
It may take two or more times to get the point across to the cat, but it will get the hint,
This way the neighbours cat is still in one piece, you can still be friends with them (if you are) and they wont be pressing any charges against you for cruelty to an animal.

[X5Sport]

and you get to clean the car too......... )

[Benstan]

lion dung is an effective deterrent to keep domestic cats at bay.  Fine if you live near a zoo and you don't mind smearing your X5 with it.  Lemon juice is apparently good too (probably bad for paintwork though).

[shadrack]

i have a similar problem, all the nearby cats have taken to using my gravel as a littertray and my e30 roof (warm canvas) as a sunlounger, ive had words with the people to no avail, im a little stuck though as we have a cat but she is not outside at all (housecat) so dont know about a repeller outside??  im so sick of it the only thing i can currently think of is rat poison and wiskers!! however dont really fancy the repercussions any ideas?

p.s. sorry fot the hi-jack!