How to prevent cat getting into house

[RC1]

A cat has taken a liking to trying to get into our house through open windows. not sure if the cat is stray or not and even if it wasnt, not sure whether the owner could do much about it

what would be a good way to keep it away apart from keeping all doors and windows closed?

[Tonsko]

Water pistol.

[Simpo Two]

Open them less than a cat's width.

[dazwalsh]

A cat can fit into some very narrow openings so you woudlnt be able to open them very wide at all.

I think water is the way to go, when the cat comes near just throw a bucket of water over it, not the nicest thing i know but he wont come back in a hurry, and if it is a stray - free shower! simples *chirp*

[RC1]

whilst the water route is one of the more inhumane things id considered it might be the only option

how long will it stay away if either my wife or 15 month old son manage to blast it with a gun that im about to buy on amazon....

[Tonsko]

I was thinking of an actual water pistol, rather than a super-soaker. The latter would be a bit harsh.

[Denis O]

Tonsko said:

I was thinking of an actual water pistol, rather than a super-soaker. The latter would be a bit harsh.

Pah. This is what you need...

[RC1]

Tonsko said:

I was thinking of an actual water pistol, rather than a super-soaker. The latter would be a bit harsh.

in fairness my wife and i are averse to getting anything resembling a gun so might have to modify a empty washing up bottle...

[Tonsko]

That should work.

Or you could get a terrier. That's a sure fire, permanent solution. Depends if you want a dog :P

[Fats25]

Be prepared that scaring the st out of the cat, will literally probably scare the st out of the cat, and leave you a little mess to tidy up.

I had a cat that used to do this in a previous house, and I used to clap my hands at it and it would run out. One day I did not notice it was fast asleep, and I did the normal cat clapping routine, and it woke up, st all over the carpet, before running out the house. It never came back after that though........

[Marf]

Tonsko said:

Water pistol.

Filled with weak lemon squash

Cats hate citrus, douse it liberally with lemon squash and it'll not forget having to lick it out of its fur for a while!

[ukwill]

Fats25 said:

Be prepared that scaring the st out of the cat, will literally probably scare the st out of the cat, and leave you a little mess to tidy up.

I had a cat that used to do this in a previous house, and I used to clap my hands at it and it would run out. One day I did not notice it was fast asleep, and I did the normal cat clapping routine, and it woke up, st all over the carpet, before running out the house. It never came back after that though........

[Paul Drawmer]

[McHaggis]

Water is fair, even a glass full thrown over it will probably prevent a return. Or buy some cat pepper and put it round the outer window sill.

I like cats, but wouldn't mind if our neighbours threw water at ours if it was in their house.

[Marf]

McHaggis said:

I like cats, but wouldn't mind if our neighbours threw water at ours if it was in their house.

Ditto.

When I first got Ben from the Rescue centre he would sneak into my neighbour's house and go to sleep on their bed. Told them to chuck a glass of water over him the next time he did that and lo and behold he never went in their house again.

[omgus]

Marf said:

Filled with weak lemon squash

Some Cats hate citrus, douse it liberally with lemon squash and it'll not forget having to lick it out of its fur for a while!

One of mine loves it.

As fo the water pistol it is pretty harmless to them as long as it is just water, i used it to stop them going onto the kitchen worktops. If my two even see me move my water pistol now they both go for a walk outside.

[Marf]

Well, you learn something every day!

[omgus]

She is a very strange cat, she treats orange peel like catnip, rubs her face in it, licks at it and then goes off for a mad half hour.

[Marf]

Sounds like the exception that proves the rule!

[McHaggis]

My last cat ate mushroom peelings and strawberry jam....