How to Keep Away a Bully Cat

Cats are social animals, and outdoor cats establish relationships with other cats in the area. These relationships might not be positive if one cat is determined to become the top cat in your neighborhood. Bully cats are often, although not always, tomcats, and they can scare or fight with your pet. Sometimes dominant cats steal other cats' food, even coming into other people's houses to do so. Remember: In comparison to the bullying cat, you are an even bigger, tougher cat. You might be able to scare it away permanently, and if not, there are other options.

Things You'll Need

  • Water pistol
  • Bucket
  • Bleach
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Electronic catflap
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Squirt the bullying cat with water every time you see it. This will scare it off at least briefly. Tipping a bucket of water over the bully cat provides an unpleasant enough experience that it might stay away altogether.

    • 2

      Lock your catflap for a couple of weeks so the bully cat can't get inside and you can monitor your own cat's trips outside.

    • 3

      Accompany your cat each time it goes outside; reduce how much your cat goes outside if necessary. Sit and read or work on a laptop in your yard while the cat explores. If the bully cat makes an appearance, chase it off. Continue for a couple of weeks until the bully cat realizes that your cat is never alone.

    • 4

      Let your dog, if you have one, out at the same time as the cat. Your dog is probably bonded with your cat, but not with the bully cat. As dogs tend to be much larger than cats, seeing a dog around should prove intimidating to the bully cat.

    • 5

      Remove all traces of the bully cat's spraying with a solution of household bleach and water. Tomcats spray to mark their territory; removing the scent helps to convince the tom that your yard is not part of his territory.

    • 6

      Fit an electronic cat flap. You can adjust the settings so only a tagged cat can enter your home. Many electronic cat flaps work with the microchip in a pet, so your cat doesn't need a collar.