Even though she hadn't crossed the road for several months, my cat has started doing it again, and more than once a day at that. I live in a village, but the road running through it is very busy, especially with lorries, so you can imagine why I’m so stressed whenever I see her wandering over to the neighbour’s across the street. Why is she doing this? It’s probably because the people opposite have a cat of their own (spayed, just like mine). That cat comes over to my place from time to time as well. I reckon my cat can smell her and goes over to say hello, even though I get the impression they don't like each other very much.
I’ve been looking everywhere for a way to stop her from crossing, and I found some ultrasonic deterrents online that you stick in the ground. Does anyone have these, and do they actually work?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Translated from French
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I read that about the road... you clearly don't have the same local council as I do, I’d have been locked up! 😂
They don't know it was me, and since I'm in the building trade, I did a proper job of it and it just looks like any other pothole... heh heh.
No problem at all, and no disagreement from me either!
Plus, if your cat is called Bandit, then I like you even more! The same goes for your opinions and your insights!
I just wanted to say that a cat with the freedom to roam is inevitably going to be at risk, but as the song goes: "freedom isn't without its dangers, which is why you don't just find it wandering the streets and rooftops."
The main thing is to do everything we can, knowing what cats are like, to help them avoid any fatal traps.
I personally refuse to keep my cat cooped up because I’m lucky enough to live in the countryside, but I know that one day, he might not come home.
And I can shout at the cars all I want, but it doesn't get you anywhere.
Just so you know, I actually took a sledgehammer to the road outside my house to force cars to slow down – it’s illegal but effective, and I know the council won't bother fixing it! My neighbours are absolutely chuffed!
Just my own personal experience... we have two roads near the house... one at the front that isn't very busy and another much busier one... Bandit is a proper wanderer and crosses both of them... I've had issues with injuries from scraps with other cats in the neighbourhood... but nothing where the roads are concerned.
And Centpedigree, for once, I have to disagree 😉😉 I've watched Bandit, and if there’s a noise, he backs off and only crosses when everything is quiet... so he waits; he might not sense the car itself, but he definitely hears the noise.
And of course there’s a danger... but it’s their routine, their life, and you have to consider that once they’ve had a taste of the outdoors, they can't stand going back... It’s a matter of choice, but we're not going to reopen that debate... are we, Centpedigree? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
If you can, try to avoid parking your cars on the road outside your house, and your neighbour opposite too! Accidents often happen when an 'obstacle' hides the cat from the driver, whether they’re speeding or not. Cats don’t really grasp the danger of cars; if a noise spooks them and they live across the road, they’ll just bolt... and can catch the driver completely off guard.
No, the car is always parked off to the side here.
thanks
If you can, avoid parking your car on the road outside your house, and ask your neighbour across the street to do the same! Accidents often happen when an "obstacle" blocks the driver's view of a cat, whether they're speeding or not.
Cats don't really understand the danger of cars. If they get spooked by a noise and live on the other side of the road, they'll just bolt across... and catch the driver completely off guard.
Hi,
I definitely don't plan on keeping her cooped up indoors. She spends her nights at home, so I understand her wanting to burn off some energy during the day.
As for the road, well, there are roads and then there are *roads*... the one in front of my house is getting busier and busier, unfortunately 😠. I’d like to think she’s used to it; after all, she might have been living rough for a long time before she turned up at my place.
Regarding the ultrasonic devices, they aren't exactly cheap either, so I think I’ll give them a miss.
Thanks for your reply.
A cat has a very specific territory that they roam during the day, and I’d imagine that even if you haven't seen her there for a while, the road is still very much part of her patch. It obviously feels dangerous to you, but if she’s used to it, she likely knows to be careful when crossing... and unless you keep her confined to your garden, I don’t see how you’re going to stop her.
Besides, now that she’s had a taste of the great outdoors, she’ll be miserable if she’s kept in now... it’s your call, really.
Regarding ultrasonic deterrents, I’ve never used them myself, but I’ve read that some are actually audible to the human ear. They can emit a really unpleasant high-pitched whistle that might have the neighbours complaining, and they aren’t always that effective on animals anyway.
