Just Wondering...

[FuzzyDragon09]

What does it mean when the neighbor's outdoor cat hangs around your house all the time? This cat is like always in our yard. It's either hiding in the bushes out front, torturing our dog by the windows, laying in the grass, or sitting on the sidewalk staring at the front door. Oh and my mom saw it in the garage one day (we leave the door open).

Do we have rats or something? Or is it because it likes taunting our dog? I'm not superstitious but it's a solid black cat. Really pretty and doesn't get scared easily. I'm always asking it what's it doing when I see it and it looks back at me like "nunnya." I don't know about cat behaviors. Is this normal?

[Mzungu]

torturing our dog by the windows

I'd put money on this one.

[wvgdiscus]

If I not want the cat around a pot of hot water will do the trick.

[Nickintex]

If I not want the cat around a pot of hot water will do the trick.

Dude, not cool!:evil:

[Terrybo]

Maybe it is bored/lonely, and your house looks more active. Cats are a lot more social than most people realize.

Terry

[gotticgs]

do you have a cat ?

[cichlid1409]

If I not want the cat around a pot of hot water will do the trick.

no, a bowl of antifreeze. lmao

[Nickintex]

no, a bowl of antifreeze. lmao

[FuzzyDragon09]

I don't have a cat and have never had one. Uh, is my house active? We almost never go outside. We're also really pale and like tombato juice. JK. I just had to put that out there. Hehe.

Seriously, though, I park my car out front and my parents' cars are in the garage but we don't actually hang out in the front. I guess we're more active than the owners (I think. I don't really know where it lives). The cat people (suspected owners) live across the street and down one and I never see them leave the house.

We have a bird feeder that attracts alot of birds and squirrels. That could be it. But we've had it for ages. This cat has only be hanging around for a few months but before that the previous cats that hung around the house stopped when we got Sandy (our dog). And that was 7 years ago.

[Nickintex]

To oversimplify, cats are territorial animals. This cat thinks your house/yard is part of its territory.

[mahoro]

If I not want the cat around a pot of hot water will do the trick.

+1 with some onions, carrots and some celery...

[Complexity]

Your yard may just be more comfortable to the cat. We have cats in our yard all the time. I think it's because we have a lot of trees and bushes. It's a very nice atmosphere. The bushes give the cats a place to hide and explore, and the shade from the trees makes our yard very pleasant in comparison to most other yards. Of course, all this does attract more wildlife in general which also keeps the cats entertained.

So there is something in the environment of your yard that the cat likes. He might like that you talk to him where others may chase him off. He might be looking for attention even if it is through the torture of a dog that can see him, but not get to him. Or maybe your yard also has more shrubbery or trees or wildlife or whatever.

But, basically, he likes hanging around your house because he enjoys it more than the other yards in the area.

[Mzungu]

Have you ever fed the cat?

[imagirlgeek]

I have a cat door, so our cats are indoor/outdoor cats. They also hang out in the neighbors yards/under their cars/in their bushes sometimes. I know they aren't being fed at either place because 2 of the 3 DO NOT like strangers...unless you are Nickintex, who is apparently the Cat Whisperer, because he was able to pet one of them.

I asked them why they do it, but they aren't talkin'. Must be some private Cat Code or something. Personally, I think it's so they are far enough for a change of scenery, but close enough to hear when it's time to eat.

[FuzzyDragon09]

Oh that makes sense! I have talked to it some but have not gotten near enough to pet it. I don't know what would happen if I sat down next to it. I really like cats and most cats like me but I would still be a little worried about it biting me. Years ago when our Guinea pigs died and we were talking about getting a new pet I suggested a cat. I was the only one who liked that idea. So I got voted out.