Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some advice regarding my cat, Velcro. He is a large (16-lb) neutered 4-year-old male indoor/outdoor domestic shorthair cat.

Friday, I received an anonymous letter from someone claiming that my cat, Velcro has been entering their home and attaching their cats (an adult male and a 3-month-old female) in the middle of the night! As proof they provided a copy of Velcro collar, kicked off and "left behind in their living room." Velcro did come home without his collar earlier this past week! They do not say how he is getting inside, but I am assuming it is through a cat-door. I have a cat-door and up until now Velcro has been able to come and go at will.

I know he will use other people's cat doors to enter an apartment. I have a friend with 3 cats (1 older female, 1 medium sized female, and 1 small timid male) in an apartment near mine and Velcro has entered her home to help himself to her cat food. He tends to be overweight and does go searching for food if I don't give him "enough". I asked her if he has ever been aggressive towards her cats. She said no, not really any more than would be expected in response to her cats. Her cats are smaller than and less dominant though.

I am not sure if it is relevant but I have seen Velcro behave aggressively toward me and my 28-pound 15-month-old Icelandic Sheepdog. Velcro did ambush the dog at one point teaching the dog that he has claws and can cause pain. At the time I just figured this was Velcro asserting his position as "top dog" in the household.

Velcro has always been very close to me and does not like the competition for my attentions. Both animals show quite a bit of jealousy about the other. I have tried to show more attention to each animal and to scold each whenever they behave aggressively towards me or the other.

I also moved into my neighborhood about 1 year ago. Velcro has engaged in the usual cat conflicts (including some scratches) as he has established his particular position among the other cats. He doesn't seem to be the "King of the Cats" here. That role seems to be taken by Tiger an equally large, more aggressive tabby male.

The letter suggested that I "do the right thing" and "keep [my] cat inside at all times and not allow him to roam outside day or night". They also say they are "convinced he is intent on killing one - or both- of my cats."

I am not sure what to do. I can't discount what the letter says, but I can't confirm it or obtain additional details as they didn't sign it or include their return address. Can cats be aggressive enough to "attach" another cat inside the other cat's home? Would an adult cat "attach" a kitten? How should I deal with this situation? I don't want to "ground" Velcro for the rest of his life. But don't know if I have any choice!

I have worked very hard not to raise an aggressive dog. I find it more than ironic that now I seem to have an aggressive cat. I love my cat and would do anything to keep him out of trouble or harm.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions as to where else I should look for information, please write.

Thank you very much.
Cynid Kelly

It is conceivable that Velcro could be aggressive even in another home - he might have been surprised by the cats already in residence and have attacked.

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

You know, I origonally got Myrtle spayed so she could go outside as she pleases without getting pregnant. But now that she is, I don't want her out there.
After coming to this site and hearing statistics and all of that, I'm come to realize that it's just too dangerous! Aside from cars that could run them over, their are ferral dogs and other wild animals that can injure or kill a cat. Especially one with aggressive tendencies and won't want to back down from a fight. Then their are feral cats, and they'll mess your cat up awful!
My cat Lucy had a brother, a twin who was a fighter and let outside alot. This cat was so mangled and scarred by the time he was two years old from all the fights he was in. Keeping him inside may seem cruel atfirst, but when you consider that indoor/outdoor cat's average lifespan is about 2 years, you're doing him a huge favor by keeping him inside. Especially if he's going into other people's homes. Not everyone in your neighborhood may like cats or even tolerate them. I've heard of people who will shoot a dog for wandering into their yard or territory, it's really very frightening to think of your cat going into other peoples houses. Even if they like cats, you don't know what sorts of chemicals they keep and where or anything at all! I'm sorry you're having this problem, but you cat does not know boundries and it's a thousand times safer for him indoors (safer for him and more considerate of your neighbors, who could claim your cat is a "nuisance" and even call in animal control). Also, alot of people around here buy harnesses and leashes for their cats so they can take them outside without them running off. Maybe you could do something like that!

Destany
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Myrtle - Queen Diva Mommy Cat
April - Little Miss Beauty Pagent
Mina - Professional Kitty Acrobat
Ringo - Brat Extraordonaire

I agree that keeping Velcro in is the best for him. As for the letter it seems rather strange to me. They tell you to do the responsible thing and keep your cat in. That your cats goes into their home and fights with their cats. The only way I can see him getting into their home is by a open door, window or cat door. That means their cats are alloud to go outside and roam around at free will.
It's up to you but I would keep Velcro in. These people might bring Velcro to a shelter or worse hurt him the next time he enters their home.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker