Hey everyone! I'm dealing with a pesky local cat that's been really aggressive towards my two cats and has even come into my home to spray. I've installed a microchip-reading cat flap, so he can't get in anymore, but he's been camping out and giving the flap a good beating. I've heard he can break in through some cat flaps, so I'm looking for suggestions on a good deterrent. I'm considering a remote-controlled water system since the flap isn't near a tap, and I'm hoping to create something self-contained. Here are a few ideas I have:
1. A remote-controlled water pellet "mine" from Aliexpress. I worry about harming the cat with the pellets, though—I just want to dampen him, not hurt him.
2. Balloon poppers using heated wires to pop balloons, which could surprise him with a water balloon, but I'm not sure how well that'd work outside.
3. Modify an electronic water pistol to shoot when I hit a button, though I'm concerned it might be too slow to catch him.
What do you guys think would work best? It has to be remote-controlled to target the right cat specifically when I hear him messing with the flap.
3 Answers
You might want to consider setting up a windshield sprayer hooked up to a Raspberry Pi with a camera. It sounds complex, but it allows for precise control over the sprayer without mechanical hiccups. Just keep in mind how comfortable you are with hardware and coding.
Honestly, if this cat keeps causing issues, it could be worth tracking down the owners. If it’s un-neutered, it might be more aggressive; getting it fixed could really help. In the meantime, there are some plants or chemicals that might deter it from your yard without affecting your cats.
Why not just go with a more straightforward solution? You could look into cat flaps that only let your own cats through with their microchip collars. That way, the intruder can't even get near your home in the first place!
You can also try putting up some physical barriers or deterrents that won't harm your cats—like citrus peels or certain plants that cats dislike.