Cat Conflict: 5 Tips for Supporting Your Bullied Cat

The phrase scaredy cat certainly exists for a reason. Some of our feline friends are more susceptible to being intimidated by other cats that come into their territory.

If your poor moggy is worried about the neighbourhood cats, here are some tips to support them.

1) Offer Hiding Places

Cats’ instinct when feeling threatened is to run and hide away. Help your feline friend feel safer by offering hiding spaces around the garden.

Plant tall grass and put out pots to give your nervous kitty some much-needed shelter from the scary neighbourhood cats.

Some cats will run indoors and seek safety when encountering another cat, so make sure you include some hiding spaces in your home too.

Shop our range of igloo cat beds.

2) Install a Microchip Cat Flap

If neighbourhood cats can easily enter your home, your feline friend is likely to be extremely stressed. Remember, your home is your cat’s territory and is supposed to be their safe place.

If you aren’t using a microchip or electromagnetic flap, other cats can invade your cat’s space. To completely prevent strange felines from wandering in, it is best to install a microchip cat flap.

Read our blog on Introducing a Cat Flap.

3) Use Supportive Calming Products

The presence of neighbourhood cats can be enough to make your feline friend nervous and unsettled. While not a miracle cure, calming products can help reduce your cat’s stress and make them feel safer again within their home.

The CatComfort Diffuser is a clever plugin that uses synthetic cat pheromones for continuous reassurance. These pheromones mimic the natural messages your cat leaves around their territory and help make them feel relaxed.

It is best to plug in the diffuser somewhere your cat spends a lot of their time. If you can plug in one upstairs and one downstairs, that’s even better!

4) Close Blinds or Cover Windows

Spotting another feline can trigger some cats’ anxieties.

Of course, it is very difficult to prevent other cats from wandering past the window or into your garden. So instead, try to minimise how often your cat notices the comings and goings of neighbourhood moggies.

Cats tend to follow routines, so keep an eye out for the times they come into your garden or property. Close the curtains, draw the blinds and offer your kitty a distraction.

This is the perfect time to initiate a play session. Remember, all cats need the opportunity to hunt their toys and stretch their legs.

If you are struggling to get your cat interested, our Guide to Playtime is a must-watch!

5) Speak to the cat’s owner

Tell your neighbour their naughty kitty is being a bully.

From here, hopefully, you can both agree on certain times to let your cats outside, so they can avoid seeing each other. This is beneficial for both of you as it reduces the risk of injuries from fighting and chasing.

It is also worth checking if their cat is neutered. Unneutered cats are driven by hormones and are more likely to wander far and get into conflict.

I hope this advice helps your cat find their confidence again. For more feline-themed content, explore our Cat Advice blogs.