My Pet World: Some cats pee on couches; other cats get dive-bombed by birds

Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Jul 13, 2022

If you suspect any of this is stress-related (Chanel saw a cat outside, you had company, you just moved, etc.), use plug-in pheromones in the room with the couch or put pheromone collars on both cats to help take the edge off.

Dear Cathy,

We feed three (spayed) feral cats in our yard and deck. They won’t let us touch them but are dependent on us for food and water. Recently, two blue jays attacked the cats. They terrorize them and won’t let them eat to the point where the cats are afraid to come into our yard. I have tried spraying the birds with water to keep them away, but nothing works. There is no place else I can feed the cats. Please help. I need some ideas on how to handle this problem.

– Dolores, Bethpage, New York

Dear Dolores,

When you say two, I hear “pair,” which tells me the birds are probably a mating pair trying to protect their young, which are probably nearby. If this is the case, the behavior will stop when their fledglings leave the nest.

In the meantime, you have two options.

First, get a dog kennel, doghouse, or other covered structure for your yard and place the cat’s food inside. This gives the cats a place to eat without being dive-bombed by the birds.

Second, feed the cats at dusk when bird activity is minimal. Cats are nocturnal, and these birds are not, so moving the cat’s feeding time to early evening is a simple and easy way to keep the peace.

Dear Cathy,

Love your column. I want to suggest that folks with dogs who have trouble walking on tile or wood floors to make sure their pet’s paws are trimmed of hair. My sister had a Husky who did better on floors when the hair growing between his paws was trimmed.

– Ciel, Andover, Connecticut

Dear Ciel,

That’s a good reader tip. Thanks for sharing it.

========

(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)