Keep a Stray Cat and Your Cat from Fighting Each Other

Every cat owner wants their cat to enjoy the best life possible, and that includes being able to go outside as well. But outside, lurk other things as well––nature, adventures and....other cats. And not all the other outside cats want to be friends with your cat. How can you do your best to protect your furry family member when you can't always be by their side?

Steps

 * 1)  Decide if your cat may be fighting due to not being neutered. Male cats are territorial and will fight to protect their space and the right to mate with females in the area. Neutering a male cat can reduce the desire to fight, and may make the cat more relaxed and easygoing. Female cats can get into fights with males 'suitors' too. The presence of any cats with a fully operational reproductive system, puts all the cats in an area at risk of getting into fights, and, increasing the feline population and making things worse. Unless you are a cat breeder, get your pet spayed or neutered.
 * 2)  Contact animal control services to capture the stray cat. You can control whether or not your cat is outside, but you cannot control where they go or what they do once they are out there. Similarly, you cannot control the presence of a stray cat. The alternative to such a situation is to either capture the animal yourself or to call local animal control or animal humane services. They come and capture the animal. Be aware though that although the animal may be put up for adoption, it's also likely that it will be put down if it has disease, displays feral behavior, or if the local shelters have no more room for it.
 * 3)  Make your cat an inside cat. This option will by far be the easiest to you. To ensure that your cat does not come into contact with the offending stray cat, simply ensure that your cat does not go outside at all. Cats are very independent creatures and can live simple comfortable lives even if they do not go outside. This is not necessarily a bad thing. By keeping your cat inside, away from the other cat, you could also be preventing it from contracting a disease, fleas, or encountering other dangers such as wild animals or cars.
 * 4)  If practicable, make your garden cat proof. Keep your pet in and strays and other unwelcome visitors out. Keep fences in good repair and add an angled section to the top so cats can't climb over.
 * 5)  Go out into your garden with your cat. Your cat can have outside time and your presence will deter strays, especially if you go out together during the day. If you go out before feeding time, you can encourage your cat to come in for its meal.

Tips

 * Be aware that in attempting to capture the stray cat yourself, you may end up catching another animal instead. It's best to let professionals handle this to ensure no harm to yourself, or untended harm to the captured animal.

Related wikiHows

 * Care for Your Cat
 * Grow a Pet Friendly Garden
 * Handle a Stray Cat
 * Keep a Cat Safe